As track number nine says, anything can happen. Your first listen to this album is simply a bass bumpin' rapper's delight; you have to hear it all a few times before you can really appreciate its depth. Using street smarts ("Year of the Dragon") and a myriad of samples (from the Bee Gees on "We Trying to Stay Alive" to Earth, Wind, and Fire on "To All the Girls") Wyclef proves he has the brains and the backbone to express himself.
The disc is also full of hilarious interlude antics like "Wyclef's Words of Wisdom" and "Closing Arguments." The soulful ballad "Mona Lisa" features the Neville Brothers on vocals and Wyclef confessing "I never wrote a love song before, this is my first one!" Other guest appearances include turntable scratches by DJ Skribble, background harmonies by the I Threes, and efforts by fellow Fugees Lauryn Hill and "Pras". The best song award will have to go to the video hit "Gone Till November." Full of cry worthy verses and symphonic accompaniment, the song is too honest to be catchy.
All throughout the 24-track release, Wyclef continues to capture my admiration with his wit and knowledge. He produced this album, played guitar on this album, and wrote most of the lyrics on this album. He is a wide-open musician combining hip-hop, reggae, soul, and rock Ôn roll into one insane album. Wyclef can flow, play guitar, and compose an accompanying symphony! The Carnival will take anyone who loves music on a ride that takes all your tickets, but refunds them at the end with a smile.