Hip Hop/Rap: Pitman's It Takes a Nation of Tossers

Did he actually say that out loud? Oh, my! He did!

Pitman, the coalminer rapper from the UK, says (“sez”) plenty of things that we might think but we’d never say out loud. Of course, he also goes way beyond that and says much more. After Son Records sent me a review copy of his album, It Takes a Nation of Tossers, I wrote back about how Pitman’s lyrics are pretty challenging. In fact, consider this a strong parental advisory sticker; this album is not for the faint-of-heart, the young, the old, or those easily ruffled. It is like watching a movie or reading a novel that records the street language, the street attitude, and the street situations. You come to the experience not to condone it but perhaps to understand someone else, to find the similarities with your experience; you listen, watch, or read because you see yourself in it more than you thought you would.

I can’t say that I was ever so rude when talking to a woman as in “The Pitman and Her,” but there’s something about the observations about bargain stores and the breakdown of potential relationships. The woman starts talking about The Matrix, and this loses the Pitman.

I can’t say that I’d approach it in the same way, but “What I Am” deals with rumors and gossip. Pitman, tongue-in-cheek perhaps, details what he is not and what he is, but don’t believe everything you hear. Even the chorus is suspect: “Fools, come on, I don’t think you get me/What I am is what I am.” After all, it is unclear who Pitman really is, so then that’s who he is? Yet, this song gives you the perfect mix of Britishness and gansta rapper with the line: “Brother, let’s do this right/First we’ll drink tea/And then we’ll fight.”

I can’t say that I’d ever think to add Julio Iglesias to the mix, but on “Words,” Pitman’s musings meld with the sample of Julio singing, “The words I have to say/May well be simple/But they’re true.” Pitman is up front; his words are harsh, rude, dirty, but they certainly hit the mark. Here he takes on some of the other music industry darlings. Before you reject Pitman for his vulgarity, remember his line: “Maybe I’m a dirty old man/But R. Kelly’s doing alright out of it.” R. Kelly is promoted among our teens and even pre-teens as if he’s a good role model. At least, Pitman shakes off this idea and admits his predilections.

The album is full of old school beats, rhymes, and samples. If you were a fan of The Commitments, watching an Irish band becoming a soul band, then you’ve got to hear Pitman croon on “Mr. Pitiful.” Between choruses of the original by Pitman, he brings in the beat with rhymes about the foreman and the coal mine, about food, and about giving directions. Then add that he plays on the chorus, “At least I don’t look like Seal.” The combination winds up being perfect.

The music is coming from the old school band room on “Waiting.” Wafting down those empty old school halls is the flute of the 60’s, spinning a funk melody. The song is about going to work, waiting for public transportation. Under the funky, spritely tune, Pitman is pissed off on the platform in his “pit suit.” Again, we’re back to the angry musings of a man who says out loud what most of us only think. Before I’m too quick to condemn Pitman, I’ve got to ask: how different are the thoughts running through my head?

Finally, if you’re wanting to hear some honest thoughts about the music industry, listen to “What’s the Point?” “Why don’t they write decent songs anymore?/You know, like Duran Duran did. . .the Thompson Twins. . .‘Would I lie to ya?’ . . .No, people need to think about lyrics like me. . .Get to your local independent record shop and ask them,/‘I want to hear something interesting, educational, funny’”.

Thanks to Al at Son Records for challenging me with the review copy.