The Streets

After taking garage and two-step to unexpected creative heights on Original Pirate Material and then dropping a mind-blowing concept album about a slacker everyman's fame, fortune and fuckups, Mike Skinner was driven to record his own Hotel California. Or so it might seem, on an album that begins with a coke-wasted Skinner whining, "I don't want anyone I know to see me like this" and ends with a real-life clip of his melting down on stage.

Constantly winking conversationalism

Related Content

• Snap to It
  December 14, 2006
• Another Bump
  July 5, 2007
• God Save the Scene
  December 23, 2004
• God Save the Scene
  December 23, 2004
• A Fable
  May 20, 2004

More About

• Mike Skinner
• Video Games
• Religion

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

But the Cockney conversationalist who finally made British rap sound brilliant is too smart and talented to let rock-star excesses -- and the even greater excesses of writing about them -- derail him. Still able to manufacture killer hooks from nursery-rhyme chants and video-game rhythms, Skinner chronicles his descent with a constant wink. Even "Never Went to Church," a tribute to his late father, is cheeky enough to swipe its tune from "Let It Be" and closes with an irreverent quip. Perhaps Skinner will have to dig deeper to achieve another masterpiece, but until he makes a record that isn't great, who cares?