Rating: NNN
When hiphop’s equivalent of a metal band decides to take people up on the comparison and record an album backed by hard rock instrumentals, what happens? It doesn’t create a jarringly inappropriate sound, that’s for sure. Their comfy verbal back-and-forth remains intact and strong, but the live band’s rock riffs actually limit their sound more than if they had used all types of production. The exceptions are the few re-recorded versions of past hits. It gets heavy, but a vague listlessness makes me feel they glommed onto this idea a bit late. MOP should realize that their frenetic rapping provides more moshing material than the most thrashingly fuzzed-out Ibanez guitar ever could.
The Mash Out Posse raise the roof at System Soundbar Tuesday (June 29).
