Bonus Content: Issue 18

I’ve covered a few movies over the last couple of issues of Bonus Content so today we’re branching into the world of music. In the past couple of months I have spent way too much money on music, 10 albums at least. But, when music is concerned, you can never have too much, in my opinion. So, here’s 5 of my most recent favourites.

Album: The Defamation of Strickland Banks
Band/Artist: Plan B
Genre: Pop

Most retailers are classing this album as pop, which is something I struggle to understand. Okay, so it’s popular music but this definitely belongs in the Soul/R&B category, if not the Rap/Hip-Hop category. But let’s forget about trying to label things, shall we?  Whatever you know him as – Strickland Banks, Ben Drew or Plan B – his voice is unmistakable and The Defamation of Strickland Banks blends soulfulness with rap, brilliantly. Most of you will be familiar with the first single, She Said, and the if you are a fan of this then the album will not disappoint. Love songs, party songs, dance songs and honest heart-felt songs that tell a story, The Defamation of Strickland Banks is a brilliant album that will no doubt please existing fans as well as attract a newer audience. And, on a side note, you can see Ben Drew proving himself as an actor in a few films, most recently Harry Brown.

Standout tracks: Stay Too Long, She Said, The Recluse, Prayin’

Album: Drumrolls for Somersaults
Band/Artist: The Martin Harley Band
Genre: Blues

Having bought this album off the back of a 30 second preview of the first track, I didn’t know what to expect. However, it is quite possibly the best decision I have ever made regarding music purchases. Whilst the backbone of the album is rooted in the Blues, this album also features touches of Latin, Rock, Pop and Folk. The songs are extremely catchy, the lyrics are brilliantly written and the musicianship is amazing. From gentle acoustic guitar riffs to heavy Blues chords, Drumrolls for Somersaults is a must.

Standout tracks: Love in the Afternoon, Drumrolls for Somersaults, Take What You Want, Just Passing Thru

Album: Cause and Effect
Band/Artist: Maria Mena
Genre: Pop

This is quirky pop with an edge. Maria Mena’s Cause and Effect is not only a great showcase for her voice and song-writing skills, it becomes quickly apparent that it is also the perfect place for her to address some issues that she faced in her childhood. It’s slightly alarming that the majority of her songs talk about her home life when she was little but she does it in such a way that the album never becomes depressing. Some songs are completely mad and fun whilst others are haunting, and it’s this combination that makes Maria stand out from the plethora of female vocalists that are currently on the scene. The album also features a brilliant cover version of Kiss’ I Was Made for Loving You.

Standout tracks: Power Trip Ballad, All This Time, Cause and Effect, Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Album: Daybreakers OST
Composer: Christopher Gordon
Genre: Soundtracks

Daybreakers, in my opinion, was a great film and an original concept for a Vampire movie. Accompanying the film is a score by Christopher Gordon, and what a score it is. The film could have easily taken on songs from average bands in an attempt to appeal to those who regard MTV as a good source for music, but, luckily for us, Gordon was allowed to create a dramatic soundtrack with eerie strings and pounding drums, perfect for the tension, action and story. The OST also features Placebo’s collaboration with Kate Bush on her song Running Up That Hill.

Standout tracks: Humans, Subsider, Ambush, Drought, Spreading the Cure

Album: Merchants and Thieves
Band/Artist: Sandi Thom
Genre: Blues

A lot of people dismissed Sandi Thom as a bit of a novelty when she released her first single I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker, but, in truth, her first album was a great set of songs that had something to say and featured extremely catchy melodies. This 3^rd album signals her freedom from her label, starting afresh under her own. From classic Blues themes such as running from the law to lamenting love, Merchants and Thieves is a diverse album that will prove Sandi as a proper musical talent. Her collaboration with quite possibly the greatest Blues guitarist in the world, Joe Bonnamassa, cements her ability to write and sing the Blues.

Standout tracks: Maggie McCall, Runaway Train, This Ol’ World, Ghost Town