Ill Manors - Plan B
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 20, 2012
    100
    On a production level, this album is cutting-edge, on a lyrical level it is brutally brilliant. It will melt your ears and your heart.
  2. RapReviews.com
    Oct 30, 2012
    90
    Ill Manors, depressing, blunt and provocative, fulfills one of rap music's most noble tasks--to touch the sore spots.
  3. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jul 23, 2012
    90
    This is one of the most exhilarating albums of the year.
  4. musicOMH.com
    Sep 21, 2012
    80
    Ill Manors is visionary, it's bold, but most importantly it's very good.
  5. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2012
    80
    It's a punishing listen certain to prove divisive among his fan base. [Oct 2012, p.95]
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  6. Spin
    Sep 11, 2012
    80
    Obviously, hip-hop loves its thugs, too, especially if they're the antiheroes of a relatively nuanced piece like this one.
  7. All Music Guide
    Aug 21, 2012
    80
    Solid, purposeful, and crafted in a manner that betrays both Drew's age and the album's hurried road to release, Ill Manors makes heavy-hitter number three for the rapper, suggesting that Plan B doesn't issue albums, just milestones.
  8. Q Magazine
    Aug 20, 2012
    80
    Drew's work is lyrically dense and confrontational, but the music is blissfully rich and specious. [Sep 2012, p.100]
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  9. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 30, 2012
    80
    After this confrontational opening ditty, Ill Manors becomes less overtly political but no less vivid, as the remaining tracks depict in gruesome detail the dismal lives of London's underclass.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 24, 2012
    80
    These songs contain the record's protest element as well as its exemplary musicality: heartbreaking soul choruses, classical samples and '80s rocksteady rhythms.
  11. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 23, 2012
    80
    A fierce polemic that impresses and frustrates in equal measure.
  12. The Guardian
    Jul 20, 2012
    80
    It's packed with neat touches.
  13. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 20, 2012
    80
    Plan B acquits himself remarkably well here.
  14. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2012
    60
    Drew's desire to be all things to all 'hoods is the weakness of the soundtrack to his debut movie. [Oct 2012, p.86]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Marmanhollow
    9
    This is a really good album. Masterfully produced. Ben Drew can both rap and sing on the same high level. This dude ha some serious talent!
  2. Yogii
    9
    Heard the album a while back, but I recently watched the self-titled movie and now I can't stop listening! Plan B is on form with this. Watch the movie, listen to this, thank me later.… Full Review »
  3. Nesbitt10
    6
    Impressive directorial debut for Ben Drew about a random group of men and women who live in London's Forest Gate area for about a week. Drew does a fine job weaving together a series of narratives involving these people, and their stories; ranging from illegal immigrants forced into prostitution, drug addiction, and gang land violence. He effectively portrays how each character is affected by their environment, and how the decisions they make have ripple effects impacting others. Ben Drew wrote the script and the lyrics for the accompanying soundtrack, which is very good as well. Cinematography and Production design are first-rate, but the story is mediocre and the perpetual misery never lets up and leaves the screenplay exceedingly overbearing. Ben Drew's cameo is in the final scene as the cab driver. For additional reviews visit http://www.rottentomatoes.com/member/Nesbitt10… Full Review »
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