The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
by The Streets
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31

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  1. AViewAM
    Oct 30, 2006
    7
    When I heard "Grand" (yes, I started with the second album first) I thought I was hearing a whole new phase of hip-hop blowing out of my speakers. Turns out I was partly right. Not as energetically powerful as OPM or as flowing lyrical as Grand, Hardest Way still manages to deliver the goods with even higher prod. values than before. Anyone who gives this album lower than a 6 has When I heard "Grand" (yes, I started with the second album first) I thought I was hearing a whole new phase of hip-hop blowing out of my speakers. Turns out I was partly right. Not as energetically powerful as OPM or as flowing lyrical as Grand, Hardest Way still manages to deliver the goods with even higher prod. values than before. Anyone who gives this album lower than a 6 has obviously come down with a nastly case of brain death.… Expand
  2. Constant
    May 5, 2006
    7
    Nice effort, arguably as good as the previous one, though it can't recover the freshness of the first album. And I love the way Mike embodies the UK embassador. Who would have thought you could decently rap with a Brummie accent? Amazing how wicked it sounds though, this guys proves a Brit flow is way much better than plain American. Watch Albion, that's where things are Nice effort, arguably as good as the previous one, though it can't recover the freshness of the first album. And I love the way Mike embodies the UK embassador. Who would have thought you could decently rap with a Brummie accent? Amazing how wicked it sounds though, this guys proves a Brit flow is way much better than plain American. Watch Albion, that's where things are happening now...… Expand
  3. DavidC
    May 7, 2006
    9
    I'm not a lover of "rap". I own some Jurassic 5 CD's but that's about it. The Streets appeal to a wider audience because Mike's lyrics (as with those of Arctic Monkeys) speak to the concerns of your average Brit. Listening to his albums, I laugh, I cry; these songs speak to me in a way no other artist?s work does. His Dad would indeed be proud.
  4. AlexN
    Apr 27, 2006
    10
    Critics love to criticise. It's the sad realities of the world. The fact is, have a read of the reviews. The bias is clear. Those that hate it feel that way before they've even heard it. The mere fact that it is a fame album makes them roll their eyes and go "h3ll no" before they've even given it a chance. Truth is, scratch the surface and you'll see that nothing has Critics love to criticise. It's the sad realities of the world. The fact is, have a read of the reviews. The bias is clear. Those that hate it feel that way before they've even heard it. The mere fact that it is a fame album makes them roll their eyes and go "h3ll no" before they've even given it a chance. Truth is, scratch the surface and you'll see that nothing has really changed. Mike is still doing drugs (Prangin' Out meets Blinded By The Lights), getting dumped (All Goes Out The window meets Dry Your Eyes), chasing birds (War Of The Sexes meets Fit But You Know It), engaing in drink and drug fuelled boyish excesses (Hotel Expressionism meets Too Much Brandy) and contemplating the boredom and meaning of his daily realities (Momento Mori meets Same Old Thing). He just happens to be telling the same old stories from the perspective of a very rich man. That's all.… Expand
  5. BrianQ
    Apr 27, 2006
    10
    Fantastic. His best effort so far!
  6. Duncan
    Aug 3, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. His best album yet.
  7. mattallen
    Apr 21, 2006
    9
    Wait, am I really seeing this? a 60??!!!! Unbelievable. So just because A Grand Don't Come For Free was brilliant and sold a ton of albums, Skinner is a sell-out? This isn't a pompous album about being a millionaire; it's entirely tongue-in-cheek and meant for laughs (except for the few more serious numbers). This is still below A Grand for me, but I think it is more Wait, am I really seeing this? a 60??!!!! Unbelievable. So just because A Grand Don't Come For Free was brilliant and sold a ton of albums, Skinner is a sell-out? This isn't a pompous album about being a millionaire; it's entirely tongue-in-cheek and meant for laughs (except for the few more serious numbers). This is still below A Grand for me, but I think it is more impressive both musically and lyrically than Original Pirate Material and there absolutely no reason that Stylus or Cokemachineglow should be giving it such low scores. Forget these reviews and get the album and see for yourself. One of the best releases of the year thus far, hands down.… Expand
  8. Kelvin
    Apr 25, 2006
    8
    A lot will be written about how bad this album is. About how Mike Skinner has lost his way. About how he has let fame go to his head. I will disagree with all of it. With The Streets, Mike Skinner has always told it how it is. He's a chronicler. A modern day Shakespeare. An observer of today's society and more importantly, its youth culture. But he's no longer the poor, A lot will be written about how bad this album is. About how Mike Skinner has lost his way. About how he has let fame go to his head. I will disagree with all of it. With The Streets, Mike Skinner has always told it how it is. He's a chronicler. A modern day Shakespeare. An observer of today's society and more importantly, its youth culture. But he's no longer the poor, anoynmous, everyday geezer. He's now a very rich and very visible man. And if he had tried to write another album about how much it sucks being broke, no doubt the derision and cynicism would have been even sharper, had Mike attempted to spin such yarns with a bulging wallet sticking out of his inside coat pocket. The fact of the matter is, this album is just as observant and just as 'real' as his previous two stellar works. As NME said in their review, "it is an album about fame that people who aren't famous can relate to". How true. Because this album explores the question that we have all asked at one time or another. What would life be like if I had a lot of money, and were really quite visible? For me, what makes this album work is that there is no disconnect between Mike and myself. Never once does it come across like the musings of a pampered celebrity, who considers himself to be above my lowly station in life. He's still the geezer. That guy that you know from across the road. You know the type. The one that has all the witty anecdotes, knows a million funny stories and always has a clever scheme on the go. His personality hasn't changed. Only his day-to-day realities. The album still sports scenarios that we can all relate to. Love, loss, chat up techniques, con jobs, gambling addictions, gross materialism, binge drinking, excessive consumption of narcotics and the death of loved one's. And you smile and shake your head at the antics of this loveable scamp, because you know in your heart of hearts that if you were in the same position, you would probably do the exact same things. But it's not all doom and gloom, like most celebrity tirades tend to be. The album is very eclectic in its tone, with a good mix between the serious, the slapstick, the sombre, and all points in between. If nothing else, this album is superior to the first two, from a technical perspective. The production has been upped, and no longer sports that rough and ready DIY style that he has employed in the past. Whether you consider this to be a good or a bad thing is up to yourself. I look at it as healthy progression. He is, after all, three albums in now. In saying that, however, the beats are still made up of the familiar Streets trademarks of low, rumbling basslines, lush piano chords, hard-driving guitar riffs and trance samples. Similarly, his vocals and delivery have been ramped up to another level as well. He's now almost genuinely rapping at times, such is the newfound pace, energy and flow of his delivery. Clearly a sign of a man confident in his craft. To sum up, don't let the rushed reviews and soundbites fool you. This isn't the celebrity moan that you've been led to believe that it is. There's a good 50-50 split here between such tracks, and his more standard observational ones. On the point of the latter, look out for War Of The Sexes, Can't Con An Honest John, Never Went To Church and Two Nations. If you fear that Mike Skinner has lost touch with the people, then they should put your mind at ease. In saying that, however, this album was inevitable. Hip hop music is based primarily on the device of young, ordinary people and their lives. So when the artist becomes rich, it poses a songwriting quandry, one that is usually solved by writing about life after success. I don't think that this album should be slammed for that alone. True, it's not as good or as essential as his first two efforts, but on its own merits, it's every bit as witty, clever and ultimately, as relatable as they were. I highly recommend it. 8/10.... report this review… Expand
  9. derayr
    Apr 25, 2006
    10
    Mike skinner is the king of white rappers this is a definite album of the year contender. Paul wall should not have a record contract.
  10. joshw
    Jun 13, 2006
    8
    good fun
  11. RogerS
    Apr 24, 2006
    9
    I really like the last two Street's CDs so this one is adds more to those experiences. "A Grand to Come for Free" was about losing your money and not trusting anyone while, "The Hardest Way to Make and Easy Living" is about getting money and not trusting anyone. Mike had a shitty life before and seems to still have a shitty life. Both the CDs say something when put together. For I really like the last two Street's CDs so this one is adds more to those experiences. "A Grand to Come for Free" was about losing your money and not trusting anyone while, "The Hardest Way to Make and Easy Living" is about getting money and not trusting anyone. Mike had a shitty life before and seems to still have a shitty life. Both the CDs say something when put together. For example, the CD cover for "A Grand Don't Come for Free" was Mike at a bus stop looking left and the cover of "The Hardest way to Make an Easy Living" is Mike looking left in front of a Rolls Royce. He looks left in both CD covers but traffic in the UK comes from the right. He's not paying attention before nor is he now. LOL. He is being funny but to someone from America this appears the way traffic comes. The Streets are doing it their way. If you like "A Grand Don't Come for Free" then you will get, "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living" as it's follow up. Cash is important these days. American is the most powerful nation in the world and the Streets are virtually unknown there. This is and important record. The Sex Pistols(UK) and the Tragically Hip (Canada) were never big in the USA either but within their own countries they are legends. The song, "Two Nations" makes reference to an American killing John Lennon which ignites some anit-American hatred and The Streets don't need America to be Famous. This is the funny part of the record. They are unknown in America and huge in the UK which is kind of ironic. This record is attempting to crack the US but hip hop is now getting old. The Subways, Artic Monkeys and rock music is back. Well the Streets be old before they are famous? I don't think so. It's a fresh CD with interesting lyrics, good sound and freshness. With one hit they will be too big and then this CD will be all too true but if it's not big then it's a perfect little pleasure pill. Swallowing this may make you ill but at least it's listenable. Repeated listening made it more interesting as I never know what he says all the time. Good CD and one of my top ten for the year. Mike Skinner is always in some kind of problem and he tells funny stories about it. His new problem is being rich and famous. It's not all it is cracked up to be. Alcoholism, drug use, money, relationships, suicide, church, politics and buttons to be pushed. Mike Skinner is like Eminem except he is unknown in America. The Streets are not American and that's why they're great. This is music outside Yankee land. Even if he looks left on the CD Covers I know you have to look Right in Britain. Go Streets Go. He is important for 2006.… Expand
  12. brockcheese
    Apr 14, 2015
    7
    I like this album by The Streets, but not nearly as much as their 2 previous albums, which in my opinion are amazing. I just don't think this album is as introspective as their previous work and feels kind of like fluff.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Under The Radar
    90
    Throughout, Skinner's production is more precise, his hooks more pointed and polished, and his writing more clever and poignant. [#13, p.89]
  2. Prefix Magazine
    50
    With about half the tracks on this record falling short, Skinner would seem to be teetering on the edge of irrelevance. But even the failed tracks here sound interesting, and if he's lost his way somewhat thematically, it's all in the name of searching for his new voice.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    A Behind the Music episode converted into a diffuse, rave-schooled song cycle.
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