…for now.

It has been rather quiet here as Mike and I are having to deal with life at the moment. Episode 32 has been a nightmare editing scenario, too, so let me just spoil it here: We liked Neon Indian. That episode’s release will be delayed indefinitely because of one major event: the end of the year/decade episode! Major plans are in the works and as soon as we have some details confirmed, we will post it here ASAP. We’re looking to make this as interactive as possible, so keep your eyes on the blog for more details soon!

For right now, the long-promised post by Jerry Terrifying with his thoughts on Insane Clown Posse. Take it away, Jerry:

“Yo,

I’m a new listener to lo-fidelity, what caught my eye was your review of an ICP album. I listen to Mike’s other podcasts but I also grew up a hardcore Juggalo so naturally I had to hear what you guys had to say and I was actually surprised you liked it. I’m the exact opposite of your guest expert. I instantly loved ICP the second I saw/heard them on Public Access TV way back in 1998. So I cut my teeth on their older, better music. Your expert started listening well after they jumped the shark.

Before the last Jokers card they released two CDs called Bizzar and Bizaar. Definitely one of their weakest releases…there was one album’s worth of good material, and a buncha doo doo they mixed and matched with the good and released those two CDs. Now personally everything released before those two CDs is pure epic genius. Everything after is hit or miss. Yes they’ve released some good songs but nothing on the level of genius of their earlier work with the first five Joker’s Cards or the sideshow EPs.

A lot of the material on Bang Pow Boom reminds me of those generic halloween sound CDs you get at the supermarket. “We’ve got spiders a spooky things and a witch and cut off her head lol” that’s… just so tame and shows a complete lack of any creativity.

What made ICP great is the entire idea of the Dark Carnival or rather the Carnival of Carnage…an ancient dead carnival powered by mankind’s evil deeds doing God’s work through all the powers of Hell. It’s the greatest story told in music. Each Album a warning to mankind to change their ways before Carnival comes to your town and carries away your wicked soul covered in wax on display in the Wax Musem for all eternity. Each album is filled with positive messages but delivered in filthy satire… they even have a song about pollution. POLLUTION! You commented that some of the songs sound out of place… specifically the song “Boing Boing.” You have to keep in mind they’re clowns! They exist to entertain and to make you laugh. So right along their deeper songs there’s songs that exist simply to make you laugh.

Another problem with the group is they got rid of Mike E Clark at one point. That guy is a musical genius. Some of the best rap beats ever made are on ICP’s older albums thanks to Mike E Clark’s genius. Around the time of Bizzar Bizaar they got rid of him and the music took a huge dive in quality. It wasn’t bad… but it wasn’t anywhere as good.

I’m also going to include some youtube links to songs I feel better capture what made ICP so amazing and dear to me.

The Stalker – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44cFfOuAn6w
One of the funniest songs you’ll ever hear. Stick around for the joke at the end of the answering machine bit, subtle and hilarious. “I’m gonna go brush my teeth!”

These songs are kind of creepy but also some of their best work. Ever.

Amy’s in the Attic – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HKmPx_0ClM

Prom Queen – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhRL5MsZ2qA

The Smog, the one about pollution – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfZP38vmAoM

Songs that tell the story of the Dark Carnival or have some kind of message:

Wax Museum – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kg7zg-FEJI
I can picture this in my head so clearly and love hearing this song and think this is what Mike was looking for.

The Loons – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooqi2nmXKbA

12 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rUrYTAEEw
It would seem dead clowns don’t like the death penalty.

Great Milenkos intro with Alice Cooper… – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpEChMRsRW8
…and the first song which kind of goes with the intro. – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=894asgAggRU&feature=related
That song has the best beat ever composed.

Hall of Illusions – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zBwku76KKw

Awesome Hallowicked Clown Show singles:

Mr Rotten Treats – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvzg-94ys1w

Halloween on Military Street – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1RC2evHOFc

Anyway this is probably the longest e-mail ever written, but I feel those songs are a much better representation of good ICP music. Especially compared to the hit or miss stuff on Bang Pow Boom. Oh and everyone should hear Super Ball at least once in their life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK-zRTil4×0

I’ll also throwin the Amazing Maze – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlz_e3rofZk

The remake of Redneck Hoe – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1oBVueljBw

The Sleepwalker – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqqr45QeMr4

Now not all of these songs particularly convey the message of the Dark Carnival but I think the lyrics are a lot stronger. There’s a lot more creativity in everything they made before Bizaar Bizzar. A lot of their newer music sounds so…uninspired like those halloween sound cds…but man listen to the older songs I linked to. I think it’s more creative, sounds better and lyrically superior by a long shot.”

Thanks so much for the email, Jerry! Always feel free to send us long emails like this. The more we talk about your favorite artists, the better it is for everyone else still on the fence. Feedback@lofidelity.info is the email address.