Clipse

Had Clipse made a concerted attempt to outstrip Hell Hath No Fury, Til the Casket Drops would have likely come out sounding like self-parody. The Thorntons’ previous set was so cold, lean, and efficient, the product of the circumstances under which it was made, that it is impossible to imagine an album of identical makeup trumping it. So, for the most part, Pusha T and Malice approached their third album -- their first for Columbia -- as a reflection of where they were at when they recorded it. And while nine of its 13 tracks were produced by the Neptunes, who were operating at the top of their game throughout Hell Hath No Fury, the beats here are busier, fuller-sounding, and they mingle well with the productions that come from DJ Khalil and Sean C & LV.