The title is misleading for a start. The Mitchell Brothers' debut is about as fresh as a two-year-old curry. We’ve had loads of this sort of UK urban funk over the last four years, most notably from The Streets.
Indeed, once the record starts hopping from the stereo speakers, it comes as no surprise to learn that it’s The Street’s Mike Skinner who is essentially behind A Breath of Fresh Attire.
As the first signings to his The Beats label, it is he who produces, arranges and provides the all too sporadic bursts of quality which occasionally lift the Mitchell’s flat debut.
Skinner’s also central to its problems. A Breath of Fresh Attire is simply a watered down version of his A Grand Don’t Come For Free.
Though ‘Routine Check’ sparkles, it’s basically The Streets' ‘Not Addicted’ re-worked. Similarly ‘She’s Got It All Wrong’ is ‘Dry Your Eyes’ and ‘Could Well Be In’ spliced together.
As the record progresses, it’s as if Skinner has simply dusted down his old demos and handed them over to his protégés.
For their part, The Mitchell Brothers seldom aid their cause. Their tales of “birds”, football and unemployment are injected with a bottom rung-filth rather than any sort of sharp wit.
A big disappointment. If you own anything by The Streets, then you’ve heard this all before.