The Streets - 'Blinded By The Lights' (679)
5/5
By: Kevin Molloy
'Blinded By The Lights' is Mike Skinner's follow-up to the masterful 'Weak Become Heroes' from his début (both in such cautious consideration of UK club-life, and even down to a direct lyrical echo... he's a clever chap). Listening to the two in sequence, however, it's obvious he's progressed; even from such lofty heights as those he's already attained. It's just f**king marvellous.
There's this extraordinary capacity of relating the thought processes inside your head ('Menu - Write Message - 'So where are you and Simone' - send message - Dan's number... where have they gone?"') whilst making both poignant and assertive comments upon whatever he wants. Here, once again, he takes on drugs, but this time he's none-too-happy. As a cautionary tale it's perfect in its peerless candour and artistry. The only problem with it is that we enjoy the song far too much, considering it's inspired by the negativity of a bad trip. Still, far be it from The Streets' responsibilities to swear us off mind-altering substances.
'Blinded By The Lights' has that inimitable honesty of each of his releases; there's poetry in this kind of simplicity, which all too many people still regard as a gimmick. It's lyrics like the one that closes this single ('I'm maaaashed!') that put Skinner in danger of being taken as little more than a lucky upstart. But the day that he takes heed of any such criticism will be a sad day indeed. Pray, Mr Skinner, continue.
Artists in this article: The Streets
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