The companion piece to the simultaneously released Bizaar, Bizzar contains some of the best backing tracks of the ICP's career, courtesy of producer Mike Clark, as well as some of their most ambitious attempts at lyrical profundity. The ICP's reach still exceeds their grasp, but on the likes of the bluesy, almost ambient "Crystal Ball," they actually have lyrics that don't wallow in macho teenage rebellion. Their flow has improved greatly (though they are still miles away from master rappers such as Chuck D) and they have lessened their need to yell constantly. In fact, the band members truly live up to the clown part of their personas in such moments as their hilarious, dead-on DMX and Lit parodies in "Radio Star." The album's weakest track, however, is their most blatant attempt at radio play: a cover of the 1986 Slyfox hit "Let's Go All the Way" with slightly rewritten lyrics. It's even more irritating than such standard fare as "Let a Killa," which, for all its tired sexual hostility, seems less contrived. Bizzar is the stronger of the two albums the band released together, but fans may feel they are missing part of the story by not getting both. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide
Mike E. Clark (Producer), Alex Abbiss (Vocals), Blaze Ya Dead Homie (Vocals), Dan Christie (Design), Johnny Buzzerio (Photography), Mike E. Clark (Multi Instruments), Insane Clown Posse (Vocal Harmony), Rude Boy (Vocals), Mike E. Clark (Programming), Gary Arnett (Graphic Design), W. Chiles (Design), Joseph Utsler (Vocals), Rick Murrell (Guitar), Insane Clown Posse (Chant), Jamie Lowry (Vocals), Esham (Vocals), Deb Agnolli (Vocals), Lo Dogg (Vocals), Insane Clown Posse (Mixing), Mike E. Clark (Engineer), Violent J (Vocals), Insane Clown Posse (Rap), Jennifer McDonald (Vocals), Florida Joe (Vocals), Rick Murrell (Vocals), Fuck Face (Vocals), Mike E. Clark (Mixing), Eric "EWolf" Wheeler (Photography), Insane Clown Posse (Vocals), Insane Clown Posse (Producer), Bob Alford (Photography), Jamie Madrox (Vocals)
Bizzar is the sixth album by Insane Clown Posse. Released on October 31, 2000, it is the first half of the Bizzar Bizaardouble album, released the same day as its companion album, Bizaar.
On the August 20, 1999, episode of The Howard Stern Show, Insane Clown Posse had clashed with fellow guest Sharon Osbourne, and she had bet Violent J $50,000 that the group's next album would not sell more than 200,000 copies, and that they would be subsequently dropped from their distributor. Violent J predicted that the group's next album would sell at least 500,000 units.[1]
Bizaar and Bizzar combined to sell 400,000 units, which fell short of Violent J's prediction, but exceeded Osbourne's expectations. Following the release of the albums, Insane Clown Posse left Island Records after its contract expired because the group did not want to release their sixth Joker's Card through Island Records.[2]
Both Bizaar and Bizzar received three out of five star ratings in The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, the highest rating that the magazine has ever given to any Insane Clown Posse album.[3]
"Bizzar" features 3D effects and glasses, as well as a hidden picture behind the disc tray. "Bizaar" features foldable dice and a board game in the booklet, and another hidden picture behind the disc tray.
The booklets are quite intricate, containing games, pictures, puzzles, riddles, and advertisements for the debut Dark Lotus album, "Tales From The Lotus Pod" and Twiztid's "Freek Show", among others.
^Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin. "Hatchet Rising". in Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 470–496. ISBN09741846083.
