The Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury: Album Review

The Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury (Jive, 2006)
What can I say, it's been a hell of a week for album leaks. First the new Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg albums, and now this - the highly anticipated new album from the Clipse. It's their first since their 2002 debut Lord Willin', which is fairly widely regarded as a new classic. Word to the Superstation.

WE GOT IT FOR CHEAP

The Clipse spit some of their hardest shit evar over a so-so Neptunes beat. Rather than a proper chorus, there's some ethnic fellow right out of central casting rambling about something or other. Think Pain in da Ass from those first few Jay albums.

MOMMA I'M SORRY

More along the lines of something off of Lord Willin'. Truth be told, I'm not that crazy about this track either, but it still works. And there's a chorus.

MR. ME TOO

The marginally popular lead single from earlier this summer. It's got a sort of futuristic vibe a la "Drop It Like It's Hot," but it doesn't really pop like that record.

WAMP WAMP

And the non-event of a second single, in which they "borrow" that what it dew bullshit from Paul Wall. Really it's not that bad, but it sounds more like a Slim Thug record than a Clipse one.

RIDE AROUND SHINING

Great song + weird, overly minimalist beat + weed carrier guest rappin' = kind of a waste.

DIRTY MONEY

Again more along the lines of what one might to hear on a Clipse album. I could without as much bling bling talk, but what are you gonna do.

HELLO NEW WORLD

Pharrell's chorus here is so retarded it's actually kinda brilliant not unlike his goofy mouth noises on "Grindin'." Otherwise though this is kinda drab and joyless.

KEYS OPEN DOORS

Did you know the Clipse sell cocaine? Pusha T, in fact, hasn't spent a rap dollar in three years, though I'm sure he would. Hell I would too.

AIN'T CHA

Overly poppy Neptunes + afterthought of a chorus + weed carrier verses = approximately 3.14159.

TRILL

Oh great, a song after the last Bun B album. The chorus just goes, "Bitch I'm trill. Nigga I'm so trill." Peep Pusha's first verse on this. Yikes!

CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Chinese set off fireworks on New Years? I thought they just made fireworks.

NIGHTMARES

Way too much Bilal on this one, especially since his part kinda sucks. The Neptunes should never try to make neo soul music. That's just not what they do.

COMMENTS: The Neptunes, who did all the beats here, just aren't as good as they were in 2002. I give Pitchfork a lot of shit for fawning over We Got It for Cheap 2 as if it was the next Source Tags and Codes or some such, but it really is a much more enjoyable listen than this. The rappin' here is generally excellent, but I'm really not that crazy about any of these beats.

BEST TRACKS: "We Got It for Cheap" "Mr. Me Too" "Wamp Wamp"

BONUS VIDEO: Peep this clip for "Mr. Me Too."

Comments

[e aka the real noreiaga]

The Clipse are dope Lord Willin was a classic.

I thought this cd wasn't as good as their first one but its still really good.

Clipse do sophisticated cocaine rap not just trap hop.

[TheNicker]

After all the hype . . . it was really this mediocre?

[ev]

Blah, the Neptunes have always sucked.

[Bol]

>After all the hype . . . it was really this mediocre?

I think so. The first two singles are arguably the best tracks on there, and you know what they're like.

[DNA]

clipse is crack music (no overused hip hop term)

[Sun Tzu]

you don't like the best song on there (RIDE AROUND SHINING) what the fuck man even tho this is a positive review of the album (sort of) lately your taste in Hip Hop has been taking a turn for the worst...you on some ol bullshit

Especially since u thought that AZ album was wack, you've definently lost ur mind

[Bangbangida]

It's not Bol's taste; Hip Hop has taken a turn for the worst. It's just so fucking tired now. Crack, Murder, Money, and Hoes; That's it? And the guys that try to be different are too few and sometimes underwhelming(see Lupe). And don't get me started on live rap. I'm digging into soul records now, and a lot of Island and African music. Hip Hop is Fucking Dead.

[dameSTUNTED]

B dot, please review the Jigga dis to Jimmy tight pants Jones.

[Were Read 2 Def]

dameSTUNTED,

What diss record? It can't be Dig A Hole cause that was at Cam.

[Were Read 2 Def]

Clipse would sound so good if Havoc or Alchemist produced their albums.

[e aka the real noreiaga]

Co-Sign Were Read 2 Def

Except Alchemist would sell the same beats to a more famous rapper. It would be better if DJ MUGGS produced them

[young ether]

so i am in the record store the other day and there was a young gentleman with about a dozen porno mags spread out on the floor and he was waching his shit. (no whatever) he was retarded and had a trap or die shirt and some gunit apparel. this leads me to my question... why do the mentally challanged so often adopt the "thug" costuime?

[young ether]

waching = wacking

[thatwhitedude]

don't hate on the clipse for the beats, yeah neptunes suck now but that aint clipse's fault and they prob are obligated to get mostly neptunes beats cuz they are supposed to be down and would stop getting free BBC/Ice Cream/BAPE hookups if they didnt support skateboard P, who sucks now. even with shitty beats the verses are straight heat, some of the best verses this yr spit. they should just take the acapellas and put them over hot beats and then it would be one of the best albums from the past 5 yrs, yeah i said it.

[Clipse Street Team]

This is the best album of 2006. Make no mistake.

[NoMamesBuey]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200611150004

Every time I thing I've seen the douchiest right wingnut talking head, then BLAUW! another douchebag comes up with something more douchier

check this massengelian ask the new MN House of Rep & muslim guy Ellison "I thinking you should prove that you're not working with our enemies". smh in disgust

[iLL Change]

damn, good looks Bol. at least i'm not the only one who thinks this shit is a waste of a disc. Neptunes are wack, there's maybe 3 decent beats on the whole album and i haven't really heard a more boring pair of rappers in a while. they had like 9 years off to come back wit 12 tracks? 3 of which maybe deserved the hype this whole album got. i cant believe this got a XXL. if this is a classic, meaning other rappers shoould make cd's like this one, i quit hip hop.

[40versions]

Bol, you ignorant slut. How could u?

[nova representative]

Hmmm...I thought this album had some of the best Neptunes production in recent years. The beats on Ride Around Shining, Keys Open Doors and Mr. Me Too are especially unique and dope. They have an eerie, futuristic vibe that complements The Clipse's lyrics. All of the tracks are solid, and tend to grow on you. Down the road this album will be considered one of the best hip hop albums of recent years. Hopefully the trend of having a different producer on every track will subside and we get more consistent efforts like this.

[Corinne]

I was actually disappointed in this album, I didn't buy it but I was browsing his "album samples", I guess I thought he would come better. he does have potential though.

[Skateboard P]

If you don't like this album theres a pretty good chance you're gay. Best album probably in the last 4 years.

[Skateboard P]

..Also, Corinne, don't mean to be rude but you arent very attractive. You look like something my dog hurled after eating raw fish. I'd remove that as my URL quickly (now!). Again, not to be mean or anything, just this assholes opinion. My apologies to your mother.

[Corinne]

^^^^^ hm I wonder who that is.....damn shame you follow me here under a different name.damn,damn stupid.

[Corinne]

If you don't like this album theres a pretty good chance you're gay. Best album probably in the last 4 years.

Posted by: Skateboard P | Nov 16, 2006 5:50:12 PM

^ oh wait, you just hatin cause I think the album ain't good, nevermind, you just a faggit who got mad at my opinion.

[Corinne]

^^ oh yeah and your a cracker, another point loss for you

[SkateboardP]

^^u-mad? Cam voice: "YOU UGGGGLLLLYYYYY!"

[Skateboard P]

Seriously though, you're ugly. Word to Craig Mack.

[Corinne]

^^^^cracker ass cracker talking, lol

[Skateboard P]

Shit lets turn this into a chatroom then bizniatch since you're so eager. You suck.

[Corinne]

craaaacker, you should be ashamed that your white, Mr.KKK

Ok enough,sorry Bol. Talk amongst yourself craaaaacker..

[Skateboard P]

^^I really love you tho. really.

[Corinne]

^^^^ I love you too, really, god bless you.

FWI. I like Clispe I was just kinna wanting more for him.

...and I'm not racist either.

[Skateboard P]

^^God did bless me. You.

[Corinne]

.....o...k...I'm going to go...now...but God bless you and keep supporting your artist, no opinions really matter, it's how well they sell. Ok peace!

[Skateboard P]

^^Im actually atheist. And I really don't care for you. But thanks for playing.

[Corinne]

^^^^^^^ atheist.....=^ , damn you a atheist. Clispse ain't a atheist...uh oh.....you got some differences between ya artist and you.

[Corinne]

( no religious talk)

[Corinne]

FWI to everybody: This is the dumbest convo ever, sorry Bol.

[DJ Nasty]

I just checked you out Corinne. Barf. My blind cousin thinks youre hideous.

[Corinne]

Bol how ,many gay people come on here. Guys on the internet are fo real the have to be the lamest males in the world. I'm glad I don't know any of you.

Guys who hate on girls+ intenet=guys who don't get none

I swear by that too!

You should be ashamed of yourself coming on here to diss on a female.What a waste of skin and opinion.

But to think about it, some of you are either white people, kids who try to do this kind of shit over the internet.

[Corinne]

And plus I know I ain't ugly, you fools are crazy gay for saying some shit like that. You will use anything against someones opinion on something just to make them look bad?, nah you just make yourself look ethered and down your IQ points, major.

FWI. If I was ugly I wouldn't be putting up my pic reppin for Game,which a lot of them haterz like to do to me, hate on me cause they don't like em'.Damn shame.I got enough real men in THE REAL WORLD seeing what's up with mami, so i even trippin over you internet geeks, I'm just saying....

[DJ Nasty]

Wait...So we are gay cause we think you ugly? Riiight...get over yourself pasty white girl.

[Corinne]

^^^^^^^Guys who hate on girls+ intenet=guys who don't get none

pasty white girl

^lolwtf? are you sure you not looking through you momma's photo book?

[DJ Nasty]

Suck my throbbing hard cock.

[Corinne]

^^^^ LMFAO, he don't even know what he's talkin about, that's shits duuuuuuuumb, you just got yourself caught in a damn lie, you a damn fool you little boy.I know you ain't a man over behind your little computer screen, you a little boy.If so, damn what kind of man kind are you?, one that hasn't evolved yet?Put your picture up pleeeeeease, no, why not? cause you a damn geek lookin fool, that's why.

[Corinne]

^^^ ok, that was uncalled for

[Corinne]

...wait, why am I arguing with you over the damn Internet.....god damn my shame needs to kick in quicker.

[Corinne]

smoke some weed and chill DJ....Nasty

[DJ Nasty]

You're right. Peace out.

[RedZepprin]

"AIN'T CHA

Overly poppy Neptunes + afterthought of a chorus + weed carrier verses = approximately 3.14159."

Hilarious.

[Were Read 2 Def]

If the album leaked, how come I can only find a few of the songs that are the shitty mixtape versions?

[LaDolceVita]

I've listened to it about 10 times since last night (it's really short) for once I have to say you're way off base on this. Lyrically, It's untouchable and the beats fit the mood of the album perfectly, bleak and angry as fuck.

[giant douche]

bol, keep this lp in your rotation for a while and ur gonna change ur mind

[ESOKC]

Yo this album is one of the best hip hop albums to come out this year. If you don't like this album something is really wrong

[K Fed]

Did these fags even sell coke..

I heard they lived in a nice area of VA..

Why is Gille da Kid from philly in the video

[Tray]

Some crazed woman/wannabe Clipse groupie from Pitchfork had this to say about the album:

1. CLIPSE: HELL HATH NO FURY
Buy the album on November 28 at a major, SoundScan-reporting entertainment outlet near you. I'm thinking about buying two or three copies-- you know, one for my cousin, another for my therapist, plus I'm dying to read the liner notes. I even vow to put aside my "do not give money to Pharrell" dictum in the interest of propping up Malice and Pusha. (Besides, his beats are fucking atomic. They are fucking white-diamond, full-spectrum-light, blowing-out-my-retinas-and-take-me-home-jesus HOT.) Should I make Clipse cupcakes? (Literally.) I could. I learned from my mom how to mail shit via USPS in Tupperware. (Literally.) Anyone who dismisses Hell Hath No Fury as simply "crack rap" is missing the point: The album is a full-spectrum view of an internal landscape metaphor-ized as a drug-dealer's epic tale. Pusha T calls himself "the Young Black Socrates." Socrates is attributed with the phrase "know thyself"-- and Pusha clearly knows himself better than anyone could possibly know him. He cunningly assesses the full spectrum of his existence-- "All I wanna do is ride around shining while I can afford it," the assertion of someone who once had nothing, and expects to be back in that place again. The consequence of living a life that is temporary, fleeting, and dangerous, is chaos: you stop expecting stability or continuity that is if you ever had it in the first place. He has a remarkably lucid idea of his own brain, yet he is aware of his surroundings, too-- 100% clarity for 360 degrees. From "We Got It For Cheap":

"Like tryna fly with a clip in your wings
And that's exactly why the caged bird sings
The shame rings true
Seems to me that reparations are overdue"

Word to Maya Angelou. Too smart to just Vice City on this shit-- to do the dirty deeds for sport-- there are reasons. Points. Truths. They're ways to escape, and ways to escape responsibility. In their world Pusha and Malice have every aspect of the game figured out. And they're mean:

"Street baller like the Rucker
Skip to my loo if you lookin’ for a couple
Roosters in the duffle
Keep the hood screamin 'cockadoodledoo,' fuckers"

But most tellingly:

"My only accomplice/ My conscience"

Good god. I'm gonna stop there and let my mans and dem work it out for you in his actual Pitchfork review, when the album drops officially. But I had to mention it because it is a fucking event, and it is all I can think about-- Clipse are the only rappers out right now as far as I'm concerned.

[jko2001]

i dont think the review was very accurate, but everyone has their own taste and appeal. however, i do agree with the overuse of neptunes on this one. i just hope that clipse mixes it up wit producers for their next album (in 2023 probably). bilal sucks.

[tseliot]

bol, i like you, and i respect you (though sometimes i don't know why):

but in terms of this review: go back to 2002 when you ignored lord willin and get yourself off to some gay ass "at your funeral" shit. yeah, i caught that link.

not sure how you can command respect on a rap review after admitting that. that's like saying you fucked some dude in high school but aren't gay anymore (no baby signing 12 year olds). seriously, man, LISTEN AGAIN.

[eauhellzgnaw]

The album is just like the first one: the highs are very high, but they aren't nearly enough of them. This album is not all that--you should know never to trust hipsters and XXL. The rappin and lyrics are nice for the most part (they're tryin hard to sound like Biggie). But the rhymes aren't transcendent, as the clueless Pitchfork retards would have you believe. It's also pretty hit more miss beat wise, but that's the Neptunes for you.

Wamp Wamp, Sorry Momma, Chinese New Year, Keys Open Doors, and Hello New World are on point. You can keep the rest of that shit.

[Excon]

This is the best album to come out this year. Been riding round with this shit bumping in the whip...GODDAMN you aint gotta even touch that skip button. Every track is pure fire.

[Stonyman]

The beats are ill. They cut everything down like the powder. Simple to highlight the lyrics and flow. WTF accordion nobody fuckin does that and they did BAM. The fuck you thinkin?!

[verbalizer]

i think the album is fire...the beats are simple and i like that. dont sound like nothing out there and good for the whip too, i love the clipse cuz everytime i listen too em i think about pumpin BASE!

[jihod]

This is a good album better then the gayme, which by the way sounds boring as hell. Skip number 10, 11 and 12. Everything else is either great or good. Man month of november:
1.the clispes-hell hath no fury
2.AZ- the format
3.Jay-z- Kingdom Come
4.Kids In The Hall- School is my hustle
5.Game- Doctor's Advocate
Note: none of these are really that bad and they are all worth copping

[dolla$]

the lyrics on this album r the best for any album this year... hands down. beatwise?? i dunno the beats DO set the mood but at the same time some of them could be spared like the beat for "dirty money" and "aint cha".. the last track "nightmares" wit bilal and pharrel is tight tho cause its reflective music it makes u jus listen.. my only thing is they shouldnt have done soo many TOO futuristic beats...they shoulda reached out to soundtrakk and the 1st and 15th gang for some of those type of futuristic european beats lupe had on food and liquor.

[heflys]

Nothing surprising hear. Another biased review on a good amblum. Hell, everywhere I look, this cd is receiving praise. Are you guys really surprised by this review?

[dear guy who writes these reviews]

byron crawford? i'm not sure. whoever writes this is ignorant and writes reviews upon their first impressions of albums. You have no idea what you are doing and each time i read your work i cringe, you try to hard to be a tough reviewer and just disrespect perfectly good albums. you are worthless. take a bath with your toaster.

[Neigh]

this cd is way better than lord willin.
but i guess you gotta love it, and i do

[Durrell]

Keys Open Doors might be the hardest song on the cd and probably the hardest song of 2006...The wait was worth it. Hell Hath No Fury will be a classic soon.

[Adyor*v7]

fucking Trill and Mr. Me Too!
these lyrics are classic, untouchable, hard, real, if you dont know shit about the dope game you'll be lost on certain parts of the albulm, they speak the "TRUTH". They have lived the real life and pushed a real hustle, I have so much respect and Invy for them.

[jihod]

2006 so far:
1.Ghostface-fishscale
2.Lupe fiasco-food & liquor
3.Jay-Z-kingdom come
4.The Roots-game theory
5.The Clispe-Hell Hath No Fury
6.Busta Rhymes-big bang
7.Median-The Path To Relief Revisited EP
8.Murs-Murry's Revenge
9.The Game-Doctor's Advocate
10.AZ-The Format
11.Rhymefest-Blue Collar
12.Kidz In The Hall- School Was My Hustle
13.Fat Joe-Me, Myself & I
14.Method Man- 4:21/ The Day After
15.Masta Killa-Made In Brooklyn
16.J.Dilla-The Shining
17.Hi-Tek-Hi-Teknology 2:The Chip
18.Remy Ma-There's Something About Remy
19.OutKast-Idlewild
20.Alchemist- Chemistry Files Vol. 1
21.Mobbe Deep- Blood Money
22.Lloyd Banks-Rotten Apple
23.Ludacris-Release Therapy
24.P.Diddy-Press Play
25.Jim Jome-Hustler's P.O.M.E
26.Camron-Killa Season
(This list is as off dec. 8, haven't heard Ghostface-More Fish, Nas-Hip-Hop is Dead, & Styles P- Time is Money yet)

[Laky]

Yo this review was wack! Everyone knows that the album didn't meet the sky high expectations but it was still really good. As well, the singles, were the worst tracks on the album, by far! I mean, were you actually listening to Wamp, Wamp? You were right about that, it is a Slim Thug song and was the worst on this album. Compare that to Ride Around Shining, which is sinister and Trill, which is one of the tracks of the year, and you have no clue what you're talking about. And Nightmares was actually a really good effort by the Neptunes, i liked it. Beats are strong, lyrics are strong, at the end of the day what more can you ask for?