The Streets
>> Academy
>> 28th April 2006
Mad Mike Skinner eh. What else can be said? The Academy is jumping tonight and he knows it.
The Streets are out promoting not-quite-as-good-as-the-last album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, but I get the impression from the hit-filled set that this new album is just an excuse to get back on the road. The emotional It's Too Late, old classic Let's Push Things Forward and the stand-out of the night Blinded By The Lights are all given space on the set list despite the new album, and Mr Skinner & Co. make the Academy their own.
I remember Mike Skinner at T in the Park last year banging on about how he wants to write a number one anthem (as well as avoiding flying Irn Bru bottles from the crowd), and he can't seem to get over this hump as he tries to fit almost every number one I he could think of over his band's beats. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Don't Cha and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy to name a few.
However, The Streets are set to release another crackin' balled of their own, and who knows - a number one may not be too far away. Never Went to Church is arguably the standout of the latest album, as Mike pours out his feelings towards his late father. Tonight he looks visibly moved as the track comes to a close and Leo the Lion ad-libs the last few bars. But his mood changes to one of defience as opening track on his debut album Turn The Page kicks in, and out bounces Leo again (this time dressed in a boxer’s robe) as the atmosphere builds.
I’d also like to give a mention to the men behind the man. Side-kick Leo has a fantastic voice and really came out of shell tonight while the band (especially the drummer) are absolutely spot-on. When the drums speed was doubled towards the end of Blinded by the Lights, the whole place erupts and I get a flashback to a 1990 rave and for some reason have a strange urge to take Ecstasy…
Another great Streets performance comes to a close in Glasgow, and it’s only the piss-poor sound in the Academy that let’s the evening down. This new album may be lacking something, but he still remains the best observational lyricist out there. Fittingly, he makes the weak feel like heroes.
>> Joe Sach
www.the-streets.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thestreets
