Customer Reviews

Great Milenko

5 star:		(276)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(36)

 

 

Sure, they are obnoxious, annoying, overweight morons parading around in clown suits and makeup. But their aggressive, fiery attitudes earned them a cult following in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan. "The Great Milenko", ICP's major-label debut, released on Hollywood Records, was a success. They had a realistic budget for the record ($1 million), and guest spots including Alice Cooper, Slash, Steve Jones and Legs Diamond. It's obviously an early tangled web of rap-metal, that focused mainly on white suburban kids. But ICP does bring some original flavor to the table. I'm not what you would call a Juggalo, but as a teenager, I was a huge fan of this album. These guys have talent, but several of their albums miss the mark. That's not the case with "The Great Milenko". The songs aren't groundbreaking, per se, but they are intoxicatingly fun to listen to. This album will turn as many people on, as it will turn off. Some people will never get past the fact that these guys are gimmick-ridden fat evil clowns. But when looked at musically, ICP shines nicely on "The Great Milenko".

Hollywood Records pulled the album from the shelves, claiming that they "didn't know" about the vulgarity of the lyrics held within (a little strange for a label that invested a million bucks in the project). The album was picked up by Island Records and it kept on moving. At this point, the shock factor had turned ICP into nationally known figures, and subsequently many more copies of "The Great Milenko" were sold. It seems a bit odd that their mix of metal and gangsta rap satire would have a cult following at the time, but here I am, writing a review about it almost 10 years later. There are some pretty solid tracks here. The highlights include the title track, "Hokus Pokus", "How Many Times?", "What Is a Juggalo?", "The Neden Game", and "Hellalujah".

I won't lie. There are some duds in the mix. Not all of this material will stand the test of time, but the strong cuts will. This is one of those albums that I consistently revisit, then I get sick of quickly. But I'd have to say, that there's got to be a reason that I keep revisiting the album. And the reason for that, is because it's simply fun to listen to.

Yes, it's the "Great Milenko". The big hit with all that fuss...yeah, so what! It was also a sign of the times. Teens were sick of ultra brooding, damaged singers from the post Seattle fallout and crass trash like "Antichrist Super Star", "Life is Peachy" and the "Great Milenko" were exactly what they wanted. (Eminem was yet to come.) Although this disc would represent the height of ICP's popularity, for die hard Juggalos it represents a painful period were they had to share the pit with frat boys. Plus the disc isn't as perfect as "Riddle Box" but ICP's infectious beats and rhymes are still here making the "Great Milenko" pretty great. With the finance of a major label behind them inn the studio, a more polished texture flows through out but, despite the more serious equipment, credit is overdue for Mike Clark. Milenko's subject manner treads in the same Dark Carnival territory but it's music, due to expensive production, is much more immediate. Like the Ramones and Rocket from the Crypt the philosophy of, `the same old thing is just right', works for ICP as well. The Great Milenko creates the most immediacy ICP ever had. Striking the most visual appeal that your mind can easily envision videos for every song as they play. Singles like "Piggy Pie", "Hall of Illusions", and "Hokus Pokus" give the basic ICP horror movie/slapstick sound for the newbies but also tantalize Juggalos of old. Milenko also has some unheralded classic gems like "Southwest Voodoo", "Boogie Woogie Woo" and "House of Horrors". Songs that despite being on the platinum platter are among ICO's very best. The "Neden Game" and an assortment of between track skits provide some better humor than previous joker cards as well. The intro with Alice Cooper is the most perfect yet. Milenko wraps you up in ICP's world long enough so you keep the CD on repeat. Reason enough why the disc kept selling and selling.

Since the Insane Clown Posse's earliest days in Detroit, it's been obvious that this rapping duo (Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope) are not to be taken seriously. With tracks such as "Southwest Voodoo" and "Hellalujah" the wicked clowns from Detroit come back with yet another hilarious album. Be warned, though: you'll probably have to hide this album from your parents.

1. Intro
2. Great Milenko 7/10 - Nice song, freaky beats...

3. Hokus Pokus 9/10 - Carnival beat, typical icp lyrics, one of the best on this cd

4. Piggy Pie 7/10 - Censored version of a brilliant song

5. How Many Times? 6/10 - Repetitive , nice lyrics

6. Southwest Voodoo 8/10 - Cool old-school beat, freaky lyrics

7. Halls of Illusions 9/10 - Guitar riff's (slash) , catchy

8. Under the Moon 8/10 - Horror style lyrics, cool sound effects

9. What Is a Juggalo? 7/10 - Beat is very cool , lyrics too (...)

10. House of Horrors 9/10 - GREAT GREAT

11. Boogie Woogie Wu 8/10 - bit childish but very funny nonetheless

12. Neden Game 7/10 - very funny lyrics , but gets old really quick

13. Hellalujah 7/10 - Solid serious lyrics , bit boring , nice skits

14. Down With the Clown 8/10 - Typical ICP joker song

15. Just Like That 9/10 - Very short , but briliant beat , mike e clark at his best!

16. Pass Me By 8/10 - Nice quasi serious song. good ending song.

So buy this cd , even if you didn't like older icp's. You won't be dissapointed.

I was pretty impressed with Insane Clown Posses first jokers card.This is one of the Insane Clown Posses best cds.

1.Intro - A good intro that sort of sets the mood for this album.

2.Great Milenko - A really good song.Nice beats in the chorus.

3.Hokus Pokus - Not my favorite song on this cd.Its not brilliant.I don't hate it though.Nice carnival beats though.

4.Piggy Pie - Quite good.

5.How Many Times - Not the greatest beats but some pretty good lyrics.The skit at the end of the song is funny.Hahahahha!

6.Southwest Voodoo - A great song about voodoo and how ICP uses it.

7.Halls of Illusions - This cd only gets better from here.I dig this song.Great beats,great guitar riffs and great lyrics,this is one of the best songs on the Great Milenko.This was the single from the Great Milenko yet it didn't get really any air play from the radio or MTV.

8.Under the Moon - Interesting lyrics.The lyrics are sad and moody.Another one of the best songs on this cd in my opinion because its real deep and not just one of ICP's joke songs.

9.What is a Juggalo - A funny song!Its really great.I like the funny lrics and cool beat.You will know what a juggalo is after hearing this song.

10.House of Horrors - Yet another really great song with a cool beat and good lyrics.Welcome to the house of horrors...

11.Boogi Woogie Wu - No one can stop the boogie man!!!Hahaha!This has the best beats of any song on this cd and it includes very creative lyrics.Of course,its also funny .

12.The Neden Game - What can I say?Its funny.

13.Hellalujah - Not one of the best songs on this album.Its ok.Its not really anything special though.I must admit that the beat is good.

14.Down with the Clown - "This one goes out to the ninjas,this been down since Carnival of Carnage!".I'm getting bored with all the good songs on this cd...Well not literally.I just felt like saying that.

15.Just Like That - A cool intro for the next track, "Pass me By".

16.Pass me By - Awesome!A brilliant way to end this album.I think this is a truely great song.

So there you have it.The Great Milenko is a excellent cd.Its so good I gave it a grand total of five stars!

This is Insane Clown Posses best effort. I love ICP,I have 7 of thier albums (THE GREAT MILENKO,RIDDLE BOX,RINGMASTER,FORGOTTEN FRESHNESS VOL.1,AND 2(2 cds),THE AMAZING JEKEL BROTHERS,and BIZZAR.Ive heard the others too. If your not fimiliar with ICP,than you wont know,but other than the 2 cds called (BIZZAR,and BIZAAR), the 3 FORGOTTEN FRESHNESS albums and all the EPs and the cd singles,they were doing six faces and here are the order from BEST TO WORST.
1.THE GREAT MILENKO
2.THE AMAZING JEKEL BROTHERS (TIED WITH MILENKO)
3.THE RIDDLE BOX
4.THE WRAITH
5.THE CARNIVAL OF CARNAGE
6.THE RINGMASTER
ps But dont get me wrong they are all 5 star cds!

In my opinion this is the last ICP album with their classic wicked clowns sound. From AJB and onward their sound and style changed. It's one of my favorite albums by them although i don't think it's as solid as The Riddlebox. The production, beats and vocals are more polished since they recorded this with a major record label. Mike E. Clark does wonders with the beats as always. Besides Slash The big name guest appearances don't do much for me but still give them props for it. My review of the tracks-

Intro- Alice Cooper does a mediocre intro although ICP does better and i prefer them doing the intros. Cooper later lied and said he didn't know what ICP was all about and regretted doing a track with them, what a putz! 5/10

Great Milenko- ICP always did a self titled album song for all the jokers cards. This one as the others is pretty fresh. 7/10

Hokus Pokus- A funny song introducing ICP to the mainstream world and what they're all about. 8/10

Piggy Pie- Awesome remake wicked clown style of the three little pigs. Details killing evil rednecks and selfish richies. Nice beat here, Shaggy also does a good job on his part. 8/10.

How Many Times?- A more serious song and one of my favorites on this record. Violent J puts his heart into the lyrics and explains everyday occurences in life that shouldn't happen the way they do. 10/10

Southwest Voodoo- A funny song about ICP's voodoo practices on people they hate. It samples a old rap song from "Guerilla's in the Mist". 8/10

Halls of Illusions- A great song basically about how a bad childhood can mess up a persons life. ICP takes revenge on a domestic and child abusers. Slash does some great riffs here for the wicked clowns. 9/10.

Under the Moon- One of ICP's most serious sad songs. It details J taking revenge on a rapist and then the girl eventually forgetting him while he serves his prison sentence. Classic ICP song right here. 10/10

What is a Juggalo- A funny track explaining what a juggalo is or isn't? Basically explains that theres no rule of being a juggalo and juggalos come from all walks of life and it doesn't matter whether you've been down for 2 months or 15 years. 8/10

House of Horrors- A great song its kind of like a sequel to "House of Mirrors". ICP explains graphically what they're gonna do to a richie caught in their world. 8/10

Boogie Woogie Wu- ICPs version of the infamous boogie monster, a scary horrorcore track. Good production on this song. 7/10

The Neden Game- One of ICP's most popular songs and why a lot of people bought this album. ICP's rapping is probably the strongest on this track. A hilarious ICP version of the Dating Game show. 9/10

Hellalujah- Great song that details about how at the time corrupt televangelists were scamming people out of money by claiming miracles. ICP explains the issue in their style. 8/10

Down with the Clown- Awesome juggalo anthem about how juggalos will never die and always be a hatchet family no matter what ICP does. 7/10

Just like That- Awesome track i just wish it was longer. Mike E. Clark did a fresh beat right here. Details how life can end when you least expect it. Sets the listener up for the final track. 9/10

Pass me by- Serious ICP track about the afterlife and how all our troubles will end once we go to shangri la. 10/10

just because people call them rock doesent mean they suck and new found glory isnt even punk rock! this is a good cd and it does have rock on it. buy it. it made me a juggalo.

This is by far THE BEST Jokers Card. If you get this CD don't just hear it, listen to the message hidden inside of it. Take a look around. Are you going to become what is around you, or can you see past the lies and bullsh*t that make up this hellish world of ours? Will you perish in the firey flames of Hell's Pit, or will you rise into the glory that is Shangri-La? The choice is yours.

this album is truely icp's best. every song has its own character, and every one is very good,there still are a couple of slow spots, but the picked up momentum of songs like "halls of illusions" cleary make up for it. "Pass me by" is an excellent song and has prolly the best chorus on great milenko. the one song that is prolly the least enjoyed is "boogie wu", which is simply OK. "Neden game" is a fun song to listen to with funny lyrics. "hokus pokus" is a great clown music song. anything else about the album is basically that the songs rock and Great milenko is definetely worth buying.