Computers and Blues explained

Computers and Blues
Type:studio
Artist:The Streets
Cover:Computers and Blues Cover.jpg
Released:7 February 2011 (UK)
Recorded:2009–2010
Genre:Alternative hip hop, electronica
Length:43:23
Label:Atlantic
Producer:Mike Skinner
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Computers and Blues is the fifth studio album by English rapper and producer Mike Skinner, under the music project The Streets. It was officially released in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2011. It contains 14 songs, including an appearance from British singer-songwriter Clare Maguire. Rob Harvey of The Music worked closely with Skinner on the album and features on several songs. The cover photo is a close-up of the Ziggurats,[1] Norfolk Terrace halls of residence at the University of East Anglia designed by architect Denys Lasdun. The 'Blues' part of the title refers to Skinner's beloved Birmingham City.

Composition

In contrast to the "self-indulgent meltdown" of The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (2006) and the '"philosophy for beginners" approach' of Everything Is Borrowed (2008), Computers and Blues returns to the garage instrumentals and "everyman" presentation of real life of Original Pirate Material (2002) and A Grand Don't Come for Free (2004). It is primarily about technology's control on society, such as romantic dates on Facebook and addiction to Xbox gaming. Although Skinner sometimes raps about topics typical of his earliest albums, such as drinking ("Without Thinking") and being a stoner ("Roof of Your Car"), he also discusses issues unique to his later years, such as struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome ("Trying To Kill M.E.") and seeing his daughter's ultrasound ("Blip on a Screen"). Occasionally, the rapper references science fiction writer J. G. Ballard. As Skinner laments on "Puzzled By People", "You can’t Google the solutions to people’s problems."

Reception

Sean O'Neal of The A.V. Club argued that despite some moments that "remind that he won't be easily replaced", most of Computers and Blues suffered from "rote rehash" in the lyrics, and "awkward nods to trends from a guy who once sought to push things forward", such as Auto-tuned hooks and references to internet lingo like "OMG".

Chart performance

On 10 February 2011, Computers and Blues debuted at number 22 on the Irish Albums Chart. On 13 February 2011 the album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 8. As of January 2012 UK sales stand at 42,000 copies according to The Guardian.[2]

Release history

The album was released in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2011, but was made available to Spotify Premium subscribers on 2 February.[3] A stream of the album was made available by Guardian News and Media on 3 February 2011.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University of East Anglia - Ziggurats.
  2. Web site: Indie rock's slow and painful death. The Guardian. 16 January 2012.
  3. Web site: Spotify Premium – The Streets final album, Computers and Blues | Free Spotify Playlists . Spotify-playlists.eu . 2 February 2011 . 10 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120319183342/http://spotify-playlists.eu/2011/02/02/spotify-premium-the-streets-final-album-computers-and-blues/ . 19 March 2012 . dead .
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/feb/03/streets-computers-blues-album-stream Hear the Streets' Computers and Blues – Album Stream
  5. Web site: Buy The Streets – Computers And Blues (With Play.com Exclusive Collector's Edition Poster) online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe! . Play.com . 17 February 2011 . 10 February 2012.