Album Review: Insane Clown Posse - Bang! Pow! Boom!
An artist’s fan base can make or break a career, and so was born the “crowd hype” at concerts and elaborate album art combating pirated music. Psychopathic Records knows the benefits of fan dedication, despite numerous jabs at the label’s creativity and legitimacy in the music world. Before Psychopathic became sole representative of Insane Clown Posse (ICP) following their departure from Island Records, a small but powerful following became evident with devoted fans calling themselves Juggalos/Juggalettes — this force is to be reckoned with, regardless of criticism directed at their taste in music. With such dedication to a “less accepted” act we now ask ourselves come 2009, is ICP’s 11th studio album Bang! Pow! Boom! everything the Juggalos hoped for? Is the album better, worse, or simply plateauing on a hatchet-happy medium?
The bread winners of Psychopathic consist primarily of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. During the advent of the Joker’s Card albums, which introduced a “dark carnival” as symbolism for purgatory, ICP’s biggest reign rested upon the late ’90s rap rock sound and diminished some even before this lengthy conceptual story arc ended on Shangri-La come 2002. The pair had high profile issues, including a beef with then budding artist Eminem (ICP hails from his home state of Michigan) and the split from Island Records. Juggalos have remained intrigued, buying compilation after compilation, but once the carnival saga concluded, ICP tried moving away from it with minimal success.
Bang! Pow! Boom! is possibly a result, as the album’s been labeled a return to the Dark Carnival. Though not in its own right a Joker’s Card, it can be seen more or less like a sideshow act or carny peon speaking on their terms. Now, everyone who has listened to even ICP’s better known releases (we refuse to count the greatest hits disc) will note the gradual lessening of dark overtones and horrorcore, so one can safely assume once we hit The Tempest’s “I Do This” and Shangri-La’s “Homies” there was no turning back completely - and that is the tricky part.
Bang! Pow! Boom! is by and large a party record, with clean production courtesy of Mike E. Clark (Bizaar and Bizzar), generally uplifting tunes like “Juggalo Island” and “Miracles” and even ICP’s take on dance music with “Chop Chop Slide”. There’s even a moment of reflection that, while some say could play out like The Offspring’s “Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?”, deals in tones rivaling even Shangri-La’s “The Unveiling”, if one considers how often ICP gets serious. Stand out tunes here include “To Catch A Predator”, “Zombie Slide”, and, oddly enough, “Chop Chop Slide” for you nostalgic people out there reliving prom night. Taking the signature ICP exaggerations about murder and animated corpses out of Bang! Pow! Boom!, no one could suspect this of being anything but party music and that, my friends, is an utter relief in some aspects, a letdown in few others.
From a twenty-something fan’s perspective, those who harp on wanting another dark record can honestly learn to grow up. The message (taken seriously or not) post Joker’s Card was in fact a spiritually positive one, so let go of the acne-shaded you and move on from “kill the world” mindsets because negativity is not conducive to the family aesthetic true Juggalos are known for — though the routine visits to “Piggy Pie” and “Bitches” are, of course, plain fun. Bang! Pow! Boom! is not strictly for the fans, though fans will feel at home on the anti-pedophile track “To Catch A Predator”, which is reminiscent of “Halls Of Illusions” subject matter, or the bravado of “In Yo Face”. If we look at this record from a Juggalo perspective, they will eat this whole release up no matter what critics tell them.
On the downside, professionally speaking, ICP has never been able to write truly beautiful lyrics; “Miracles” tries to be such and winds up sounding like a parody of itself, though probably unintentionally. ICP has always had trouble expanding the fan base on their own terms, as typically word of mouth purists preach Carnival Of Carnage, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers, or The Tunnel Of Love EP at best, thus negating new material out of the gate. While it is well known amongst the duo’s brethren that nobody at Psychopathic gives a damn about the mainstream, it’s obvious ICP do at least want some fresh support based on Bizaar, Bizzar, and beyond. Bang! Pow! Boom! succeeds somewhat in emanating an “everyone’s welcome” atmosphere, whether this was purposeful or not.
We could argue all day long about the relevance of ICP during 2009, the attempt at making a record for dark carnies, and newcomers alike, which in this writer’s humble opinion was partially successful. We could debate for hours about who is more hardcore or what gimmicks this act is willing to take on, but there is nothing to be said that has not already been discussed at great length. It is one-third party record, one-third creep show, and one-third substituting substance for happy trails and funny skits, but for what ICP has always been Bang! Pow! Boom! cannot really be improved past its current incarnation. Experiments were done, pot smoke was abstained for better vocals, and lots of time went into this release, which like or not has been anticipated greatly in Juggalo circles. Bottom line here: Bang! Pow! Boom! is a damn good record for a new ICP, making a final transition with danceable rap rock and enough disturbing imagery to make us happy as a clown in a Faygo shower.
Rating: 
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Bang! Pow! Boom! - Insane Clown Posse
well shit it was kool in all but i still like there old shit better.like dont get me wrong it waz the shit but there old shit i think is better. WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!NINJA OUT!MMFWCL!FJK!
okay. This is for the kid at the top who can’t really seem to type to save his life. okay you obviously cannot spell and the fact the you’re grown but yet you are talking shit online and calling people pussies and dumbasses that you dont even know is just retarded. im only 17 but even i know not to talk shit online or anything. even if i did call you a bitch online like you’ve been doing to everybody, what are you going to do about it? Spam me with email?? Im not sure of this or not but i do believe you are a virgin for your maturity level; and by saying this my point is you need to grow up and get laid. calm down with all your stupid screaming and w/e you do over the internet. i swear kids do that 24/7 over xbox live and its really pathetic. For once try calling one of a dumbass to our faces and if you really need an adress then just let me know: Danielleach@ymail.com
To RIZMIZM,
It is people like you that pigeonhole ICP, Twiztid, and anyone else on the Psychopathic docket into being shit upon or overlooked completely.
If the boys of ICP can mature a little and produce something both fans and others can even remotely appreciate, why can you not seem to write a single complete sentence in correct English?
Even Violent J has better grammar than you, and rappers have lyrical license to use slang out the ass.
You, sir, are the definition of a man-child — and I mean that as politely as possible.
Yeah sorry man, I still have no fucking clue what you’re talking about. That’s fine though.
if you’re an english major in an astronaut. i feel slightly less intelligent for reading that nonsense.
I agree to disagree. There were a bunch of other blogs that I had read. And there really was alot of whining. ICP does kick ass. I’ve worked Two or Three or four of their shows at The Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri. Got to Bullshit with them. I bet we got six or eight cases of Faygo they left behind over the years. Some of it signed to my little boy by J and Shag. Anyhoo, It wasn’t supposed to make any sense. Just take it for what it is. just if your gonna whine. Whine to your bitch. Try and whine at a show. See if you Dont Get Bitch slapped. Actually what was said before makes complete sense. your a fucking idiot if you cannot understand the message within the What The Fuck..!!! I’m actually an English Major from MU figure it out dude..!! Peeeace..!! HMMMMMMMM. think Think No disrespect Bud we all fail to see things for what they really are once in awhile. You g et it yet. been said twice. Gotta Love It, Chicken Nugget..!!! Do you realize your whinning?? To me About something you didn’t understand. It ain’t about us. Its about that..!! Take Care Bra Just love Fuckin with the Minds of Others…!!!!!!!! Appreciate the Criticizm..!!! LATE MESSAGGE WAS SIMPLE DONT BE A LITTLE BITCH..!! DID YOU NOT SEE THE HUMOR?? DID YOU FAIL T O UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET ACROSS. SIMPLE “DONT WHINE” PERIOD No worries no whinning! No disrepect to anybody. Dont Hate on something you haven’t fully understood..!! Or yes you truely are an . or better yet IGNORANT. Quit Fucking Whinning. Got it yet. understand it for what it is, read and move on. read again if you must dont whine about it. have you realized i may be whinning about people whinning. Got your attention though. What The Fuck.!!!!!!! Goddamn, this is some funny shit..!! ICP FUCKING RULES…..AND I AM STILL VERY RICH AND VERY FUCKED UP IN THE HEAD.!!!!! OR NOT??? Remain Insane No Strain On The Brain..!! Anybody seen my Helmet?? fuck are we there yet. i need help dont I..!??? fuckfuckfuckfuck i gotta go thinkthinkthink got it yet?????
Dude, what? That was literally incomprehensible. Were you just defending ICP or not? Either way, you might want to get off the music blogs and start catching up on your remedial english skills bro, that shit you just threw up on my computer screen did nothing but solidify the fact that ICP fans are pretty much the dumbest mother fucks on earth.
.B.lah Blah fuckin Blah bitch whine wet self pussywhip bitchass fucking pussies. WTF. If you truely are.! Shut the fuck up. Whine to your bitch not another man. If it (being what is Life) doesn’t change, move,aggress, piss some fuckers off, turn,fuck, suck, get fucked and sucked. You aint got a motherfuckin thing. In other words you got dick. refer to the top. Whine to your bitch..!! ain’t gotta bitch youare the bitch talk to mommy pussy..! dont like it FUCKYOU..!! Kenny G. still needs you FAG..!! Now the shit still is what it is. Take the good with the fuckoff. What the Fuck Do You Really Know Anyway. It is still very much in your fuckin face if you dont see it Find it. If you fail to see. refer to above KG reference you queer you can blow my horn..!! You Are What You Are You Fucks.! ICP is what the fuck they is. That ain’t never gonna change. Ain’t never gonna die neither.! Daddy aint gone crazy.! Stan is a fucking peeter puffer and loves the milk chocolate penis slim jimmys.!! We All Motherfuckin Crazy..!! Now shut the fuck up and grow a set . Dont like it let me be the first to say……….FUCKYOU pussy. Down for life.! bown chicky wown chicky wown chicky mowm WHAT YOU FUCK..!!!! Come get Some..!!!!!!!!! THEY HERE FOR YOU..!!
Successful troll is successful…
Not a dumbass: Re-read the comments. If these people are trying to “sound intelligent” (as you put it), let’s just say that they’re not succeeding. But that begs the question, what is wrong with trying to sound intelligent? Would you rather read the opinions of those who are trying to sound like idiots? If so, that says more about you than it does about them.
After a thorough and thoughtful review, I expected some intelligent comments. Why would anyone want to be part of a crowd that can barely write, let alone think? The stupid homophobia and 3rd grade taunts are just embarrrasing. Are you fans even real or just a parody of yourselves? You either grow in life or you die — spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. That’s what the brothers are trying to tell you. If you think that means they’re “gay”, then you’re an idiot. Grow up.
ICP are underrated
but better underrated than generic.
too much dumb-asses trying to
sound intelligent round here for my liking.
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion though
even dumb-asses…….
Hello juggalos & juggalettes,
I just want too say bang pow boom! was of the hook & is really good. i just wanted too say much much clown love you all.
i will allways be down but this ne shit is not cool
how can any of you so called juggalos hate on this album there singing the same shit listen to your albums for real listen to the lyrics and see if you understand and apply their lessons to your own life dats the truth all you niggas who listen to try and be hard or gangster is fake a juggahoe it’s a fam all bout the fam love your fellow fam whoop whoop
Jesus Christ. This is sad.
Wow, I thought ICP always sucked, but boy am I right.
I’m a juggalo for life. One thing that ICP rep’s is not to fall in with the biggots, love everyone, and their opinions, just keep reppin’ while the rest of these peeps live a sad un-enlightened life.
WHOOP WHOOP!
MMFCL ninjas
P.S. (underground os where all the REAL talent lies, all that radio shit is just to program you all into a managable existence, with out chaos, you can never be free)
Whoop Whoop!!! Bang! Pow! Boom! Is and well always be one of the best albums ICP put out and i can’t wait to go to the other concert in AZ hell yeah. Also to all you juggalos and juggalettes that don’t knoe yet J said at the Bang! Pow! Boom! tour that this album might even be the first of an all new Six Jokers Card!! Whoop Whoop! I’m gonna be down with the Clowns till’ I’m Dead in the ground!!!
Went to the show 9/29/09 at Marquee Theater it was off the hook ICP was the bomb along with Hed(P.E.) The Daton Family and a couple other undergroung bands. MMFWCL!! Whoop Whoop!!!
BPB! Is the shit.
Going to the show tomorrow.
Much clown love.!
WOOP WOOP.!
i’m printing this page out for proof that you are saying your going to kill me and take you to court and sue you but you probly dont have any money because you spend everything on icp i bet you even baught this gay cd just do something better with you money all you juggalos need to die so i can live my life
fuck you bitch your a fag and i’m going to kill you
all juggalos are fags who but fuck each other every day and fantasyze about fucking icp
FUCK YEAH. MMFCL!!!!!!
Seriously how can you guys even call yourselves Juggaloes when you can’t even spell Milenko correctly?!?!?! Not only that if you are true Juggaloes what difference does it make when they come out with a new album that YOU might not like, how many of us Juggaloes do like the new shit?? The only reason you guys don’t like it is because it has upbeat beats to it, listen to the fuckin’ lyrics people, its what they have always been about anyway!!! Love the album, LOVE the FAM!!! Juggalo 4 life, WHOOP WHOOP!!!
hell yeah fuck a juggahoe bang pow boom is the shit so FUCK OFF !
fuck anyone who dont like the new icp shit. you damn juggafonies.
Youve got 2 be fuckin jokin… You people are fuckin amazin this new album is straight shit. Id bin waitin for this but oh my god wen i heard this i sad as hell. The need 2 go back 2 like beverly kills and milinko and shit. I cant lie to catch a predator is sick but thats tha only good song.this is there viggest launch and tha biggest let down. Im not done wit icp but damn this is totaly not wut id bin hyped up 2. Im sorry. Shag and j but yall gotta go back 2 that old skool shit cuz this new shit just aint workin…
i think bang pow boom is the first of a second set of jokers cards i mean just take a good long listin to it you can hear a lil of all six of what i’m now calling the first set of jokers cards but this set might have a whole new message.
WHOOP WHOOP was up my ninja brothers this is ziggy the clown this concert is gunna be off the hook peace out
yo was up my ninja brothers this is goin to be the most wicked thing ever ceya there whoop whoop ziggy out my fav album is great malinko
yo was up my ninja brothers this is goin to be the most wicked thing ever ceya there whoop whoop ziggy out
YO CHECK it all of the freshest wicked shit can be found here on HATCHET RADIO tune in for myh show Lunatikks Asylum
ICP could make it or break it for me with this one. Been a juggalo for a while now and since the 6th it was dissapointment after dissapointment. I decided that if I didn’t like this BPB, its gonna be over with trying out the new stuff.
But man did they get their act together. If I believed in god, I’d thank him on my knees for Bang Pow Boom! This is my return to the dark carnival for shure!
Great album. I loved the jokers car era but that is dead and gone. Shaggy has always been a lil less hardcore than J, but that is what makes the duo great. J can be the insane killer while Shaggy can be the mellow, dope head who when pushed can kill ya. It is a great act.
My fav album by far is The amazing Jeckel Brothers, and 2nd being The Great Malinko.
Now bang, pow, boom, is a god album in its own. Beautiful Doom, In Yo Face, Zombie Slide, To Catch and Predator, Love, and Fonz Pond are all sounds from the blue album that I jam to everyday.
i think it’s 1 of the dopest albums they’ve brought out i’ve been a juggalo for about 10 years now will be a juggalo 4 life
downloading it now, oh yeah!
are you fucking kidding me?
This is a joke right? -100 for CoS
nope
Oct 15th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
[...] performance on October 13th is higher than that of the duo’s newest release titled Bang! Pow! Boom! – there is a significantly good reason for this. As stated before, the album was quite frankly [...]