The Streets

Being an autobiographical tale of the ups and downs that have followed Mike Skinner since the release of his critically and financially successful second album, 2004’s A Grand Don't Come for Free, it comes down to whether or not you’re interested in hearing about a rapper who’s spent lots of money, slept with a lot of women and got fucked up a lot. Oh, and it’s in a British accent, so it’s different. Skinner is first and foremost a lyrically dexterous storyteller — just listen to "Never Went To Church” and try not to hear Marshall Mathers in a sappy-song-for-Haillie phase. But besides the title track, it’s the only song that will stick around from this musical half-assed effort; the rest attempt to rely solely on his wit, and its ability to beautify what is essentially whining. And, what appears to be an album full of odd, boring beats.