Who Needs Actions When You Got Words

2006 studio album by Plan B
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Studio album by
Released26 June 2006
Recorded2005–2006
StudioMiloco Studios (London, England)
GenreHip hop, acoustic, hardcore hip hop
Length62:48
Label679
ProducerPlan B, Fraser T Smith, Paul Epworth, Eliot James, Sam Williams, The Nextmen, The Earlies (co.), Jonathan Quarmby (add.), Kevin Bacon (add.), ALX
Plan B chronology
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
(2006)
The Defamation of Strickland Banks
(2010)
Singles from Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
  1. "Kidz / Dead and Buried"
    Released: 8 September 2005
  2. "Sick 2 Def"
    Released: 3 December 2005
  3. "Missing Links"
    Released: 18 January 2006
  4. "More Is Enough"
    Released: 21 April 2006
  5. "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)"
    Released: 10 July 2006
  6. "No More Eatin'"
    Released: 30 October 2006
  7. "No Good"
    Released: 19 February 2007
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [1]
Blender [2]
The Guardian [3]
NME [4]
Pitchfork Media(7.5/10) [5]
PopMatters [6]
Rolling Stone [7]

Who Needs Actions When You Got Words is the debut studio album released by British rapper and songwriter Plan B on 26 June 2006. The album was recorded with producers such as Fraser T Smith, Paul Epworth, The Earlies and The Nextmen. The title of the album derives from a line in the Meat Puppets song "Plateau".

Background

The vinyl version of the album was released as a double 12" vinyl, and bonus 7" vinyl, containing a total of fourteen tracks. The vinyl version featured the tracks in a slightly different order than the standard release, and also includes "Breakdown", and the Earlies version of "Sick 2 Def", in place of the standard version, however, the track "Everyday" is omitted. A deluxe edition of the album was issued in certain territories in 2007, containing the all-new collaborative single with Epic Man, More is Enough. The album received very favourable reviews from critics in the hip-hop, indie and mainstream communities. In 2006, Q Magazine rated the album sixty-fourth in their 100 Best Albums of 2006. The album reached and peaked at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart, when it was released on 26 June 2006. In February 2010, three and a half years after its release, the album was certified Silver by British Phonographic Industry for selling over 60,000 copies.

Singles

"Kidz / Dead and Buried" was released on 8 September 2005 as the lead single from the album. The single was available as a limited edition 7" vinyl single, limited to 500 copies, and released on Plan B's own record label, Pet Cemetery Records. The promotional CD single was accompanied by the previously unreleased track "Young Girl". A video for "Dead and Buried" features clips from the film Kidulthood, but does not feature Drew. "Sick 2 Def" was released on 3 December 2005 as the second single from the album. The single was available as a two-track CD single and a limited edition 7" vinyl. The single was backed by fellow album track, "No Good". The single was released on 679 Recordings. No music video was filmed for the track. "Missing Links" was released on 18 January 2006, as the third single from the album. The track was only released as a promotional single, due to permission being refused to release the sample of "Pyramid Song" by Radiohead as part of the single. The track was Plan B's first single to have an official accompanying music video. * "More Is Enough" was released as a collaborative single with Epic Man on 21 April 2006. Although not included on the original version of the album, the song appears as the first track on the deluxe edition of the record, Enough is Enough. A music video was filmed for the release, which was available on limited edition 7" vinyl only.

"Mama (Loves a Crackhead)" was released as the album's fifth single on 10 July 2006. The single was Plan B's first single to be released on multiple formats, including limited edition 7" vinyl, CD single and DVD single, and was Plan B's first track to appear on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 41. A music video was released for the track. "No More Eatin'" was released on 30 October 2006 as the album's sixth single. The single lead two exclusive releases - No More Eatin': Live at The Pet Cemetery EP and No More Eatin': The Remixes EP. The single was available on both CD single and limited edition 7" and 12" vinyl. An acoustic music video was filmed for the track. "No Good" was released on 19 February 2007 as the album's seventh and final single. The track's music video was filmed in December 2005 when it appeared as the B-side to the single "Sick 2 Def". The single was released on limited edition 12" vinyl and as a DVD single. For the single release, the track was remixed by Jeremy Wheatley. Although not officially released as singles, music videos were filmed for the "No Good" b-side track "Bizness Woman", featuring Killa Kela, and for the album track, "Charmaine", was released to music channels in April 2007, and the album's title track, "Who Needs Actions When You Got Words", was released as a promotional single in June 2007.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Kidz"Ben Drew, Fraser T SmithFraser T Smith4:07
2."Sick 2 Def"DrewFraser T Smith4:44
3."No Good"Drew, Paul Epworth, Kelly Charles, James Edward BrattonPaul Epworth4:56
4."Dead and Buried"Drew, Fraser T SmithFraser T Smith, Plan B4:39
5."Mama (Loves a Crackhead)"Drew, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sara AllenPlan B, Jonathan Quarmby (add.), Kevin Bacon (add.)3:57
6."Charmaine"Drew, Fraser T Smith, Jerry FullerFraser T Smith, Plan B3:46
7."I Don't Hate You"DrewPlan B5:15
8."Everyday"Drew, Eliot JamesEliot James, Plan B4:24
9."Tough Love"DrewPlan B5:03
10."Where Ya From?"Drew, EpworthPlan B, Paul Epworth (co.)3:43
11."No More Eatin'"DrewPlan B, The Earlies (co.)4:41
12."Missing Links"DrewPlan B3:53
13."Couldn't Get Along"Drew, Sam WilliamsPlan B, Sam Williams5:44
14."Who Needs Actions When You Got Words"Drew, Brad Ellis, Dominic BetmeadPlan B, The Nextmen3:53
Total length:62:48
iTunes Store and Japanese Bonus Tracks[1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Rakin' the Dead"Drew, Jim LongALX4:34
16."Breakdown" (featuring The Earlies)DrewPlan B, The Earlies4:53
Total length:4:34
Deluxe Edition Bonus Disc: "Something for Nothing"[2]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."More Is Enough" (with Epic Man)Drew, EpworthPaul Epworth3:36
2."Breakdown" (featuring The Earlies)DrewPlan B, The Earlies4:53
3."More Is Enough" (Sinden Remix)Drew, EpworthPaul Epworth4:58
4."Who Needs Actions When You Got Words" (Hot Chip Remix)Drew, Ellis, BetmeadPlan B, The Nextmen5:09
5."No Good" (A. Brucker Remix) (featuring MPHO))Drew, Epworth, Charles, BrattonPaul Epworth3:39
6."No Good" (Chase & Status & Beni G Remix)Drew, Epworth, Charles, BrattonPaul Epworth4:24
7."Mama (Loves a Crackhead)" (Music Video)  3:57
8."No Good" (Music Video)  4:56
9."No More Eatin'" (Music Video)  4:41
LP Version[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Kidz"Drew, SmithFraser T Smith4:07
2."Sick 2 Def" (featuring The Earlies)DrewPlan B, The Earlies (co.)4:34
3."No Good"Drew, Epworth, Charles, BrattonPaul Epworth4:56
4."Mama (Loves a Crackhead)"Drew, Hall, Oates, AllenPlan B, Jonathan Quarmby, Kevin Bacon3:57
5."Charmaine"Drew, Smith, FullerFraser T Smith, Plan B3:46
6."I Don't Hate You"DrewPlan B5:15
7."Tough Love"DrewPlan B5:03
8."Where Ya From?"Drew, EpworthPlan B, Paul Epworth3:43
9."Couldn't Get Along"Drew, WilliamsPlan B, Sam Williams5:44
10."No More Eatin'"DrewPlan B, The Earlies4:41
11."Missing Links"DrewPlan B3:53
12."Who Needs Actions When You Got Words"Drew, Ellis, BetmeadPlan B, The Nextmen3:53
13."Breakdown" (featuring The Earlies)DrewPlan B, The Earlies4:53
14."Dead and Buried"Drew, SmithFraser T Smith, Plan B4:39

Personnel

  • Plan B - vocal, guitar, producer, mixing, art direction[4]
Production
Additional musicians
  • NY – backing vocals, additional vocals
  • Akatriel – additional vocals
  • Randolph Matthews – backing vocals
  • Andrew Smith – guitar
  • Tom Knott – guitar
  • Jamie King – guitar
  • Dominic Betmead – guitar, turntables
  • Andy Sheldrake – bass
  • Christian Madden – keyboard
  • Cassell The BeatMaker – drums
  • Richard Young – drums
  • Harry Escott – cello
  • Kai Fish – cello
  • Eliot James – cello, piano
  • Alex Berry – double bass
  • Beni G – turntables
Other personnel
  • Ben Drury – design, additional photography, art direction
  • Neil Gavin – photography
  • Ben Sansbury – graphic design
  • Dan Stacey – A&R
  • Nicky Stein – legal
Sample credits

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
United Kingdom26 June 2006679CD5051011497926
2xLP + 7"505101149791
Australia19 November 20062xCDCTX334CD

Chart performance

Tour

Who Needs Actions When You Got Words Tour
Tour by Plan B
LocationUnited Kingdom, Europe, Japan, United States, Australia
Associated albumWho Needs Actions When You Got Words
Start date13 May 2006
End date24 May 2007
Legs5
Plan B concert chronology

Live band

  • Plan B – vocals, guitar
  • Tom Wright-Goss – guitar
  • Andy Sheldrake – bass
  • Cassell The BeatMaker – drums
  • Beni G – DJ, turntables

Support acts

  • Example (July 2006, January–February 2007)
  • Professor Green (January–February 2007)
  • Hadouken! (January–February 2007)
  • Killa Kela (January–February 2007)

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenue
Leg 1: United Kingdom
13 May 2006LeedsUnited KingdomThe Faversham[A]
31 May 2006LondonThe Macbeth
12 July 2006NewcastleCarling Academy Newcastle
13 July 2006GlasgowKing Tut's Wah Wah Hut
14 July 2006BirminghamCarling Academy 2 Birmingham
15 July 2006LiverpoolCarling Academy 2 Liverpool
18 July 2006NottinghamRescue Rooms
19 July 2006ManchesterAcademy 3
21 July 2006LondonMean Fiddler
22 July 2006BristolAshton Court[B]
23 July 2006BrightonConcord 2
Leg 2: Festivals
12 August 2006OsakaJapanIntex Osaka[C]
13 August 2006ChibaChiba Marine Stadium[C]
26 August 2006ReadingUnited KingdomLittle John's Farm[D]
27 August 2006LeedsBramham Park[D]
28 August 2006EdinburghThe Liquid Room[E]
12 November 2006ParisFranceLa Cigale[F]
Leg 3: United Kingdom & Ireland
28 January 2007DublinIrelandThe Village
30 January 2007PrestonUnited Kingdom53 Degrees
31 January 2007BirminghamCarling Academy 2 Birmingham
1 February 2007LeedsThe Cockpit
2 February 2007GlasgowThe Arches
3 February 2007SheffieldThe Leadmill
7 February 2007ManchesterAcademy 2
8 February 2007CardiffUniversity Solus
9 February 2007LondonShepherd's Bush Empire
10 February 2007BristolAnson Rooms
12 February 2007CambridgeThe Junction
13 February 2007LiverpoolCarling Academy 2 Liverpool
14 February 2007NorwichWaterfront
15 February 2007SouthamptonUniversity
22 February 2007LondonFopp
Leg 4: United States
12 March 2007New York CityUnited StatesJoe's Pub
13 March 2007Los AngelesCinespace
15 March 2007AustinTrinity Lounge[G]
16 March 2007301 Chicon Street[G]
17 March 2007Zero Degrees[G]
17 March 2007Beauty Bar[G]
Leg 5: Australia
19 May 2007LondonUnited KingdomScala
24 May 2007MelbourneAustraliaDing Dong Lounge
26 May 2007SydneyThe Basement
Leg 6: Festivals
16 June 2007LondonUnited KingdomHyde Park[H]
17 June 2007LeedsHarewood House[H]
21 June 2007New York CityUnited StatesHiro Ballroom
23 June 2007PiltonUnited KingdomWorthy Farm[I]
29 June 2007IstanbulTurkeySolar Beach[J]
8 July 2007BaladoUnited KingdomBalado[K]
20 July 2007TrenčínSlovakiaTrenčín Airport[L]
4 August 2007FavershamUnited KingdomMount Ephraim Gardens[M]
18 August 2007ChelmsfordHylands Park[N]
24 May 2007StaffordshireWeston Park[N]
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
[A] As part of Nasty Fest
[B] As part of Ashton Court Festival
[C] As part of Summer Sonic Festival
[D] As part of Reading and Leeds Festivals
[E] As part of T on the Fringe
[F] As part of Les Inrocks Festival
[G] As part of SXSW
[H] As part of Wireless Festival
[I] As part of Glastonbury Festival
[J] As part of Radar Live Festival
[K] As part of T in the Park
[L] As part of Pohoda Festival
[M] As part of Electric Gardens
[N] As part of V Festival

References

  1. ^ "iTunes - Music - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words by Plan B". iTunes. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Plan B (4) - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words". Discogs. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Plan B (4) - Who Needs Actions when You Got Words (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Release: Who Needs Actions When You Got Words". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  5. ^ "BPI > Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  • Official website
  • Who Needs Actions When You Got Words at AllMusic
  • Who Needs Actions When You Got Words at Discogs (list of releases)
  • Who Needs Actions When You Got Words at Metacritic
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