Notofu.com: Clipse
Published by: Notofu.com
Date: January 13, 2010
Format: Web (www.notofu.com)
Type: Music Review
Clipse – Til the Casket Drops
Til the Casket Drops has a lot to live up to since Clipse’s 2006’s Hell Hath No Fury may arguably be one of the best hip-hop records to date. Three years gave the Virginia brothers the opportunity to come back with something as good or better as Hell Hath No Fury. But, instead of producing an entire record strong enough to stand up to what they have already done, the duo has released a record that seems scatter-brained in its production, boasting notes of a solid past while also hinting at a confused future.
The standout track, “Kinda Like a Big Deal,” from Til the Casket Drops was released more than seven months ago. It picks up where “Wamp Wamp (What It Do)” left off. The song, produced by DJ Khalil & Chin Injeti, features a guest, vintage appearance from Kanye West. There’s no auto-tune here, but instead, it’s a College Dropout caliber verse delivered from West, short lived as it may be. The live drums are lively and tough and perfect for the track, as they were in 2006’s previously mentioned sister track.
Another single, “I’m Good,” was released in June and was produced by The Neptunes and features Pharell Williams on vocals. The song is a complete 180-degree shift from “Kinda Like A Big Deal” – it is synthesizer heavy and much smoother than the abrasive percussion based aforementioned single.
The rest of Til the Casket Drops is a little bit all over the place. It’s mostly a result of multiple producers, including Sean C and LV as well as DJ Khalil & Chin Injeti and The Neptunes, working on individual songs. The end product is a full-length record that has the feeling of a mix tape. If they had worked with one producer the record would probably have been more focused and cohesive and less of a mash up of different styles.
It also has to be noted that if nothing else from Til the Casket Drops is remembered, Clipse has at least given us what could quite possibly the most overused phrase of the year in “Kinda like a big deal.” Thanks to that song and that line, most everything that is “cool” or noteworthy or just not terrible, seems to bear the tag of “Kind of like a big deal.” It will fade away in time, but for now, use it while it’s relevant, because, let’s face it, even the phrase itself has become “Kinda like a big deal.”
2.5/5