Twiztid: Jaime Madrox, Monoxide Child.

The most successful Insane Clown Posse offshoot in the ever-expanding Juggalo universe, Twiztid generally traffics in the same brand of high-concept/lowbrow rap-rock as its Psychopathic Records brethren. Despite being attired in their usual KISS-like greasepaint and colorful outfits, on CRYPTIC COLLECTION 3, Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child deliver an unusually straight-ahead hip-hop record. The raging metal guitars that characterize many related releases are virtually nowhere to be found, replaced instead by spare, old-school beats and squiggly synths that wouldn't sound out of place on a Snoop Dogg album. In addition, there is a surprising amount of introspection here, particularly on "Keep It Movin," which amounts to something approximating a gangsta-rap version of a self-help affirmation session. Perhaps the most intriguing moment, however, is the shocking anti-climax of Twiztid's totally straightforward take on Steve Miller's chestnut "The Joker." While not quite a serious bid for mainstream hip-hop credibility, CC3 reveals that Twiztid has more than enough skills to transcend the often one-dimensional Psychopathic aesthetic.