Ian Brown

There's also the possibility of a backlash if you stand on a soapbox too often, and preach the message in a way seen as sanctimonious.

Think of the vitriol levelled at Bono and Coldplay's Chris Martin after their respective anti-poverty or Fair Trade statements.

There is another approach, however, which is to address the man or woman on the street on their own level, and to use common sense to get a point across.

That's exactly the route Ian Brown has taken with latest album The World Is Yours, which largely tackles the issue of the Iraq War throughout 12, string-laden tracks.

Of course, Brown being the Mancunian everyman that he is, he doesn't stand on ceremony and rant - his argument is clear, simple, and very sound.

"I got so fed up of watching the news and not hearing any alternative voice anywhere on the matter," he says passionately.

"We've all suffered so much propaganda over the last five or six years and I got sick of it.

"Some people have criticised me for being too late with these songs, but I don't believe that, because it's still happening.

"Civilians are still dying in the Middle East as a result of this so-called war, our young boys and girls are still joining the army and six weeks later can be out there fighting."

Music fans of certain age will forever think of Ian as the swaggering singer in The Stone Roses, the epitome of Manchester's musical heyday and the man who paved the way for Liam Gallagher and a generation of like-minded simian-featured frontmen.

In person, he's nothing like this, however. He's softly spoken, articulate and open, and while his greying stubble can't hide his 44 years, he has a youthful character and a seemingly unshakeable optimism.

He also doesn't employ a manager, which is virtually unheard of for an artist of his stature, so he's involved in all the decisions concerning his music and career.

This might be due to his former band's bad experiences with management, but it might also be his inquiring nature - he acts like an information sponge, soaking up whatever life has to throw at him.

Planned for around three years, and recorded over three sessions in Ireland, Manchester and London, The World Is Yours is awash with orchestral arrangements, but recorded in a way to make them the focus of each track, rather than the mere background.

This was informed by Brown's newfound love of Classic FM and the works of Schubert and Beethoven, while the hip hop beats that run through each song see the father-of-three's passion for rap come to the fore.

After The Stone Roses split up in 1996, Brown retreated from the limelight and pondered his next move.

"He briefly toyed with the idea of becoming a gardener until he decided upon a solo career, but a life outdoors still appeals.

"I'm not like some old boxer who needs applause, I could give it all up.

"But I feel fresh, and I feel like I've got something to say, and I'm still relevant.

"My new songs sound contemporary, and my old songs still sound fresh," he says thoughtfully.

"I don't feel that I shouldn't be doing this, but at the same time, I can imagine how beautiful it would be to have a simple life, growing a few flowers, taking them to market and making enough for your dinner.

"Living that life would be beautiful, so simple and clean and honest.

"I just hope I know when to call it a day. I've recently become aware of my own legacy, and I don't want to damage that or diminish it.

"If I go in the studio next time and it's not happening, that'll be it. But if it is happening, you'll see a lot more of me."

Ian Brown plays Manchester Central, formerly G-Mex, on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8.