The Streets' Third Album Due in April

Titled The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, the disc will follow up Skinner's 2004 sophomore effort (and Pitchfork's third-favorite album of that year), A Grand Don't Come For Free. While the tracklist is yet to be issued, we predict "geezer" will show up in at least one title.

As far as what fans can expect, it seems the overall mood of the disc will split the difference between the Streets' tight 2002 debut Original Pirate Material, and the rap opera of Grand. As a press release informs us:

"The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living is a completely autobiographical record that covers various things that have happened to Mike over the past few years since he's become a well known figure in the UK - there's love, loss, scandal, violence, sex, drugs and a whole load of bad behavior and regret. It's a true story. It's not a 'story' record like his last LP, but the thread of Mike's reality runs through every song."

Skinner recently told NME, "After A Grand Don't Come For Free, I was like, 'What am I going to write about?' I can't moan I've got no money any more, but then it gradually dawned on me that my life is so crazy! You'd never believe some of the stuff that's happened to me along the way in countries far away."

He added, "This album is going to be a bit more polished and bit faster, hopefully exciting." Yes, hopefully!

A handful of buzz-perpetuating shows have also been announced in the UK, with four dates set for this February. A U.S. tour is also tentatively scheduled for June of this year, but no firm details have yet surfaced. Alas, faithful geezers, we'll stay on top of further developments. Street life:

02-15 Norwich, England - U.E.A.
02-16 Sheffield, England - Leadmill
02-17 Bath, England - Pavillion
02-18 London, England - Astoria

The Streets: http://www.the-streets.co.uk/