Original Pirate Material sounds like simpler times. When Mike Skinner rapped ”Imagine the world’s leaders on pills / And imagine the morning after” on “Weak Become Heroes”, it was intended as an absurdist joke – nowadays, it seems closer to reality. In the 20 years since The Streets’ debut was released, the world has changed markedly. However, the record’s captivating combination of 2-step garage rhythms, socially-conscious lyricism, and sharp UK wit means it remains one of the 21st century’s defining albums.
From the spine-tingling string sample that opens “Turn the Page” to the bleak, stuttered piano sequence that closes “Stay Positive”, Original Pirate Material has a knack for sparking the…
