The Streets

Crisp, hi-hat-driven, stuttering backing tracks provide the same sort of streamlined beats that made the Streets' debut such a find. Here, Mike Skinner further details his troubles with insufficient funds, long queues, broken televisions, and less-than-faithful women. "Fit But You Know It" is startlingly good.

The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free (Vice/Atlantic)<p/> Two years ago, when the
Birmingham, England, two-step musician Mike Skinner, a.k.a the Streets, released his debut
record, Original Pirate Material, he was hailed as a lot of things: the British Eminem, the
gutter poet of a loutish generation, the long-awaited pudding proof that limeys can rap, and
other such nonsense. Perhaps the hype pissed Skinner off; maybe he began to b... More >

Timely details--cellphone cutouts and charging problems, TV sex tips. Eternal truths--he's sure she's done bad stuff, but in the heat of argument can't remember just when. Dodgy plotting--obscure bit with Simone's coat leads to sad ending with a twist. A hook marks each chapter--right, chapter. This makes engrossing listening if the effort suits you, but it's useless as background music--behind Alan Sillitoe, Roddy Doyle, Dick Hebdige, the box scores, anything. (Grade - B+)