carl: A Grand Don't Come for Free by The Streets

I just sat down and listened to this from start to finish for the first time ever. Sent some messages about work. Fed the dogs. Pinged an old friend. I had heard a lot of the songs already. It’s hard not to know them after growing up with the singles being played non-stop on the radio. Maybe that’s why I didn’t bother with the album. I have a couple of friends that love The Streets, so thought I’d give it a chance. Hyper-relatable stories from start to finish, but I didn’t realise that it’s also a cohesive journey from start to finish. Definitely something that I should’ve listened to when I was younger. Empty cans is the perfect ending, and when it all clicked. Others have struggles and giving them opportunities do the right thing is always better than closing the door to them. And you have to be the person fighting for your own corner—it’s a reason to move forwards rather than wallow. Surprisingly personal one for me.

A Grand Don't Come for Free

2004