Customer Reviews

Forgotten Freshness 4

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've got to say that my high expectations for an ICP album were finally met for the first time in a while. Don't get me wrong, I liked ALL of the albums that many other juggalos criticized. I thought that Hell's Pit, Shangri-La, The Calm, Bizzar, Bizaar, and even FF3 were all good albums and I felt that the absence of Mike E. Clark since 2000 wasn't necessarily a bad thing for a change of pace. However, when you look at all of those albums in comparison to their older material it just isn't as solid. Riddlebox and Milenko are my two favorite ICP albums and probably always will be (unless they pull some magic with The Tempest). That being said, FF4 gives us some very solid tracks. The two remixes produced by Mike E. Clark bring back the old-school, pre-Bizzar/Bizaar M.E.C. that we all love. There are also two '90s buried treasures produced by M.E.C., as well as several strong guest appearances, and the return of Terror Wheel's narrator, Willoughby Raggs. ICP definitely appears to be taking a step in the right direction with this album. Here's the trax~

1. Intro - (A+) - I usually don't like to rate intros or skits, but this is an exception. Why? Because it incorporates the "Guess Who's Comin" chants from Tunnel of Love!! I always loved these back in the day when they were used as filler on T.O.L. Now we have an entire intro based around it, as well as some speaking from Legs Diamond. Awesome!
2. People - (B+) - Give this one a few listens before passing judgment. I didn't like it at all the first time that I bumped it, but it has grown on me since then. It definitely has the Shangri-La "pansy" vibe that many ninjas hate, but I actually like the chorus a lot. It's rainin' diamonds biznatch!!
3. Clown Walk - (C+) - This is little too cheesy for me. It really adds nothing to the album... I usually skip over it.
4. If I Was A King - (A-) - Very cool track with J and Shaggs rapping about how the would react if they were kings. It's funny and has a tight beat that matches the theme of the song perfectly.
5. Dear ICP - (B+) - Crazy old-school M.E.C. beat on this one. The lyrics are equally insane. The one definitely takes me back in time... it gets extra brownie points just for being an early '90s rarity that somehow stayed hidden until now.
6. Madhouse (feat. Tech N9ne) - (A+) - Finally, ICP and Tech together on the same track!!!!! And yes, I remember "Thug Pit," but that doesn't count. The song has a dope concept and, of course, Tech's verse is the highlight. I can't wait to hear future collaborations from Psychopathic and Strange Music.
7. Feels So Right - (A-) - The two ninjas below don't seem to like this song, but I think it's a great track, especially considering that it was produced by Mike P. If you like rock/metal and the heavier stuff, this is for you. This is the wicked shxt and its most wicked!!
8. Homies (M.E.C. Remix) - (B) - This is a vast improvement over the original version and eliminates the soft sound that was easy to make fun of. M.E.C. puts a great spin on the track and improves the chorus. However, when it all comes down to it, it's still "Homies"..... not ICP's finest hour.
9. STAAAAAAAALE!!!!! - (C-) - The title of the song says it all. Probably the second worst track on the album.
10. Bodies Fly - (B) - This is a nice lil' filler track that probably should have been used on Hells Pit. It really gets good when Violent J tells you to put your hands in the air.
11. Wicked Rappers Delight (feat. Esham) - (A+) - This song owns!! No chorus, just wicked rapping. Esham is dope as always, as is the beat he made for this track.
12. Panties - (A-) - I can understand why people don't like this, but I love it. It has a club beat with ridiculous bass that could have easily been used by Lil' John. This is about as mainstream as ICP could ever sound. A nice sample of things to come from Shaggy's solo album.
13. If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em - (B) - This is the second vintage track from the '90s. I like "Dear ICP" slightly more, but this is still a good song which brings back that old school feeling.
14. Nobody Move (feat. Mack 10) - (A+) - I've been waiting to hear this song for a while and it doesn't disappoint. It's nice to hear ICP working with Mack 10 and a different producer for once. Awesome chorus and tight verses.
15. Yours Begins Tonight - (D) - Uhhhh... no. Without a doubt the album's worst song. It has so much of the happy/friendly/whiny Shangri-La vibe that it is almost unlistenable. ICP goes emo.
16. C.P.K.'s (M.E.C. Remix) - (A+) - I always thought that this subject matter of this song was great, but the beat of the original version was pretty weak. Now that Mike E. Clark has produced the perfect beat to accompany the song, it finally gets the treatment that it deserves.
17. Swallow This Nut (feat. 2 Live Crew, Vanilla Ice & MC Breed) - (B) - Nothing groundbreaking here, but it's still a tight collaboration. Vanilla Ice recycles a portion of his verse from the song "Hooked" on To The Extreme (actually just the "Randy" and "Candy" part). MC Breed spits a dope verse and 2 Live Crew are average as always (Fish-N-Gritz is much better than Fresh Kid Ice by the way).

With regards to the Hallowicked Compilation, we've all heard these songs before and it is great CD. The only thing that was unexpected was the fact that they gave "Thug Pit" a new beat, which is much better than the original. I always thought that the original beat kind of sucked, which was a shame since they got all of those great artists on one track. In addition to the new beat they also took out Esham's old verse about killing Eminem, which really pissed me off. That was a great verse!!! Esham also spits one extra four-line verse in the new version too.

In conclusion, if you're a juggalo you obviously need to pick this up. For those of you that gave up on ICP when Mike E. Clark left, now is the time to start listening again!! The few new M.E.C. tracks that we've heard so far are the shxt, so obviously my optimism is high for The Tempest. Let's hope expectations are met... MMFCL to the juggalos & 'lettes!!!

Forgotten Freshness Vol. 4, the 4th installment in the compilation releases ICP has put out throughout their career, is pretty fresh. There were some songs I wish they could have put on here, more rare ones ("50 Bucks", "Jacob's Word", etc.) but it's still fresh.

"The People" is a feel good opener showing love to the Juggalos, and about how ICP does everything for the Juggalos. "Clown Walk" is a short club joint about doing the clown walk lol. A lot of ninjas won't like it at first but after a while I grew to like it. "If I Was A King" is a fresh joint about what it would be like if J and Shaggz were kings. "Dear ICP" finally showcases some old school freshness. Basically people ask for ICP's advice (mainly Shaggy's) and he proceeds to give them real uh 2 Dope advice lol. "Mad House" is an alright track. It features Tech N9ne, who as always, rips the track to shreds. J and Shaggy's lyrics fall a little short on this one though. Still, it's fresh enough. "Feels So Right" is my favorite track off the album. For some reason, it was left off Hell's Pit. It is definitely that wicked/horrorcore stuff that ICP's known for. Definitely love it. Next is a remix of "Homies" which I still dig. I like both versions equally as they song itself is one of my favorites. I think "Staaaaale" comes next though I don't really wanna know. That is the only truly terrible song on the CD. I tried to like it but I find nothing really appealing about it. They basically talk about stale stuff and scream the word out every other second. "Bodies Fly" is an aight track which woulda fit Hell's Pit really well too. It's a simple plot about J and Shaggz seeing bodies flying into the sky and exploding. "Wicked Rappers Delight" is somewhat of a historical song. As far as I know, it is the LAST song ICP and Esham recorded together before Sham left the Hatchet and started dissing. It's basically a freestyle session between the three rappers and is pretty fresh. "Panties" is a 2 Dope solo that took me time to get used to. It's kind of pointless and stupid but after seeing him do it live, I came to dig it a lot lol. "If You Can't Beat Em Join Em" is another Shaggy solo basically from the old school days. Fun song to listen to and J comes in at the end to sing about coming to the Carnival. "Nobody Move" is a thugged out track straight up featuring Westside Connection's own Mack-10. J and Shaggz actually throw some pretty fresh gangsta rhymes, reminiscent of the Psychopathic Rydas days. Mack also rips it up (hearing him shoutin out the Juggalos and Faygo is fresh). "Yours Begins Tonight" took some time to get used to, but it's a pretty fresh track altogether. It's basically about your paradise beginning right in front of you. Really diamond rain days type stuff but fresh nonetheless. Next is the remix to "CPK's" which I think is a lot better than the original. I never liked the old beat, but this one by Mike E. Clark blows it away. "Swallow This Nut" is a fun song to listen to featuring Fresh Kid Ice, Fish N Grits, MC Breed, and Vanilla Ice. Umm the title says it all.

Basically this serves as a good appetizer for The Tempest, which is bound to destroy the competition altogether.

Forgotten Freshness 4 is my favorite Forgotten Freshness yet. We get a glimpse as to what the sixth joker's card could've sounded like with Mike E. Clark's remixes of "Homies" and "C.P.K's" which are both improvements over the originals. "If You Can't Beat 'Em Join 'Em" and "Dear ICP" are old school songs from ICP's heyday. Mack 10, Tech N9ne and Vanilla Ice all make great guest appearances on "Nobody Move," "Madhouse" and "Swallow This Nut" respectively. If this album is any indication, it appears that ICP's music is taking a turn for the better, and hopefully the Tempest will pull ICP out of the dark ages and remind us all of why we started liking ICP in the first place.

Every song on this cd is tight. They even have 2 remixs done by MEC, not to mention 2 songs thatwere produced by him in 90's (If you cant beat em join em, Dear Icp). This even has Terror wheel's host return on here. The last song is one of the tightest (swallow this nut)
here is my rating for each song:

Intro-5/5Guess whos comin to your big town
Jugglin Juggalas Jugglin Juggalas!

The People-5/5 good song goes out toallthe juggalos every where

Clown walk-5/5 badass song this orignally wasn't really planned on being released

If I was a king-5/5 funny tells what icp would doif they were king

Dear ICP-5/5 one of the buried up tracks produced by MEC people write letters to icp and ask advice

Mad house- 4/5 ICP and Tecca Ninna once again and just for FF4

Feels so right- 3/5 ok but not their best

Homies (MEC remix)- 4/5 not as good as juggalo homies but still pretty damn impressive

staaaale!!!- 2/5 wasn't really into this song you can tell this one isn't "forgotten" they keep saying im fresh so fresh

bodies fly-5/5 this almost made it to hells pit the chorus was playing on insaneclownposse.com for awhile

wicked rappers delight-5/5!!!!! one of eshams last songs with psychopathic and one of his best PLEASE BRING HIM BACK!!!

Panties-5/5 shaggy2dope solo, one of the songs that will be featured on his new solo album FTFO

If youcant beat em join em-3.5/5 another MEC buried treasure

Nobody move-4.5/5 features Mack10

Yours begins tonight-5/5 greatsong almost was added to shangri-la

CPK remix (MEC)-5/5 great better than the original has a better beat, the original i'll give a 4/5

Swallow This nut-5/5!!!!!!!!one of the best songs on this album

I recomend this to any true juggalo I've had this in my stero ever since it came out.

I don't think i have to rate all the hallowicked songs since you've all heard em. The only thing I'llsayis in thug pit they've added a WAY better beat but the only downside is they took out one of esham's parts

Much Clown Luv

I've been down for almost 10 years and always purchase any ICP album, EP, solo stuff they make. I can say with all honesty this is the best album they've come out with in years. Mike E. Clark's remix of CPK is outstanding, the new tracks are excellent, and there is only one weak track, #7.

The production is really good and they certainly vary up the styles a lot. Reading the liner notes, it doesn't appear much of this was ever "forgotten", its almost just like a new album. There are a few old tracks and will remind you why your a juggalo to being with.

If your a new fan, this album is a must. I've been spinning it non-stop and continue to like it more and more. I'm looking forward to their upcoming album "the Tempest" and Mike E. Clark's production. I pray they don't ever let him go again, he is a fxxking genius and is the perfect producer for ICP. Stay down!

In my opinion MEC is as vital a part of ICP as Violent J and Shaggy, and without him The Wraith was a shadow of what it should have been. Here, we seen what it should have been with MEC on Homies and CPKs, both which are now 10x better. MEC's CPKs is by far the best ICP track since the Jeckel Brothers card (so much so that I wish they would re-release Shangri-La and Hell's Pit with MEC re-doing all the tracks). ICP has always been about telling a dark story, with J and Shaggy guiding us through a demented carnival, and MEC fleshing it out. Without MEC providing the proper atmosphere ICP's music just doesn't work. It's akin to having J and Shaggy tell you what is within the carnival, but not letting you in to see (or in this case, to hear) for yourself. I like PDM ok, but MEC needs to return to ICP for good. I hope that Homies and CPKs is a sign of things to come on The Tempest, because The Calm is not an album that should have ever been released. If it wasn't for Twiztid and ABK, I may have lost faith in Psycophathic after hearing that crap. And on that note, I want to see another Dark Lotus album already! MMCL!

This CD reminds me of why I liked ICP in the first place.

Since Mike Clark left (and I recommend his work on Project Deadman) ICP has been hit or miss for me. I liked The Calm, but they finally lost me entirely with Soopa Villainz.

Hell's Pit and The Wraith, to me, really gave Violent J time to grow and to shine as a writer. Similarly, the music in Project Deadman gave Mike Clark a chance to truly develop his music--and I still believe that his work on PDM was monumental and will last a long while.

It's time to bring it all back home for The Tempest.

Get the Forgotten Freshness 4 CD. It'll psyche Juggalos in a way that they haven't felt for too long. This is the first ICP CD in a long while that I play without reservation, whatever my mood. Thanks, and much love.

This is the fourth installment to the Insane Clown Posse's "Forgotten Freshness" series, which I am very fond of. And this compilation, just like the last 3, offers a vast amount of diversity and versatility.
This compilation was pieced together very well. It contains ICP from just about any era, including a cut track from their sophmore LP "Ringmaster" (Dear ICP), and a slew of brand new tracks. As well as very impressive collaborations. But there are very few weak spots (i.e. "Yours Begins Tonight", "If I Was King", "STAAAAAAAAALE!!!"), but that's just a few moments.

This album also marks the return of the since-2001-abscent legendary ICP producer Mike E. Clark. He lays down the beat for 2 remixes from both "Wraith" albums, and although Mike moved away from his old school, funk style of beats, these remixes are great, nonetheless.
Aside from the fingerful of production from Mike E. Clark here, the majority of this album's exclusive tracks are produced by the new Psychopathic Records production crew, they go by the name of Team Supreme, which consists of ICP, Lavel & Esham. And they do really well here with their hard-bass-thumpin' beats that will surely force you to bob your head.

As a bonus, this album also comes with an awesome pumpkin-scented disc with all of the Hallowicked tracks from 1994 to 1995. And in my opinion, the Hallowicked disc towers over "Forgotten Freshness, Vol. 4". It's funny if you think about it, the free bonus disc sells out the main attraction, but FF4 is still worth every penny.

Here's my individual track ratings.

DISC 1

01. "Intro (ft. Legs Diamond)" (A+)
02. "The People" (B+)
03. "Clown Walk (ft. Esham)" (A-)
04. "If I Was King" (C+)
05. "Dear ICP" (A)
06. "Madhouse (ft. Tech N9ne)" (A+) (favorite)
07. "Feels So Right" (A+)
08. "Homies (ft. Twiztid) (Mike E. Clark Mix)" (B)
09. "STAAAAAAAAALE!!!" (D+)
10. "Bodies Fly" (A-)
11. "Wicked Rappers Delight (ft. Esham)" (A+)
12. "Panties" (A)
13. "If You Can't Beat 'Em Join 'Em" (B+)
14. "Nobody Move (ft. Mack 10)" (A-)
15. "Yours Begins Tonight" (D+) (least favorite)
16. "C.P.K.s (Mike E. Clark Mix)" (A)
17. "Swallow This Nut (ft. Fresh Kid Ice, Fish 'N' Grits, MC Breed & Vanilla Ice)" (A+)

DISC 2 (Hallowicked Compilation)

01. "Intro" (N/A)
02. "Dead Pumpkins" (A+)
03. "Mr. Rotten Treats" (A-)
04. "Halloween On Military Street" (B-)
05. "Mr. Johnson's Head (Remix)" (A-)
06. "Pumpkin Carver (ft. Twiztid & Kottonmouth Kings)" (A+)
07. "Sleep Walkers" (A)
08. "Toxic Love" (A+)
09. "Every Halloween" (B-)
10. "Silence Of The Hams (ft. Esham)" (A+)
11. "Thug Pit (ft. Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony, Kottonmouth Kings, Tech N9ne & Esham)" (A+)
12. "Murda Cloak (ft. ABK)" (A+)
13. "Wicked Hellawicked" (A+)

This album is possibly my least favorite in the series, although it doesn't disappoint me at all. Just like alot of reviews said, even if you don't like "Forgotten Freshness, Vol. 4", it's worth the money for the "Hallowicked Compilation" alone. I do, however, recommend this to all Juggalos, horrorcore rap fans and acid rap fans. This definitely is a great addition to the "Forgotten Freshness" series. I hope they come up with Vol. 5 soon. Peace.

Legs Diamond appears courtesy of Psychopathic Records.
Esham appears courtesy of Psychopathic Records.
Tech N9ne appears courtesy of Strange Music.
Twiztid appears courtesy of Psychopathic Records.
Mack 10 appears courtesy of Hoo Bangin' Records.
Fresh Kid Ice appears courtesy of Chinaman Records.
Fish 'N' Grits is currently an unsigned artist.
MC Breed appears courtesy of Psychopathic Records.
Vanilla Ice appears courtesy of Liquid 8 Records.
Kottonmouth Kings appears courtesy of Suburban Noize Records.
Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony appears courtesy of Mo Thug Records.
ABK appears courtesy of Psychopathic Records.

~ Raw Hide

I have personally never been dissapointed by the Wicked Clowns..and this release is no different! Definitely a must have for Juggalos. Mike E. Clark's take on "Homies" is ,ofcourse, not as good as the original...cuz the original is a Juggalo Classic as is, but it is a descent remix.
Highlights include "The People"(tribute to the fans), "STAAAALE", and "Bodies Fly"(why it was left off of hell's pit I'll never know).
And then there's the "Hallowicked" compilation CD which includes every hallowicked song released to date....need I say more!!
Overall...pick it up, a great addition to the Forgotten Freshness series!!

This release is good but not as good as FF1&2. Its better than FF3 for sure. Mike Clark does a great job on CPK's Remix. The original I always thought had great lyrics but horrible production. Mike Clark does it right and brings back that old school ICP feel on CPK's. The remix of Homies is dissapointing, but how can you possibly improve that song? Overall, the Cd is worth buying just for the Hallowicked collection alone. I would recommend the cd but there are some songs on here that are rather...well...dumb. Now I've been listening to ICP since the release of riddlebox and love most of what they have done except Hells Pit (terrible album), but some things are just to juvenile and dumb, even for ICP. Songs like Clown Walk and Panties are just annoying. Onther than that, most of the songs on this album are good. Just buy it.