The Streets - Everything is Borrowed (679)
4/5
By: Various Scribes
BUY DOWNLOAD - £5.00 SALE!
There comes a time in everyone's life where they sit contemplate, thinking to themselves, just what the bugger is going on? Where did we come from? What are we doing? Where are we going? Mike Skinner has reached this point.
The Streets' fourth album Everything is Borrowed is littered with thoughts of the absurd nature of the present, the choices we make and what will happen to us in the future. Skinner has now donned himself a philosophically bearded style of commenting on life.
The opening and title track 'Everything is Borrowed' is an incredibly optimistic spin on the ideology of entering the world with nothing and leaving in the same way, backed up by an uplifting old skool hip hop style strings loop. "I came to this world with nothing but I leave with nothing but love," he recants - but it is not without the turmoil that unanswered questions present. "Just when I discover the meaning of life, they change it..."
'Heaven For The Whether' continues this up beat manner adopting a gospel style piano tinkling of chords throughout accompanied by said choir for the chorus. While enjoying life, the protagonist meets the 'Beelzebieng' and questions are raised as to whether the biblical moralistic lifestyle is possible or even desirable. Skinner further explores biblical themes with 'Alleged Legends', a track with jangling guitars over an organ and string bed, questioning the integrity of the "red book." Although it has a somewhat weak chorus, it throws up some valid perspectives.
'The Way of the Dodo' explores the stupidity and eventual demise of the human race, starting off with a mockingly moronic chant before launching in to abrupt guitar chords and a thumping base. An uncharacteristically speedy rap symbolises the blind, insular, no time or thought for anything else attitude. This is a strong track which really showcases skinners skilful manipulation of words.
Two tracks concentrate on the decisions we make and influencers on them. 'On The Flip of a Coin' is another narrated offering with a monotonous swaying melody exploring decisions in the so often fraught father son relationship, while 'Strongest Person I Know' has a lullaby-like tip toeing of a plucked guitar and piano combo creating a more feminine touch. Both tracks reveal a further dimension to Skinner's pallet.
'On The Edge of a Cliff' is a touching story of a man talked round from taking a swan dive told through thought provoking lyrics. One of the most full bodied tracks here, it adopts a style of 70's soul with wandering base, piano backing and melodic trumpet, whilst strings and guitar solos lay the bridge to the chorus.
Three tracks on the album strike as a bit odd and out of place, as if added as an after thought in order to maintain some form of contemporary social commentary. 'I Love You More (Than You Like Me)' is a swing piano-esque story of self doubt, 'Never Give In' a slightly sinister funk driven pursuit to bed a woman, while the staccato guitar funk of 'The Sherry End' with a spattering of screeching trumpets explores Skinner's love of word play amongst mates, reminding me of a friend's labelling of boobs as kryptonites as they were his "only" weakness.
The final track 'The Escapist' conjures a myriad of images throughout, the strings accompanied by a delicately plucked melody just adding even greater depth to this tribute to the mind's ability to wander off and appreciate the beauty that is around us. Everything Is Borrowed does have a couple of blips, but most of all it exposes how well the range of The Streets' producing has come on. Skinner has taken some time to think, taken a different direction and tackles some thought provoking issues yet still maintains a positive spin. If The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living was the hangover after the success of the first two albums this is surely the bacon and eggs to make you feel better.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment