Review: The Streets – Computers And Blues

Artist: The Streets
Album: Computers And Blues
Genre: Hip Hop/Indie
Label: Atlantic

Artist: The Streets
Album: Computers and Blues

2011 marked the release of the fifth album by The Streets called Computers and Blues. For those who have not heard of The Streets, the project consists of Mike Skinner who hails from Birmingham, England, and is a rapper, musician and producer. After finding popularity in 2000 with Original Pirate Material, the last decade has seen a steady increase in the act’s fan base, perhaps more notably in the United Kingdom than in the U.S., but despite this, it has been widely publicised that ‘Computers and Blues’ marks the end of The Streets due to Skinner’s distaste for what the act has become known for.

With this in mind, it would have been correct to assume that it would be one last hurrah, something complimentary to add to the Streets name. Opposed to a testament to previous releases, ‘Computers and Blues’ is a strange affair. While being heavily reliant on effects and surreal musical additions, it falls short of being the ‘one more banger’ that Skinner predicted it would be.

From the beginning of “I Love My Phone” and through to “Blip on a Screen” and “OMG,” there is a noticeable reduction of the usually impassioned Skinner, the lyrics seeming hashed out and the emotion missing. Sadly, this sets the tone for the whole release, the whole album seeming thrown together as quickly as possible and not up to par with the rest of the Streets discography. Even with the addition of multiple guests- Robert Harvey of the Music and Laura Vane of Laura Vane and the Vipertones to name a few- this release seems like a shell of what it could have been. The music and ideas are there, but it seems that Skinner was unable to objectify his distaste for the Streets brand when creating this album.

As the last release from a band with a varied back catalogue, it really is a shame for their final album to seem so passé. Computers and Blues is the perfect example of an act wanting to go out on a bang and instead ending on what can only be described as a whimper.

Score: 3/10
Review written by: Naomi Carson

James Shotwell
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