The Streets
The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (2006)

So, Mike Skinner has done it again, created an album of chatter, and unheard melodies. Now I will agree with everyone (well most of you) that his other two albums were good, the second being a welcome progression from the first, full of hit singles and great lyrics. Which is where I think Skinner shot himself in the foot, how do you follow an album like that, well unfortunately for the streets you don't!

Maybe at a stretch you can say that two of the songs make you tap your foot, but the lyrics and the melodies do not even compare to the poorer songs of the previous albums, "When you wasn't famous" is a good one time hit, but gets tired after a few plays. The constant references to drugs in this album become a cliché after the 2nd song, and the structure doesn't even compare to "A Grand Don't Come For Free" (their 2nd album).

The one part that warms my heart in this album, is track 8, "Never Went to Church", which Skinner wrote last year for his deceased father. Including this song in his album is a good testament to his father, and also the subtle way it has been released is a credit to Skinner.

All in all I wish I hadn't bought this album, but then in some ways I'm glad to have discovered that good things cant last.


+ Review by Chris

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