I can see it both ways. The first 5 cards was just them being ICP. Not there to teach shit except don't be an evil person if anything. Just to make dope funny clown music. With that said, the intrigue wouldn't have been there without the countdown to the 6th. So that was a blessing for ICP. On the other hand, it was also a curse. They couldn't live up to the expectations they set for themselves with the countdown. And on top of that, it forced them to be more serious. The juvenile days were over which sucked for most juggalos who grew up with them. It's like, why do I need dudes in clown paint getting preachy who were just rapping about shoving Faygo up nedens? So it got kinda stupid when they became too self righteous. Anybody who becomes self righteous becomes annoying though.

Personally though I just consider BPB and MDP the 7th and 8th cards. Why not? It's just music at the end of the day with a face to go with it. As long as they keep putting their all into it, it's still fun. And that's what a joker's card is to me.

It would have been 1000x better if MEC had done shangri la. Mike P is a more rock oriented producer, he didn't fit well at all with ICP imo. Hells Pit however I liked the simple ass beats they used, low gritty production value helped set the tone for that album. Classic acid rap style right there!