True Classic
5
By Zinnerfonda
All these years later, each track holds up. Highly recommend to fans of all genres.
Rap is horrible...
4
By I already have a nickname...
Rap is horrible…but for some reason I like this.
Fantastic
5
By Leefly4
I love the streets, don't stop making beats Mike!
A snapshot of a mindset
5
By t1bbs
This album captures the mind of a (now) thirtysomething man in England. From the flashback ode to raving in Turn the Page setting the stage through social commentary on The Irony of It All, relationships in It's Too Late (there are too few honest male-point-of-view relationship songs) and closing with a reticent Stay Positive this is a seminal album of the 00s.
Introducing most of the wider world to 2-step, this is was the ambassador for the scene as more than just dance music. Quite possibly the UK hip-hip equivalent to The Prodigy's "Music for the Jilted Generation" this could be almost seen as a concept album (the weaker follow up albums are much more focused on concept).
Quite rightly voted EW's Album of the Year in 2002, if you can find it I recommend the radio documentary covering this as part of Zane Lowe's Masterpieces (I would rank the Masterpieces series as the best modern day music doc series - also see his coverage of Jilted Generation, Metallica and Stone Roses).
But first - buy this album.
Rap from England?
5
By Speed Racer 19
This album has some great beats! I was really surprised by how much I liked it. 'Turn the Page' and 'Stay Positive' are two of my favorite rap songs.
A Shot from the Dark
5
By phcool
In 2002 "Pirate Material" dropped seemingly out of nowhere. It is easily one of the best albums of the early 21st century, but an independent release with little fanfare didn't help sell copies. Now that the Streets has become a household name in England, it's time to revisit Mike Skinner's fearless first album. "Turn the Page" reveals the lad's vulnerability but also showcases his gift for metaphor. Nearly all the tracks are excellent and interesting, but strung together they create something truly special. Skinner's ability to find words for everyday peoples' problems is remarkable. He's a rabble rouser, an intellectual, an amateur philosopher, and a big-hearted youth. Like his second album "A Grand Don't Come For Free," "Pirate Material" is a showcase for Skinner's narrative style. The Streets has been my favorite artist since I picked up this album, and it rewards like few others do upon further listening.
Hilarious
5
By ~sunshinechild~
I Love everything about this album!
A Truly Unique Experience
4
By Celerant
The Streets makes me enjoy rap. And I normally don't. The sly, coy lyrics paired with sparse beats and a lack of self-agrandizement all contribute to a solid album.
They didnt give this enough thought, kinda terrible
1
By Almeister
refer to title
Entertainment Weekly's Album of the Year for 2002
5
By BenBaconBozeman
The word classic gets thrown around for every two-bit wag nowadays, sadly. "Original Pirate Material" truly IS a classic album. Entertainment Weekly named it their album of the year in 2002 (it was released in the UK long before 2004). Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, The New York Times, Blender, USA Today and the LA Times all nominated it as one of the albums of the year, as well.
