0564. The Streets
A Grand Don't Come For Free

Called a "rap opera" (ropera?) where the protagonist is a no class British geezer who's lost £1000 and is in a break-up, where the rap's more of "talking to a beat" than actual rapping, might not be the best way to follow up a hugely successful debut, but The Streets thought it was a good idea.

And he actually could cash in on it: a couple of top hit singles, and the album itself went pretty damn high too. The beats are better than the vocals, though, and some of the guests are far less interesting than the already bland Skinner.

But while it's a bit dull, it actually does kick off at times, as in Fit But You Know It (heavily caused by its beat) and in Dry Your Eyes (where the vocals doesn't seem so bland after all, even though the hook is kinda forced), so in a wierd way it's actually a decent album.