Insane Clown Posse - Carnival of Carnage

I.C.P. - "Carnival Of Carnage"

This is not only the first release with Violent J, 2 Dope and John Kichass rapping as "Insane Clown Posse", but this is the first ever release from arguably the most successful Horrorcore Rap label to date, Psychopathic Records.

This, along with their previous "Inner City Posse" albums was without a doubt an experimental album, they had no clue what they wanted their style to be. In this album, they took on gangsta rap (Wizard Of The Hood), Horrorcore Rap (Guts On The Ceiling), Storytelling Rap (First Day Out) and even Political Rap (Taste). They attempted and succeeded very well amongst all styles. However, although this is an experimental album, they ended up to this date with a completely different style, so in each I.C.P. album, do not expect another like this one. This one is unique in that way.

Aside from the lyricism, the production also stands out, courtesy of former Detroit producer Chuck Miller, the legendary Esham and Mike Clark. Even I.C.P. themselves are noted as producers. The track that stands out the most here productionwise is without doubt "First Day Out", mainly because of its originality and how well the flow from the rhymes fits it.

Amazon has recently limited the maximum characters to 4000 words (I believe). So, I can't really give a track-by-track breakdown and tell you my thoughts behind each individual track. I can, however, throw out the tracklisting and my personal A to F rating.

01. "Intro" N/A
02. "Carnival Of Carnage" (A)
03. "The Juggla" (A)
04. "First Day Out" (A+) (my favorite)
05. "Red Neck Hoe" (C-) (least favorite)
06. "Wizard Of The Hood" (A+)
07. "Guts On The Ceiling" (A)
08. "Is That You? (ft. Kid Rock)" (B+)
09. "Night Of The Axe" (A)
10. "Psychopathic" (A+)
11. "Blackin' Your Eyes" (B-)
12. "Never Had It Made" (A+)
13. "Your Rebel Flag" (B+)
14. "Ghetto Freak Show" (C+)
15. "Taste (ft. Jump Steady, Capitol E., Nate The Mack & Esham)" (A)

All in all, I recommend this to all fans of old skool hip-hop. Don't fall into the whole "I.C.P. is the worst group ever" logic. Granted, I was skeptical upon purchasing this, but after popping this into the CD player, I instantly wanted more. Get this.

Peace.

~Raw Hide June 17, 2008

Carnival Of Carnage unbias review

First of all I am not a juggalo let's get that in the open. Although, I am a hip hop lover and want to give unbiased opinion of Carnival of Carnage. I am not here to trash ICP, or gloat about them, and I do prefer Eminem over ICP any day. I own about six ICP albums. This is by far the best one that comes closest to old skool rap. I really do like the majority of this album. Most of the album sounds like it was made in a basement but I think it works in that regard. The Lyrics don't always work but most of the time it is at least okay.

My favorite tracks are: 1.) Wizard of the hood, 2.) Psychopathic, and 3.) Taste.

This album is not for everyone but I think it comes closest to actual rap. It is different from the later albums. I would recommend if you are in the mood to try ICP and want to hear an old skool sounding album. Just be mindful the album is over 14 years old and if you don't like strong language and extreme themes well that's ICP so you won't like this album at all.
November 15, 2007

Uncut Carnage

My intial review for this album can be found on the section with the 13 track version of CoC. This is to rather talk about the differences between the two, and there aren't many. If you're used to hearing the newer version it'll seem a little weird getting used to this if you're interested. This is recommended for purists, even though it is the original album. The newer version was remastered but there is no difference in sound, the only difference really, is the removal of two tracks - Night Of The Axe(the prequel to Hell's Pit's Night Of The 44) and Blackin' Your Eyes. It's never been explained why this was done. In a way though it is obvious that the violence level on the first jokers card is pretty rampant and even at times immature and over indulgent, and it also may seem appearent that Night Of The Axe and the more known standard of the album Psychopathic are the same song and Blackin' Your Eyes while entertaining doesn't really add anything. While NOTA is a fun song to hear, lyrically it's no different from the serial killer point of view poetry expressed in so many other ICP tracks. However it does exhaust the duo's early ambitions and was a popular track to perform live in the earlier days, so for Dark Carnival fare it is of somewhat historical importance. The other difference is the reversal of tracks Guts On The Ceiling with Is That You? And a removed ending skit for Psychopathic that sets up the premise for Blackin' Your Eyes. I recommend the original version with the two missing songs, but those who are used to hearing the newer version may find it a little disrupting. July 27, 2007

For your enjoyment; the I-C...muthafu**kin' P!

Fresh from their Inner City Posse/Dog Beats days and with a new concept and idea, the young Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope present us with the first episode of the dark carnival - Carnival Of Carnage. This album focuses a lot on the government shunning of the ghetto and lower class urban life. The intro introduces everything nicely, following into a great beat with the title track song that leads us into the real album and the best ICP song ever, the trademark Juggla. This song introduces the horrorcore songwriting and the sampling of Prince's Kiss puts this one into overdrive. There is no rock hybrid on this early work, all pure rap. First Day Out mellows things out, before we get into another dose of classic early ICP - Red Neck Hoe, while it may seem immature and reptitive upon first listen, the music as well as "lyrics" will grow on you. There are numorous weak cuts here including Is That You, featuring an unknown Kid Rock, the pedestrian Guts On The Ceiling. But things pick up for the slasher movie influenced must hear Psychopathic and Your Rebel Flag, as well as Never Had It Made and the pre closer Ghetto Freak Show, I also believe that the true overlooked gem though is said closer, the funky Taste - featuring, Nate The Mack, Capitol E, Jumpsteady and Esham about revenge on the govt's actions towards the ghetto life, the song cooks. So on the first page of the dark carnival, they introduce themselves on right start and this direction would only be polished and further explored as they went on. March 18, 2007

Carnival Of Carnage

Here we have the very first Insane Clown Posse album, and first Joker's Card "Carnival Of Carnage". Recorded back in 1992 when ICP was 3 members. Before ICP ever had a record deal, just as young teenage kids. This album sold 17 copies on the day it was released, and thats the reason behind ICP using the number 17 in many songs throughout their career.

Intro: Spoken intro by Violent J. This introduces the Carnival Of Carnage to you. With carnival sounds in the background.

Carnival Of Carnage: 4/5 - This song sets the tone of the album. Produced by the legendary Esham. Just the words "Carnival Of Carnage" repeating over and over, over a nice beat.

The Juggla: 4/5 - One of the best songs on the album. Introducing Violent J to you as "The Juggla".

First Day Out: 3/5 - This song was later covered by Twiztid on the album Mostasteless. The theme to this song, is Violent J gets out of jail and goes on a date to "catch his nut".

Red Neck Hoe: 3/5 - This is the first song on the album with all 3 members of ICP on it. This track is basically dissin girls from down south. This song was later re-recorded with Twiztid on it in 1999

Wizard Of The Hood: 3/5 - Okay, this is like the 3rd version of this song, it was made twice before on Inner City Posse albums "Dog Beats" and "Intelligence & Violence". This is a thugged out version of "Wizard Of Oz".

Guts On The Ceiling: 2/5 - A song about Violent J walking around Detroit to find his body parts that he lost.

Is That You?: 5/5 - This is a song featuring the legendary Kid Rock back when he was about 21 years old. Probably the only time you will ever hear ICP and Kid Rock on the same track. One of my favorite songs on the album.

Night Of The Axe: 3/5 - This song is only available on the original version of the album. ICP later made a sequel to this song on the album Hells Pit called "Night Of The .44". This song is about Violent J going on a killing spree, its pretty violent.

Psychopathic: 3/5 - The beat to this song is kind of like a horrorcore version of "More Bounce To The Ounce" from Zap & Roger Troutman.

Blackin' Your Eyes: 2/5 - Another song only available on the original version of this album. Produced by Esham, and features Shaggy & John Kickchass rapping and Violent J just says a few words. So this is pretty much a piece of history as far as ICP goes. This song is about beating up girls who cheat or break hearts. But, what else can you expect from some teenagers.

Never Had It Made: 3/5 - Co-Produced by Esham.

Your Rebel Flag: 5/5 - This is a CLASSIC ICP song. Its about killing racist rednecks and burning rebel flag's. One of the very few songs that features all 3 members of ICP.

Ghetto Freak Show: 4/5 - Produced by Esham. Catchy hook.

Taste: 5/5 - Featuring Esham, Capitol E, and Jumpsteady. Good song to top off the album with. Also, features all 3 members of ICP.



Bottom line this is a decent album. Worth buying in my opinion. Especially if youre an ICP fan. Over all i give this album 3/5. February 27, 2007

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