Customer Reviews

Never Better

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never been a huge fan of POS, I've seen him live a few times over the years, and while I thought he was a nice rapper, I also thought he kinda just blended into the sea of talented under-exposed rappers out there. The only reason I picked this up was because there's not much else so far this year to look forward to and the limited edition artwork was interesting. So anyway for some reason my local record spot had this on the shelves a night early so I grabbed a copy since there was nothing else that looked remotely interesting and I'm very pleased with my impulsive buy.

1st off, the beats on Never Better sound far better suited for POS than the stuff he was working with (that I've personally heard anyway)on his other albums. Production credits name Lazerbeak, MK Larada, Paper Tiger & the man himself who handled the majority of the beats (all from the Doomtree collective) and they all seem to be sharply tuned into POS' vision for this album because they delivered perfectly.

Alright, so lyrically POS is in top form here, and his delivery is razor sharp. I've heard people complaining about his delivery, and after giving this a solid few listens I have no idea how they get there. This dude is a beast, and he's strictly talking about real life topics here. If you want fantasy raps about flashy cars, spending money like a fool, or any of that other nonsense most rappers these days constantly babble on about then look elsewhere, you're certainly not going to find any of that here. So on the same token we've got plenty of rappers out there riding on the common man persona which can be just as boring as the dudes rapping about their cars, shoes and their harem of gold diggers. Not the case at all with POS, he's a rapper most of use regular people can, and want to relate to. Perfect example of what this album is all about is the track Goodbye, you can find it on youtube or a site like last.fm I'm sure. Other standouts for me so far include Low Light Low Life with guest vocals by Dessa and SIMS, The Basics (Alright) has a cool drum and bass type of beat and it works well, Purexed & Out of Category are really strong track too. The whole album is actually really great, most heads and casual hip hop fans won't be disappointed with much on Never Better.

This album is very easy to recommend based on the music alone, but another cool thing about it is the fresh limited edition plastic digipak the CD comes in which has a bunch of these transparent & solid inserts that you can move around to customize the cover with. It also contains all the lyrics for the songs too, very nice addition IMO. I feel very comfortable giving this 5 stars after just 3 or 4 spins so far, it's easy to tell this will hold up - Grab this ASAP.

POS is a rapper! I have to get that out there first and foremost. People seem to want to classify him as punk rock, pop, or a number of other things due to the fact he has some fresh different music behind him, but he is a rapper true and true.

I am not familiar with is previous work, but his work on "Never Better" is very solid! As a rapper the man has a good flow and a style that is a little abstract, but you can still relate to. That is what sets him apart on the mic as he manages to be abstract but still gets his point across so it is very accessible.

Musically the man hooks up some dope stuff here. On some songs it does have rock feel, other songs have a pop feel, and still others really can't be classified. He works well with the music and it is definitely something most rap fans have now heard before.

So far, one of 2009's best CD and worth the purchase if you are looking for something new and fresh!

This album is SOLID. LIGHT YEARS ahead of Audition and Ipecac Neat. I like those albums too, don't get me wrong...but NEVER BETTER is just very, very, very solid. There are only like 1-2 tracks where I lose interest a little bit. But that makes all the other SOLID, SOLID, SOLID tracks seem even better than they already are! Bottom line, this is the best P.O.S. CD out. Use it to turn others onto P.O.S. the first track is by far the best in my opinion. LET IT RATTLE!

Alright so I've been a POS fan for a while now and when I heard he was finally releasing another album I was extremely excited. Finally February 3rd came along and I got the cd... and it's just amazing. I appreciate how real and meaningful his lyrics are on every track. There's no fake hip-hop lifestyle crap on this or any of his albums. His word are extremely real and from the heart. Also the beats on this album are crazy with his mix of rap and punk that just seem so hard that they want to make you get up and start something. I definately recommend this album for anyone who wants meaningful and inspiring rap, unlike the stuff you hear on the radio.

I have been a huge P.O.S fan since I first saw him live at paid dues. I own all three albums, and this is definitely his best one yet. I was a fan of the first two, but there were always a couple of songs that weren't as good as the rest. With this album, every single track is great. After the first listen, I was not that impressed, it was good, but not great, but the more you listen to it, and catch every lyric, and have time to catch the amazing beats, it gets better the more times you listen to it. P.O.S is definitely one of the most individual, unique rappers with the way he blends so many different styles, and makes it all his own, and then absolutely kills it lyrically. One of my favorite albums ever for sure. If you are even a little bit of a hip hop fan, and want something different, definitely get this album, you will not regret it.

This new release from P.O.S. eclipses most other contemporary hip-hop; it just exudes originality and raw energy. His blend of intelligent punk acerbity and soulful hip-hop produces a sound which is unlike anything I have heard before. A very solid, innovative hip-hop album; a new style which one can consider truly post-modern hip-hop.

Forget the Shop Boyz who don't really know anything at all about rock/ punk music theory (nor hip hop music theory lol) but just want to appear different than the rest of the crowd. Forget all the kids you see who are all of a sudden dressing like "rockers" but also know nothing about rock/punk music in general and are just following a fad phase that will soon pass. P.O.S. is the real deal, a fella who ACTUALLY grew up and lived everyday in the two parallel cultures of Hip Hop & Punk, and I have to say I can relate to his words very closely.
I don't do the download thing much, I still actually buy CD's (so I guess I'm old school now) and I went through quite a deal of trouble trying to find amongst the last remaining record stores in town who was holding Never Better. When I finally found it, it was all worth it because P.O.S. really fills his shoes and Hip Hop/Punk vision on this album. He has managed to seemlessly blend the two genres to create something you have never heard before you heard him. Necro has attempted to blend hip hop and metal but P.O.S.'s attempt to blend two opposite genres just feels so much more natural.
I have added a new song to the very short tracklist of my life's soundtrack and it's "Out Of Category". He explains the life of a black kid into punk and skating who is socially caught in between a rock and a hard place.
All the beats here are eccentric and proves P.O.S. upgrades his repertoire everytime he puts out something new, and his lyrics have never been more genuine than they are here. It's still a little early in the year to name Never Better a classic, but it's definately a nominee and the best album of 2009 so far by far. Buy Never Better right now.

- Chris BlaQ ;>

Check out my review for "Ipecac Live" to get a better idea of my experience with P.O.S. I've copied it here:

*****

I have to admit that the extent of my exposure to P.O.S was what I'd seen on Youtube. I knew he had a variety of influences, including punk, and I really enjoyed his music. However, until I saw him live on tour I had no idea of the real depths of this man's talent.

He truly has something to offer to everyone, and watching him perform live was nothing short of amazing. His energy, the energy of the crowd, the way he interacts with his audience ... it was the most enjoyable part of the day for me and I knew I had to have more!

I was sitting in the back of the amphitheater, vaguely aware of a familiar sound...and slowly I became pulled in by the lyrics, the flow, the raw energy of the crowd and the man who was standing among them, mic in hand. I was hooked.

After that, I decided to give his entire discography a listen, and I am stunned at what I've been missing. Is P.O.S. the best performer out there? I don't know. Is this the best rap/punk/rock album ever? That's subjective. :=) But have no doubt that it's very good, absolutely worth buying, and if you get the chance to see him live, GO. His flow, his energy and stage presence is one of the most fantastic performances I've seen ...*ever*.

I've gone from a casual listener of P.O.S. to a hardcore fan. :-)
*******


This album is just as good even if different from "Ipecac Live". His lyrics deserve close attention and I think everyone can find something to relate to in his music. Let P.O.S. flow and do his thing while you do yours, but take some time to *listen* to what he's saying. You won't be disappointed.

* a new fan*

I'm a big HIP-HOP fan, not so much a RAP fan, there's a huge difference. This cd is excellent. Good beats, great rhymes, and a live band, which is a big bonus. Very inventive lyrically, especially on Low-light Low-life. "This is the end of law and order.....Dick Wolfe." Brilliant.

I picked this up without hearing POS but only hearing of him. I am a fan of Sage Francis, El-P, Aseop Rock, Atmosphere..etc...so picking it up not listening to it and seeing it was on ryhmesayers was not a stretch. Thought the music on it was excellent and the delivery was on par. Seems like he gets caught up sometimes in the more tongue twisting bits..but that is a minor complant. I love when rap music can be original and keep away from the usually bitches, bling and money things.