Insane Clown Posse- The Marvelous Missing Link (Lost)

Since 1992 the Insane Clown Posse has done what no other Underground label has been able to do. They created a movement for those society rejects. Although they themselves have rarely been accepted by modern society, they created a home for the “lost” and made everyone feel welcome. They have managed to keep a ravenous fan base enthralled in every move they make. No matter what direction they have gone the millions and millions of fans followed almost religiously. They have pushed a positive message masked behind wicked lyrics and left many on the outside in shock at times. At the end of the first “Era” of jokers cards fans and skeptics found out the message behind the music was one of finding faith and trusting in a higher power. The latest release “The Marvelous Missing Link (Lost)” once again touches on the topic. The first of a two part story (The second to be released July 28, 2015) this release touches on those who have lost the “link” to that faith. It once again touches on dark and not so nice topics that most people try to avoid. Does this album continue the legacy that is the Insane Clown Posse? Or will the message behind it be “Lost”? Track listing

1. Intro
2. Lost
3. Apocalypse
4. Shock
5. Confederate Flag
6. Vomit
7. Falling Apart
8. How
9. Explosions
10. I’ll Keep My Hatchet
11. Neighbors Are Fighting
12. You Should Know
13. Flamethrower
14. I See The Devil

Track by track review and rating  Intro- Spoken word intro. This harkens back to the jokers card theme and presents the direction for the album. N/A Lost- This track has a very heavy and hard hitting beat that reminds listeners of “Hells Pit”. Violent J raps slow and methodical in time with the beat. The hook is simple and more melodic and is a nice foil to the verses. Shaggy hits the last verse hard while rapping around the beat here. 4.2/5 Apocalypse- A very trap heavy beat that is like nothing they have tried before. The hook is simple and repetitive but that isn’t a bad thing. This track embraces the dark sound that sets the tone for the album. The verses are dark and pull no punches. A nice return to the wicked sound. 4.4/5 Shock- A unique beat grabs the listener’s attention immediately. The hook is super simple but is hella dope. The verses are simple also but the theme of the song is great. The dark and nasty tone continues here. 4.5/5 Confederate Flag- A song very similar in content to “Fuck Your Rebel Flag” but the beat and music are super wicked and that adds another dimension to this one. The verse talks of the racism behind the confederate flag and what they really think of that movement. The hook pays direct homage to the previous song and that is a nice throwback. 4.5/5 Vomit- One of the first singles fans heard from this album. The intro is a discussion with Satan and that gives way to a bass heavy and disjointed beat. The verses speak of people who are self absorbed and really embody the negatives of society. The hook is simple but very catchy. 4.3/5 Falling Apart- A bass heavy beat backed by a simple guitar and piano riff. Violent J has described this song as his representation of turning 40 and the toll it takes on someone. The tone of the track is much more introspective but keeps with the darker tone of the album. The hook is simple and sung and it works. 4/5 How- A slower beat backed again by piano. The track takes a more rock turn. Very deep and thought provoking lyrics ask a lot of questions and that works here. The hook is much more rock but that is a nice change of pace here. 3.7/5 Explosions- Another trap heavy beat backs this one. The verses flow with the beat and it adds to the hard hitting nature. The hook is almost non-existent but it really isn’t needed here. 3.8/5 I’ll Keep My Hatchet- A track about ICP’s weapon of choice. A trap heavy hard hitting bass beat lead the verses here. The verses hit on various forms of weaponry but always fall back to their preference. The hook is simple and slow and that fits well in the track. 3.7/5 Neighbors Are Fighting- The beat in this track is very bass heavy. The verses speak of fighting and what they plan to do to people. The hook is simple almost to a fault here. Lyrically not the deepest song here but it fits in the album. 3.7/5 You Should Know- The hook is done with singing here and it definitely changes the pace and tone a little. This track is somewhat a love song, at least as close as ICP ever gets. This is all about disclosing infidelity to a girl prior to marriage. 4/5 Flamethrower- The beat is dark and heavy. The verses talk of a homemade flamethrower and its many uses. Once again the dark and wicked tone shines through. The hook strips the beat away but only for a few lines. 4/5 I See The Devil- A stripped down beat allows the lyrics to shine here. The hook is sung once again but it rounds the track off. The end of the track gives way to a majestic and calmer sound. A nice lead in to the second volume “Found.” 4.3/5 Overall Rating: 4.08 /5   Conclusion:  In this the first appearance of The Marvelous Missing Link ICP manages to recapture the wicked shit that fans have been begging for. The combination of trap heavy beats and EDM bass drops allows the group to reinvent the original sound they began so many years ago. Although comparable to “Hells Pit” in content there will be no mistaking the two. ICP gives fans the solid wicked album they have wanted while being able to once again tell great stories and push the ideology that has made them famous. By allowing producers Kuma and Otis to work the album they reinvented themselves here. Although in the future Mike E Clark will be back. With the new sounds and old school vibe Juggalos will love this album.