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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Defamation Of Strickland Banks, the second LP from Forest Gate-bred singer/musician Ben Drew, will be a surprise for anyone who spent meaningful time with his 2006 debut Who Needs Actions When You’ve Got Words. That album cast him as a potty-mouthed rapper, threatening to stab you with a biro over choppy acoustic guitar. Now, following a quick makeover, he re-emerges as blue-eyed soul singer, fronting a suite of bittersweet love songs steeped in vintage Stax and Motown. What might seem a rushed rebranding makes more sense if you know a little about Drew's creative drive, though; obsessed with cinema and narrative, Plan B is a storyteller at heart, and …Strickland Banks' songs trace a tale through the London underworld, Drew playing a soul singer from the East End jailed for a crime he didn’t commit. It's a concept that works, thanks largely to Drew’s voice--surprisingly strong, and more than capable of handling everything from upbeat Northern soul to fraught numbers like "Welcome To Hell". The narrative never overwhelms the quality of the songs, though, and for anyone disappointed such an impressively angry man has gone a bit Paolo Nutini on us, there's the occasional rap delivered with anger more savage for its infrequent deployment. –-Louis Pattison
Product Description
PLAN B The Defamation Of Strickland Banks (2010 UK 13-track CD album - Produced by Paul Epworth The Defamation of Strickland Banks is the sound of Motown Stax and Northern soul filtered through the grit of contemporary East London. The switchblade sharp soul sound of the album is perfectly recreated on stage complete with a brilliant sharp-suited band and backing singers. Includes the singles Stay Too Long She Said Prayin The Recluse and Love Goes Down)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I searched for this CD following hearing the track 'Prayin' on the radio. I was hugely impressed by this number but had no idea who the performer was. After having finally discovered the identity of the artist, I did some further research on YouTube. I cannot fully express how good I think this body of work is. It is so refreshing that in this age of manufactured, conveyor-belt, processed pulp, to find that there is a young performer who is offering fresh, thoughtful music. I admit that I am no rap fan, but the quality of the tracks on this CD completely eradicated my fears.
I cannot praise this CD highly enough, every track is high quality and I would urge anyone who may be dithering over this CD to make the leap and invest in it - it will not disappoint!
I cannot praise this CD highly enough, every track is high quality and I would urge anyone who may be dithering over this CD to make the leap and invest in it - it will not disappoint!
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
To say Ben Drew has gone through an incredible transformation is now almost a cliche, but in simple English there are no other words to explain it. From his debut `Who Needs Actions, When You Got Words' back in 2006, we've gone from the angry, young londoner to a modern, spotless reenactment of one of the biggest musical movements in history.
Concept albums are hard to come by in the world of pop, Mike Skinner only being the notable artist in hip-hop to achieve that, with good effect in `A Grand Don't Come For Free' and whilst the tales of Strickland Banks aren't quite as lyrically moving and mind-blowing, the journey is still a joy to listen to. Following a love-struck fictional man, who ends up in prison has never been so fun and toe-tappingly good.
In his most sucessful release of the album thus far `She Said' captures the pleading of Strickland in a court case, the sound track to that so warmful with the blowing of sax and ever-so-light strings. Prior to that, his next single release `Stay Too Long', upbeat as far as the album is concerned, is a step on from the opening singles `Love Goes Down' and `Writing's on the Wall', almost Lionel Ritchie-esque. To mention these songs in the same breath as such an artist, really is a tribute to Plan B.
It doesn't stop there, further displaying is magical ability to sing as well as spitfire harsh lyrics. `The Recluse' without a doubt, is the absolute pinnacle of his work, instantly launching us into the song title and mesmorising violins. The third single release of the album `Prayin' is another example of his soulful works, eclipsing other attempts to capture the sound of the 60's, from artists `Duffy' and `VV Brown'. If you hadn't felt the northern soul influences yet, then `Free' will timewarp you into the Wigan Casino without a doubt, in an almost impossible-not-to-dance record, tinted with a subtle vinyl crackle for effect.
This album, if anything really begs the question - is there a genre of music this boy can't touch and master? Thus far, the answer is no. A truly incredible piece of modern artwork.
Concept albums are hard to come by in the world of pop, Mike Skinner only being the notable artist in hip-hop to achieve that, with good effect in `A Grand Don't Come For Free' and whilst the tales of Strickland Banks aren't quite as lyrically moving and mind-blowing, the journey is still a joy to listen to. Following a love-struck fictional man, who ends up in prison has never been so fun and toe-tappingly good.
In his most sucessful release of the album thus far `She Said' captures the pleading of Strickland in a court case, the sound track to that so warmful with the blowing of sax and ever-so-light strings. Prior to that, his next single release `Stay Too Long', upbeat as far as the album is concerned, is a step on from the opening singles `Love Goes Down' and `Writing's on the Wall', almost Lionel Ritchie-esque. To mention these songs in the same breath as such an artist, really is a tribute to Plan B.
It doesn't stop there, further displaying is magical ability to sing as well as spitfire harsh lyrics. `The Recluse' without a doubt, is the absolute pinnacle of his work, instantly launching us into the song title and mesmorising violins. The third single release of the album `Prayin' is another example of his soulful works, eclipsing other attempts to capture the sound of the 60's, from artists `Duffy' and `VV Brown'. If you hadn't felt the northern soul influences yet, then `Free' will timewarp you into the Wigan Casino without a doubt, in an almost impossible-not-to-dance record, tinted with a subtle vinyl crackle for effect.
This album, if anything really begs the question - is there a genre of music this boy can't touch and master? Thus far, the answer is no. A truly incredible piece of modern artwork.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I recently purchased this album as a present for my girlfriend as she was a fan of the first two singles.
I had never been a fan of Plan B and after being cajoled into listening to the album I was convinced that my opinion would not change. However, upon listening to the album I was surprised to see that Plan B had written and recorded one of the best British soul albums in recent memory.
Even if you're not sure about Plan B or never liked him before this is well worth a listen. A refined, well-written and emotive piece of work.
I had never been a fan of Plan B and after being cajoled into listening to the album I was convinced that my opinion would not change. However, upon listening to the album I was surprised to see that Plan B had written and recorded one of the best British soul albums in recent memory.
Even if you're not sure about Plan B or never liked him before this is well worth a listen. A refined, well-written and emotive piece of work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AMAZING!!
This is actually the second time i have brought this cd, as my first copy was robbed off me by my mom, its a great cd and every song on the is amazing! Read more
Published 1 month ago by R.Haywood
Love the concept and music
I love songs that tell a good story and was really pleased to find an album that told a story too. I listen to either this or "a grand don't come for free" by the streets whenever... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Tracey
Defamation of Strickland Banks - Plan B
I saw the creation of "She Said" at my local cinema, and really liked what I heard. I found the album on the internet and purchased it. I wanted a hard copy, not mp3 replication. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Phil
Strickland Strikes
Stricklands unique sound belts out some cracking tunes. A pure musical delight and an A1 album.Let's hope his next offering continues in this vain.
Published 3 months ago by Goatbasher
"The Defamation of Strickland Banks"
First both DVDs ordered arrived before expected, but The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B is one of the coolest albums I have heard since the last Muse release, will be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by ik amazon
Original
One of the most original albums that I have in my closed. It's so interesting how his 'raping' voice is so different as his 'singing' voice. Stay too long is my favorite.
Published 5 months ago by Hanne
Plan B Must Have
Plan B go from strength to strength,This is a fab mix of street ,rap and a ballad or two,,It will last the test of time.
Published 6 months ago by coloumbo
Best album since the Stones Roses debut
I can't believe I came to this so late and missed the tour, completely gutted. This is amazing, every track is a winner and the concept is pure genius. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. D. Green
a story
It was common in the seventies to write thematic rock operas. They were always overblown and pompous. This is an opera of sorts but in a very modern idiom. Read more
Published 8 months ago by bart4books
Keep the memories
Plan B live what more can I say great best live show loved the songs had to purchase the CD to keep the memories and also have to thank Amazon again this was part of an order that... Read more
Published 8 months ago by NicNac
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