Spokesperson for a generation?

[matt]

Originally Posted by leutin

Although Skinner is largely considered a rap artist there's a similar style of delivery to some of Karl's work (in particular Ring Road), and after it was mentioned that Skinner was considered 'a spokesperson or commentator for a generation' I wondered if the same could be levied at Karl ?.

That seems like a ridiculous comment as surely delivery style is irrelevant and lyrical content should be the comparison. I mean, an artist could read out a shopping list or phone directory in the same 'delivery style' as Mike Skinner but that wouldn't make them a spokesperson for a generation. UW lyrics tend to be obscure/random and hardly constitute astute policitical comment or anything, so I'd have to say no, I wouldn't consider Karl a spokesperson.

I'm also curious as to just how many drugs your friends must have taken if they feel older UW lyrics reflect their lives?!

[leutin]

Originally Posted by matt

I'm also curious as to just how many drugs your friends must have taken if they feel older UW lyrics reflect their lives?!

Hehe - let's just say that most of us walked on the wild side a little more than perhaps was good for us and that contributes partly towards my question (not comment) about the generational and maturity aspect.

You see most of us are older and wiser now and while Skinner's observations don't really reflect our lives too much nowadays (I'm talking in respect of me and some friends here) Karl's still seem to resonate. What I find interesting about his words is that they're observational without being judgmental or acerbic. Lines like "Young blokes cuss outside the job-centre" or "many predators" are reasonable examples - observation with an edge of danger without being scathing or judgmental in anyway.

Okay, 'spokesperson for a generation' is probably a bit OTT but as a kid John Lydon & Paul Weller reflected my life in the same way The Streets reflects my son's now. As I've matured, that old commentary become nostalgia and largely irrelevant. But I've found a calmness and acceptance portrayed in some of what Karl writes these days which does speak to me. Partly because it's a calmness that an angry middle-aged git like me works hard to find now that the days of excess have largely gone.

I guess my question was me just wondering if there was anyone else here who felt the same way? But as dubman so correctly said "ah fuck it you get the picture"

[big screen satellite]

i like mike skinner and the streets (and the rest of the beats - his label) output

and underworld too....

both speak for me....

[Mike]

Originally Posted by big screen satellite

both speak for me....

I just like the bleeps and the bloops, they speak for me and my ear drums