No summer is complete without an update on Detroit's Insane Clown Posse. Following the success of the 2012 Gathering of the Juggalos festival, the Posse unleashed their latest album The Mighty Death Pop on August 14th. Available in three special editions, each with their own bonus disc, the “Red Pop” release boasts Smothered, Covered & Chunked, an entire album of unreleased cover songs performed by the Posse themselves. While guest appearances from Fred Durst and Lil Wyte are surprising enough, we at the Weekly were shocked at some of the song choices. Here's our picks for the group's five most unexpected cover songs.
“Shout f/ Blaze Ya Dead Homie” (originally performed by Tears For Fears)
Joined by longtime labelmate Blaze Ya Dead Homie, the group offer their take on Tears For Fears' 1985 #1 hit “Shout.” Slightly less subtle than the original (this one contains a few more “fuck offs”), it does work as a reminder of Posse member Violent J's strong vocal presence. Thought Juggalos didn't listen to new wave? Guess again, homie.
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“State of Shock” (originally performed by The Jacksons and Mick Jagger)
Violent J's always been an outspoken Michael Jackson fan. Along with growing up idolizing the man (who also had a strong affinity for clowns and the circus), the group's felt a certain kinship with how both have been blacklisted and bashed by the media, including being the subjects of TV news reports from shock-journalist Martin Bashir. Here, the duo attempt to re-create the magic of Michael's Mick Jagger-assisted reunion single with the Jacksons, “State of Shock.”
“Hold Still” (originally performed by “Yo! Gabba Gabba”)
With more and more children in a post-It world having a fear of clowns, it's important to remember how much those face-painted merry-makers meant to childhoods. If you've been meaning to introduce the Insane Clown Posse to your kids, perhaps the best way would be through their cover of Nick Jr.'s “Yo! Gabba Gabba's” song “Hold Still.”
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“Beautiful” (originally performed by Christina Aguilera)
Potentially the best argument to date as to why the Insane Clown Posse should appear on NBC's “The Voice,” Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope offer up their reinterpretation of Christina Aguilera's “Beautiful.” Rechristened “Indestructible,” the duo tap into the same empathy of the original to present their own ballad of empowerment. And hey, if you think about it, who need these words of encouragement more than a Juggalo?
“Freaky Tales” (originally performed by Too $hort)
Not included on Smothered, Covered & Chunked, but rather on the “Black Pop” edition of The Mighty Death Pop is the Posse's cover of Too $hort's “Freaky Tales.” While $hort's original album version was nine minutes long, and the single's extended edition clocked in at 13 minutes, the Posse up the ante considerably with an entire hour's-worth of the tales that they tell so well. Absolutely filthy, it's a worthy tribute and one of the most fun endurance tests you'll hear this year. C'mon, listen to the whole thing; you got nowhere to go.
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