For those willing to broaden their horizons (and for those curious as to what the hype for "The Streets" is all about), listening to "The Streets" is a huge step in the right direction, though “The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living” isn't the best album to start off with.
If you really want to be a smart consumer, you'll want to start by checking out "The Streets'" first album “Original Pirate Material” then their second album “A Grand Don’t Come For Free” before buying “The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living.” Sure, you'll be buying more music this way, but it's worth it for the fact that you're broadening your music horizons and for the personal delight that you enjoy music your friends (probably) have no idea exists.
"The Streets" is Mike Skinner, a British MC with a heavy accent and an appreciation for a variety of sounds, from two-step to techno “Original Pirate Material” succeeded in mixing a variety of sounds into a completely original sonic palette of computerized percussions, orchestra flourishes and electro-sampling.
Skinner's second album, “A Grand Don’t Come For Free,” is less sonically diverse, but provides a more complete listening experience because the entire album is one long narrative of one or two days in the life of Mike Skinner.
“The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living” takes a departure from “A Grand’s” album-length narrative, though remnants of that album exist on this one. The production is crisper and easier on the ears here in comparison to “Original Pirate Material” and “A Grand,” and it lets the hooks and melodies (which are as good here as they ever were) take more prominence.
Besides the more focused production, the emphasis on hooks and choruses differentiates this album for the rest of the albums in "The Streets'" catalogue.
Lead single and best song on the album, "When You Wasn't Famous," is a hooky, witty, fun song full of as much self-referential humor as the rest of "The Streets'" catalogue.
Long-time fans will be disappointed that Skinner seems to take less risks this time around. Some of the best moments on Original Pirate Material were the catchy segue-songs such as "Sharp Darts" and "Geezer's Need Excitement" found buried within the rest of the album. Experiments such as there are nowhere to be found on The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living. Also, the obvious flaw of this album to those who have been following the career of Mike Skinner is that this album is written from the perspective of someone who's made it in the industry and even become famous, which is opposite of what “Original Pirate Material” was all about. But when you separate the music of “The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living” with the external circumstances of Skinner's career, what's left is an album as engaging and memorable as anything else Skinner has done.
If you think you're ready to experiment with new types of music, "The Streets" might be too far of a leap to start off with, but eventually (and hopefully) you'll be able to appreciate The Streets for being one of this century's most original artists. Deal with the fact that the best music being produced today isn't exactly the music that sells the most, deal with the fact that "The Streets" is British, deal with the fact that music isn’t confined to one genre or formula, and your appreciation for music will forever be changed.
BEST TRACKS: "When You Wasn't famous," "Hotel Expressionism" and "Can't Con an Honest John."
FURTHER LISTENING: Lady Sovereign, Vertically Challenged; Dizzee Rascal, Boy in Da Corner.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
Entertainment
