Never Better

by P.O.S

Overview

It almost feels mean-spirited to call P.O.S. rap-rock, so sullied is that name from millennial mook-rock, but as he proudly interpolates Fugazi and Notorious B.I.G. on Never Better, it becomes obvious that this term is one he's determined to redefine. Track titles like "Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)" and "Terrorish" don't disappoint, all churlish guitar thuds, chest-thumping choruses and rapid-fire rhymes; it feels like the Linkin Park aesthetic done right, which is, really, a strange artistic achievement, but one handily accomplished. These hot flashes of intensity are nicely contrasted by neighbors like the darkly soothing "Optimist (We Are Not for Them)" and the satisfying boom-bap of "Savion Glover," giving the album some assured ebbs in intensity. Better still is the bombastically chintzy "Goodbye," which sounds like the type of beat Just Blaze would save for his very favorite client. But this is staunchly P.O.S.' show, and as an MC he's eager to dazzle. While his big emphatic Midwestern enunciation recalls Eminem, his emo-rap fixations are more in line with El-P or Cadence Weapon. He's fixated, obsessed even, with his friends, particularly those who've abused his trust, and constructs his record from the pensive moments of solitude between vainglorious barnburners. Between this brutal bleating and the general anger of the production, the record is dank and punishing on the ears -- probably just as P.O.S. intended, but still a step or two shy of the sonic maturity he so yearns to lend the subgenre. ~ Clayton Purdom

Product Details

Release Date:	02/03/2009
Label:	RHYMESAYERS
UPC:	0826257010223

Tracks

1. Let It Rattle
2. Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)
3. Savion Glover
4. Purexed
5. Grave Shovel Let's Go
6. Goodbye
7. Get Smokes
8. Been Afraid
9. Low Light Low Life
10. The Basics (Alright)
11. Out of Category
12. Optimist (We Are Not for Them)
13. Terrorish
14. Never Better
15. The Brave and the Snake

Album Credits

Performance Credits

P.O.S   Primary Artist,Bass,Organ,Guitar,Keyboards
Jessy Greene   Violin
Judah Nagler   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Lazerbeak   Piano,Vocals
The Bled   Vocals
Erin Tate   Drums
Eric Carlson   Vocals
F. Stokes   Vocals
Glorily Velez   Vocals
Joel Anderson   Vocals
Julie Kravitz   Vocals
Maria Juranic   Handclapping
Matt Scharenbroich   Drums
Mike the 2006 King   Turntables
Ruben Vela II   Vocals
Ryan Cybul   Vocals
Turbo Nemisis   Scratching
Dave Turncrantz   Drums
Cecil Otter   Vocals
Bones Jones   Vocals

Technical Credits

Paper Tiger   Composer,Composer
P.O.S   Composer,Pre-Production
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Jason Shevchuk   Composer
Lazerbeak   Composer
Adam Garcia   Design
R. Sims   Composer
Dessa   Composer
Mk Larada   Composer
Dan Monick   Photography
Sim's   Composer
Bones Jones   Musician
Stef "P.O.S." Alexander   Executive Producer
MK Larada   Composer