User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 226 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 180 out of 226
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Mixed: 18 out of 226
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Negative: 28 out of 226
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Apr 18, 2016
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Nov 30, 2015
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Apr 14, 2015Wow. This album is even better than the first. The Streets have an excellent way of telling stories in such a picturesque way that it almost feels more like a movie than an album.
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Apr 17, 2013An urban hip-hopera masterpiece. Mike Skinner is a genius when it comes to this type of thing and raps over a series of electronic samples and textures. Standout track is obviously Dry Your Eyes.
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Mar 2, 2013This album is big in the game! Tells a quality story throughout and tells it from an average person's point of view from getting high to heart break. Quality stuff!
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Aug 15, 2011brilliant from beginning to end,that all I need to say.
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EliTAug 17, 2009
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MattSJul 28, 2009
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DanielD.Jun 2, 2009I'm pretty sure I could also make an album that sounded "like nothing else..." unfortunately it would be total garbage, just like this one. Call it lost in translation, say Americans just don't get it, whatever you want....this is annoying to the ear right off the bat, and it doesn't change the 2nd time around, either.
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AlanK.Feb 27, 2008Excruciating. It may be supposed to be a parody of Eminem - it sounds a lot like Jilted John, which was definitely a parody of punk - and if so it's grimly hilarious. Otherwise...
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AP.Feb 20, 2008Really cool album! People who say that they don't get it just don't listen to the words or even the music. The story is really cool and the beats are backing vocals are great. (Try out Dizzee Rascal's Boy In Da Corner if you like this) It may at first be a little hard to get used to (being American, it's hard to at first get past the accent) but it's ultimately rewarding!
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pADDYAJul 15, 2007Got this for
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AlexPJun 12, 2007Americans don't get this record. LOL at Americans.
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MarkDFeb 19, 2007
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LaviniaHJan 19, 2007loved it
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dannywJan 13, 2007mint
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ColbyBDec 21, 2006
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AlexBDec 14, 2006One of the best albums I have listened to in a long time.
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PelicaineOct 28, 2006Some of the most unique beats I've ever heard. This album is well put-together. An enjoyable story that gets better with each listen. Get this album any way you can! A must-hear.
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ScholesyOct 19, 2006Better than OPM. MUCH better. This album is a true storytelling classic
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ChrisTOct 13, 2006Skinner is lyrically amazing. His songs flow is great, and is accent while rapping is an amazing asset to his songs. He can take really normal situations, and relay them in a perfect sence.
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SAVAGETOASTAug 8, 2006Not as good as the critics say. i'd recomend buying "original pirate material" by them. i find this album slow and preachy. A 7
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richardjJun 22, 2006Sorry why do you hype this man! He has minimal talent and is plainly musically retarded, wanna listen to a good english MC listen to Plan B, album out on 26th June in UK, hard hitting and relevant this is just totally Sh*T! Crap rhymes and Sh*tty beats!
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benkApr 23, 2006
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SimonEApr 21, 2006It's at least as good as his first album.
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jwMar 29, 2006
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TimDMar 29, 2006A simply brilliant album. Has to be heard to be believed. Great story
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sachepMar 28, 2006Incredible, unique, - a genius is born.
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TomRMar 19, 2006
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PaulVMar 11, 2006I hate rap, and I mean REALLY HATE. But this album? it's absolutely fantastic - It's just plain unique, Skinner has created an absolutely amazing, unique and creative album that has nothing else to compare with. Some nice easy background music. 100% recommended - and just to reiterate, I _HATE_ rap, but BUY THIS!
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JacksonAnimalMar 1, 2006
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davecFeb 28, 2006i love this album its great. blinded by the lights is awesome
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JoshSFeb 12, 2006A great follow-up album and depicts a young-single man's life with his mates, girls and money excellently
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DavidTFeb 8, 2006Reminds me if David Brent from BBC's The Office made a rap album. mike Skinner can't rap, he just speaks in a brit accent over crappy beats. How does this get such great reviews? Just awful
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PaulieJan 4, 2006The spirit of Ian Drury lives on .
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KelDec 1, 2005
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AlexHOct 11, 2005Will never top the first album, especially not with this effort.
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EmilTSep 2, 2005too sweet
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critic.xhost.roAug 7, 2005the whole album story is greatly depicted, very nice tracks and awesome beats, esp "blinded by the light" and "dry your eyes"
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rogersJul 28, 2005This CD is incredible. I can listen to it all the time and get something new from it. To Trust or not to Trust that is the name of the Game.
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ZachL.Jul 23, 2005This album is definetly best when listened to in it's entirety. Definetly unique and innnovative.
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ScottYJul 9, 2005I just didn't get it. It's highly-rated, but it seemed more like talking over electronica than music to me.
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JoelJul 9, 2005This album is difficult to define. It's like "The Office" meets "The Wall" or something. The quality of the rapping (or talking) and music is usually nothing to write your homies about, but somehow the end result works great. I've listened to it about five times now straight through, and I rarely listen to albums straight through. Great piece of work they made.
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ThomasMJun 19, 20051 of the best albums ever skinners jus wicked and it was the best concert ive bin 2 an its great music 2 get lost in
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AWeinkleJun 19, 2005A refreshingly contemporary, listenable hip-hoppish, gen Y Everyman. My daughters played it this week and this baby boomer was instantly engaged... bought a legit copy of the CD for myself
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mattaMay 27, 2005A great album and so special becuase MIke Skinner truly is making music like no one else. Original Pirate Material was, song for song, probably a better record, but this one is so intriguing and works so well becuase Skinner's ability to tell a truly engrossing story over the course of this cd's eleven tracks. great stuff.
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BriannaJMay 20, 2005I am AMAZED!
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JoyLApr 18, 2005Great Album. Even better in concert. Although for me Original Pirate Material is still my favorite Skinner album.
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LouiseBApr 11, 2005Now, I know a lot of you think that this album is shit.. but you're all wrong! There's no-one else I have heard that can make an album that tells a story the way Mike does on this. I also don't think that this is only an album for hip-hop lovers cos anyone who loves good lyrics, tunes and catchiness should love this..... but thats only my opinion!
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BRDMar 24, 2005He deserves credit for reviving the concept album. Might even be the most coherent one ever. The song about being on ecstacy in the club is great. There is a lot of obscure Brit-slang, which will limit accessibility in the US.
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bobbMar 24, 2005this is just some bloke talking over elevator music ain't it. the 1 is for fit but don't you know it vid, but the album is shit
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StoPMar 18, 2005
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brennenCMar 16, 2005Shit man! awsome : )
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AliRMar 14, 2005Confused and dull second coming that reaches for the stars but barely gets out of the earths orbit!
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ClaireMar 6, 2005great albumn and even better when hes live!!
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ElizabethRMar 1, 2005This album is amazing. Mike Skinner talks about the most normal things in the most minute detail that really makes you think. If you pay attention, the songs all together also tell a story, which is something I've never heard before. Much more polished and together than "Original Pirate Material."
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RyanCFeb 22, 2005Please. This man is single-handedly making 'chavs' (a new form of human street rat) accepted in my country. We must wipe these people out before they steal our precious time and money. Culture will judge you if you like this
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DerekNFeb 13, 2005
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flatulantfartsFeb 3, 2005yea!!
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ChriscFeb 3, 2005at the end of the record, you feel as if you have reached nirvana
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JeffRJan 31, 2005What the hell is this crap? What is it that I don't get that everybody else seems to? I don't see any musical insight in here at all. In fact, this CD actually was painful to listen too. Odd tempos, bad timing, tuneless singing (when there is any). This CD is amazingly bad. I always thought I had an open mind about music. Now I'm not so sure.
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mikeymikeyJan 30, 2005
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keithmJan 22, 2005Wow. From the first word I was swept off my feet into the middle of London, watching the world pass by with a new, fresh perspective. Who knew simple speech could be so profound?
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AdamMJan 20, 2005this is a great album that holds a hidden story if listned to correctli
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darrinsJan 16, 2005I dont get it. I mean, its creative, but not really my thing. I respect this guy, but hes far from being a lyrical genius. I hope this isnt where hip hop is heading. Personally, hip hop album of the year/decade is Madvilliany. This is more like techno with spoken word.
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JohnnyAJan 15, 2005I love it!
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BarryLJan 14, 2005This album is not an album. It's not even music. There's no harmony, no tune, and they don't actually sing. Not once. At all. Zilch. And at the times when they attempt to do so they are way out of tune. In short, S**T.
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joolzmonksJan 9, 2005Best album I've come across in about a decade. Well, five years at least.
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AdamRJan 4, 2005
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T.BoneDec 16, 2004
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AndrewPDec 15, 2004Great cd, but often a bit too much of a story than a song. The streets rule.
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SethB.Dec 2, 2004
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robinrDec 2, 2004Great album... nobody and i say nobody makes this kind of music.. inovative and extreem. Lyrics that people can relate to and maybe even some phylosofie in the tracks Brilliant
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BryanFNov 11, 2004This album was great!
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CiaránMcCNov 8, 2004A little disapointing thought the 1 album is way ahead of this but did like the beats!!
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AbiCNov 1, 2004this album is truly original and uniqe i give it 10 out of ten because i am totally in love with this album.
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bryonfOct 29, 2004A Grand... ...the answer to hip hop with meaning
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MattBOct 15, 2004
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SamMOct 12, 2004he's talking, thats it he's talking with a slight hint of a rythm plain bollocks
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JohnDOct 11, 2004this is what hip hop COULD be, but instead we have to listen to Petey Pablo.
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shabaroOct 7, 20048 for the originality,10 for the creativity of the samples and loops; 4 for not trying to take this to the next level; 9 for the production quality; 4 for trivial lyrics. total a well deserved 7.
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RyanMOct 4, 2004just 1 word for this album BRILLIANT !!!
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JonGSep 23, 2004Although not as revolutionary as OPM, AGDCFF still impresses the mind. It's obvious that Mikee hasn't lost his skill of master storytelling, but at some points the flow gives way to the story. Still, an album I will be listening to for years to come. Cheap too, making this as essential as the pricier OPM.
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stevemSep 7, 2004I hope my vote brings down the overall score for this terrible album. It's a shame I beleived waht was written in these high-score reviews for A Grand.... after listening to it, I 100% disagree with all of them. Come on people, you made me waste my money on a crap album. You're suppose to critics, not lemmings.
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DannyCSep 7, 2004
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AndySSep 6, 2004
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MattAug 29, 2004
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vincegAug 18, 2004This isnt just an album here; its a story. Mike Skinner transforms simple mundane daily activities into something smart and relevant without comprimising musical content.
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PHOEBEPAug 9, 2004GRAND DONT COME FOR FREE is a really majestic album. I find The Strees a great new breath of good shit. Keep it up, yeah.
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DJAug 2, 2004its of the hook
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brucehAug 2, 2004its good
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MarcJul 30, 2004How people can listen to The Streets in the first place baffles me! He doesn't sing or rap, he just talks! Who cares about listnening to stories about fast food and complaining about his broken TV, etc. The Streets for me, are overrated and just plain boring. And for his comparison with Eminem, he's not even in the same league!
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CJJul 19, 2004Crackin album, And wicked live act!
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AndreasJul 17, 2004
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GlenBJul 13, 2004Good because it's the streets, but really it's pretty average. I had high expectations after OPM but this is a poor follow up. Losing money in a TV? Come on.
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ihlfilugJul 11, 2004cool
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patrickmJul 10, 2004
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joedJun 25, 2004Class most of the songs are amzin the bonus track is simply class!
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ArnieGeezerJun 23, 2004
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JasonSJun 22, 2004This almost seems as a sort of homage to the narritive form that one would find in such rock opera's as Quadrophenia or Tommy. Yet, this seems to be executed much better than that. Yes, it's a story, but its a wonderful piece of music as well. It is good to know that someone in the hip hop genre still has innovation on their side. Mike Skinner does not dissappoint.
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Awards & Rankings
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Vibe11 frenetic, oddball, and extremely original tracks. [Jun 2004, p.154]
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The problem with "A Grand Don't Come for Free" is that the pieces often work better as stories than as songs.... But it is still a thrill to hear Mr. Skinner toy with the form that he invented.
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This makes engrossing listening if the effort suits you, but it's useless as background music.