It was only a matter of time until Ben Drew pulled together his talents for music and film to present Ill Manors; a feature film and album. Interestingly Ben does not star in the film (other than a short cameo). I have not seen the movie and will focus on the album as a musical work, presented by Ben’s musical persona; Plan B.
The album features plenty of collaborations and several feature tracks from the film amongst other pieces completed post film production, which set the album up as a supporting work and not a direct soundtrack.The storytelling format of the album is not dissimilar to Plan B’s previous works - his debut depicting the trials and tribulations of “Strickland Banks”. Musically it achieves a complex fusion of urban lyrics, soul melodies, hip hop and ethno beats with dustings of acoustic instrumentation. A stand out track which demonstrates this collage perfectly is “Deeply Shame”. Opening with Plan B’s vulnerably understated vocals (of which we hear more in his earlier album) set against harmonies in simple instrumentation; the track carries poignancy which is delivered with raw emotion. I was slightly disappointed when Plan B disturbed these soulful melodies with rapped lyrics; however it certainly offers a further example of the complex layers and varying textures built throughout the album.
Plan B’s urban poetry, presented through contrasting timbres and emotions, consistently functions to deliver messages of moral and political strife; Ben Drew’s personal strife against a judgemental society. Such level of passion accompanied by a creative medley of musical styles both old and new set out a highly convincing and arguably sophisticated work.
Anyone who is brave enough to set Saint-Saëns Aquarium against explicit narrations deserves some level of respect, although I am not entirely convinced by the resulting track.
No comments:
Post a Comment