David James - Mean Streets

kobireferans

Review by Kobi Referans

Mean Streets by David James: A Raw, Unapologetic Blast from ‘81 If you’re into that sweet spot where Power Pop meets Rock & Roll with just a dash of Punk sneering in the background, Mean Streets might be your jam. Released back in 1981 on RIM Records, this album feels like a scrappy underdog who showed up to the party uninvited but ended up stealing the show anyway. Produced and written entirely by David James himself (props to D. James for wearing all the hats), it’s got grit, swagger, and enough hooks to keep you coming back. Let’s talk tracks. The title track “Mean Streets” kicks things off with this raw energy that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s not overly polished—thank god—and instead has this loose, live-off-the-floor vibe that makes it feel real. You can practically hear James sweating over his guitar as he belts out lyrics about surviving life’s chaos. There’s something about how the chorus punches through—it’s catchy without trying too hard, y’know? Like an old leather jacket that fits perfectly even though it’s seen better days. Then there’s “Heads Will Roll,” which is basically three minutes of pure attitude wrapped up in crunchy riffs. This one sticks because it feels dangerous, like walking down a dimly lit alleyway at night. The drums hit hard, the bass growls, and James sounds like he means every word he snarls. I wouldn’t call it subtle—it’s more like getting clocked in the face by rock ‘n’ roll honesty—but damn if it isn’t memorable. Every time I hear those opening chords, I wanna grab my air guitar and pretend I’m onstage in some sweaty dive bar. What strikes me most about Mean Streets is how unpretentious it feels. There are no fancy studio tricks or glossy production layers here; it’s just straight-up rock music made by someone who clearly loves what they do. And yeah, maybe the recording quality shows its age now, but honestly? That only adds to its charm. It’s messy, loud, and imperfect—in other words, human. Here’s the kicker, though: listening to this record feels like finding a forgotten mixtape in the glove compartment of an old car. It reminds you that sometimes the best stuff flies under the radar, waiting decades to get rediscovered. So next time you’re scrolling Spotify late at night, give Mean Streets a spin. Who knows? Maybe it’ll become your new favorite happy accident. Oh, and hey—if David James ever reads this, thanks for reminding us that rock ‘n’ roll ain’t dead. Even if it occasionally forgets to shave before hitting the stage.

Download David James - Mean Streets
Artist: David James
Album: Mean Streets
Rating: 4.67

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: david-james-mean-streets.zip
  • MP3 size: 14.2 mb
  • FLAC size: 105.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Mean Streets2:05
Heads Will Roll2:16

Video

David James,Heads will roll
David James - Mean Streets

Images

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Catalog Numbers

R-1200

Labels

RIM Records

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM

Companies

RoleCompany
Published ByWhite Publishing Group
Pressed ByPRI Record Pressing

Credits

RoleCredit
ProducerDavid James
Written-ByD. James

Notes

Single sided picture card as 'cover' and a sticker of cover photo included with release.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched): R-1200-A-PRI
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B (called AA on label), etched): R-1200-B-PRI
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped, both sides): MASTERDISK

About David James

American engineer, producer and musician. Worked at .

Name Vars

  • D. James
  • James

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Mean Streets* by David James, released in 1981, blends raw Power Pop with gritty Rock & Roll and Punk vibes. What makes it stand out? David James didn’t just sing—he produced the whole thing and wrote all the tracks himself. It’s like a one-man rock revolution. The track "Heads Will Roll" still packs a punch decades later. Not bad for a guy going solo on RIM Records!