Plan B - No Good (679)
4/5
By: Michael Cragg
Produced by Paul Epwoth (Bloc Party, Futureheads, The Rakes) and bouncing along on a sample last used by The Prodigy, 'No Good' is the best song from Plan B's debut, the snappily titled 'Who Needs Action When You Got Words'. The fact that it's a re-release and follows at least three other singles from said album tells the story of a record company desperately trying to make good on a much hyped, but poorly selling album - which is a shame, as Plan B (aka Ben Drew) has a talent greater then the lazy 'British Eminem' tag that seems to apply to any British white rapper. Certainly it's a burden Mike Skinner may be happy to pass on.
'No Good' marries Drew's violent rapping style and acoustic guitar with his surprisingly good singing voice, all riding a clattering drum pattern. Lyrically it's all boyhood bravado, Drew relishing his status as outsider, be it on the streets or in the music industry. Suitably uncompromising- it would be difficult to edit out the swearing for radio- it's a thrilling four minutes, and is matched by the bass-heavy Brucker remix. But this may well be the last chance for Plan B to resuscitate an album destined for the category marked 'critic's favourite'.
Artists in this article: Plan B, The B Team
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