Eminem

“His father left his family before he was old enough to remember him, and his mother did not or could not nurture him enough as a child. So, as an adult, he takes his revenge fantasies out on all women through his rhymes. I think you get back what you give out in this world, and Em craves stirring up a bunch of hatred in his direction.”

Relapse- as reviewed by the love-child of Dr. Freud and Andy Griffith

Comment by Brady — May 19, 2009 @ 12:50 am

There IS homophobia in this record, but some of the stuff you picked up on is being overly sensitive. I’m not sure how you can have a problem with the “gay stepfather” thing? The song is about incest between a stepfather and a young boy - why is it incorrect to call him a “gay stepfather”?

Comment by Steve — May 19, 2009 @ 5:06 am

Eminem’s music was and always will be lowest common denominator garbage. And I have never once thought the man can rap. He sounds like a typical lame white rapper trying desperately to sound black. He’s pathetic. Yet, critics all fell over themselves to praise him as a “genius.” We really have been so dumb-downed as a society to think this man’s music is of any social or musical significance whatsoever. It just perpetuates negative stereotypes and despicable views of women and homosexuals. And his new album is just more of the same contrived nonsense. It’s not even shocking or offensive. Just tired and boring. I’m sure it’ll sell a couple of million copies too. Guaranteed.

Comment by Jay from CT — May 19, 2009 @ 5:08 am

Jay I agree that there is nothing special or particularly impressive about this new release - it doesn’t even edge towards ‘genius’. However, if you brand his first two albums as “common denominator garbage”, well then you clearly don’t know anything about rap music and should keep those particular opinions to yourself.

Comment by Rik — May 19, 2009 @ 6:03 am

This article exposes more personal prejudices, and narrow vision than the subject of the article. It’s too bad…

Slim’s (real or not) hatred towards women is what turned me off his music. Back when many others including the author of this story, considered that his break-out work was cool. I was also very young back then but I guess not very impressionable. I did and still do recognize that he is talented and that like so many conflicted people he feeds his talent off his personal demons.

You seem to forget that rap music is full of violence, misogyny, female objectification, and lacking in real talent despite all the new and young blood. The entire genre is actually at the lowest point ever. This article seems to imply that Slim stands out as a hateful lyricist (or an EMC) in his field. Have you heard what passes as rap/hip hop lately?? He most certaintly is not the most hate filled, most unimaginative or the most immature grown man in his genre.

I also don’t understand why the author disturbingly and without irony falls for the same things that he seems to criticize about Eminem: common cliched stereotypes. So the author feels old at 28 (which is both weird and very revealing about the fears and fixations that the author has: clearly influenced by an obsessed society.) So Eminem should feel and act old in his mid thirties? Really? So an artist comes with an expiration date and should either burn out OR become ordinary when the expiration date is approaching? Wow.

Well I think you need to take your own advise grow up a little more, because displays such as shock/hate talk are not that different from subtle and ridiculous ageism, they are equally detrimental to an already failing society. In the end these are ironically immature and backward traits even if or precisely because a progessive, hip, youngish person utters them.

Personality inclinations, and immaturity these are abstract and individual factors that I think can not be measured nor should be used to dismiss someone. Much less of an artist that in reality is is still young and at a point in life that is still ripe and full of potential. We can hate the art, we can choose to ignore it, but we can’t tell the artist when and how to do his art based. Nor should we naively focus on one bad apple when an entire genre is nothing but a heap of foolery.

Comment by Dinky — May 19, 2009 @ 7:45 am

Although not particularly impressed by the album, it seems to have a motif to it.  The album is indeed called relaspe, which is why you should not expect anything new, but as the album progresses he starts changing his voice (from completely insane to more normal) til at the end he almost returns to his natural dominant flow he used in some of his best works. If you notice the last 3 to 4 tracks of the album are particularly strong… and the last one even hints that in the second release this year we may get to see something very powerful and new from him.  I at least hope so, maybe I’m just hoping for too much.

Comment by NDP — May 19, 2009 @ 8:33 am

i agree with all of you for the most part saying that this album is complete garbage. i was really excited when i heard it was coming out. after i heard the first few singles, i new it was going to be shit. we made you is a joke. i can’t stand 3AM,old times sake was alright, and i like beautiful a little bit.

Honestly though this is coming from a person who has heard pretty much every single eminem song ever put out underground or released, and i am a huge eminem fan,but i was soo disapointed when i heard these songs. there wasnt 1 song i really wanted to play over and over like his other CD’s nothing gave me that energy or adrenaline like that and whats even worse is that this was his BEST batch of songs. i never thought i would say this but he should have quit while he was ahead and maybe just do some singles with other people because he doesn’t have the ideas or creativity anymore. so yeah i hope he doesn’t lose all respect by putting out relapse 2

Comment by nick — May 19, 2009 @ 1:42 pm

A question for everybody, if you find ‘naughty’ words or homophobia offensive then why listen to Eminem? If i had a mother like that yeah i’d be quite bitter as well, also i try and write music in my spare time, it’s not as easy as criticising people who are making much more money then you.

I’m a 17 year old who doesn’t find many things offensive, unless he did something personal to me then why should i? He’s rapping for people like me who will go and buy the album and enjoy it and hopefully offend people like you.

I found the songs catchy and haven’t listened to anything else since buying the album, i heard somewhere that said ‘Complaining that Eminem is offensive is like complaining a horror film is scary.’

Comment by Alex Balcon from Leicester — May 19, 2009 @ 1:42 pm

Whoever wrote this review is completely lost in his own world. He says that Eminem needs to grow up, this is what Eminem has been doing for his whole life and Relapse is NOTHING like his old albums, it is an instant classic, he is able to string together so many characters and voices into one song while not losing flow and that is what people have always loved about him, its always shocking with eminem. Encore was a flop because he went iranian and only went for shocking goofy lyrics, they were still genious, just not entertaining. This album gives anyone who has been waiting for new eminem material a sigh of relief because not only does he manage to call out his own demons, but he is and forever will be “the bad guy who makes fun of people who die, as long as it aint happen to him” This IS eminem, i dont know what anyone would want more. do you expect him to make fukin remixes or soemthing, Hip Hop evolves and Eminem has reached the top of the food chain in that respect. Dont be mad becasue your girlfriend is offended, Appreciate true talent.

Comment by GreenChronik from B.C — May 19, 2009 @ 2:32 pm

“incompatible with the direction society is headed.”

I’m tired of this childish and simplistic speech about the mighty civilization and the mighty political correct society, what a stupid fairy tale… Are you 5 or something?!?!

“Some people grow up, and others just get older. For me, I feel like I have grown up, no longer the naive kid from Kamloops.”

You should write about church music, that would be the most responsible thing to do.
You sound too old and preachy for a rap album review.

P.S.: Eminem’s album-> misogynistic, homophobic, disgusting, offensive… Great. Call it a guilty pleasure.

Comment by Jordache C. from B. — May 19, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

I disagree you went to hard on him, while a lot of songs are mediocre, no songs are bad. And a few tracks like Beautiful and Deja Vu are some of his best works. Its definitely better than Encore, but Eminem Show was a little better.

Even with the mediocrity though, every song on this CD is better than any other song on the radio, hip hop is in a real shitty state

And maybe its not Eminem getting old, maybe its you. Old is a mindstate, and clearly Eminem is not old. If your not enjoying the raunchy lyrics on relapse, then its you growing old and losing your sense of fun.

Comment by DShaps — May 19, 2009 @ 4:28 pm

To each their own, though I will say this reviewer sounds pretty stupid. That’s fine if you don’t like the CD, I can see why. I love it, but I do see some points. And if his lyrics are that disgusting and immature to you, how are his older CDs any different? All of his works were filthy or hate filled in one way or another.

Comment by Jeff D. from TN — May 19, 2009 @ 4:56 pm

Listen to the bonus tracks. nothing more needs to be said. No matter what he is able to shoot down all opponents with lyrical skill. The brutal honesty is why we love to hate him.

Comment by GreenChronik from B.C — May 19, 2009 @ 5:10 pm

The reality here people is simple. Em’s second album was the greatest ever followed by 8mile which was an amazing follow-up. He has created such masterpieces and set the bar so high that right now he is having a hard time catching himself. Relapse is a little weak by Em’s standards, but as far as rap music in general, it smokes any other rapper handsdown. The funny thing is that he can spit garbage and it’s still better than all the crap that sells millions. Quit hatin..he is the best and always will be, white, black, brown, purple, pink. You’ll all eat your words in replaspe 2. deuce-

Comment by mark from cali 4n IA — May 19, 2009 @ 6:04 pm

everyone is entitled to their opinion but if you don’t like the type of music eminem does you should have had someone with a little less bias write this article

Comment by matt sturgeon — May 19, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

i posted something earlier, and i wanted to add that i also have no problems with the him being homophobic or insane or anything like that. and i also agree that whoever wrote this is obviously to old to be writing a review on this. but i really dont think this music is that good. and the reason i am coming down so hard on it is because eminem is the best rapper whoever lived and i am expecting so much more out of him than some bullshit stories about his drug addictions. there is only so much you can say about that.. its like every other song is about his fucking sleeping pillss and it gets old. another thing is that stupid accent he uses in another half of the songs which is ridiculous and takes away from the flow and lyrics

Comment by nick — May 19, 2009 @ 8:01 pm

I disagree with this review.  Eminem is the best and Relapse s a great album!!  I do believe he has made better overall cd’s but relapse is awesome, some of his best work is on there.  Looking forward to Relapse 2.  This just might be the start to real rap returning.

Comment by April from Wyalusing Pa — May 19, 2009 @ 8:10 pm

Jesus this review must’ve been writtin by someone who
a) has no personality or sense of humor
b) has no real background with rap/hip-hop, and therefore can’t appreciate good rhymes
c) a combination of both

Yes, this is a bit of the same old shit that em got famous for, but its the Em everyone likes.  He got criticized for Encore because ppl said it was too dumbed down and too much like ‘story time’.  So he brings back slim shady and goes fuckin crazy on the tracks, and now you’re all criticizin him 4 that too?? 

If you could get passed the re-used SUBJECTS and listen to the rhymes themselves, you’re an idiot if your not blown away by his rapping skills.  Absolutely NO ONE in the rap game today can spit a rhyme like him. 
“so prepare your vernacular
for Dracula acupuncture”

the way he manipulates words that don’t rhyme and makes them rhyme is GENIUS…but this guy apparently has no taste for good hip-hop and can’t appreciate it when its spit from someone as talented as Em.

Comment by Josh from Akron, Ohio — May 19, 2009 @ 9:20 pm

Its reviews like this that made him so rich in the first place,after reading this i cant wait to go out and get it. Good job Alan hahaha

Comment by sungod — May 19, 2009 @ 10:42 pm

this review is utter nonsense.  I’m a year younger than the reviewer and I still enjoy Eminem.  The difference between the reviewer and myself is I never took him seriously.  And he was in what his senior year of high school when the Slim Shady LP came out. That’s just pathetic.  And the PC bravado is completely gratuitous.  BTW, only emo nerds like the song stan.  I think it’s one of the worst songs he has ever done. 

The fact is if anyone else…say some virtually unknown rapper came out with an album that sounds like Relapse they would be hotter than a freshly fucked fox in a forest fire.  People would be raving about it.  But because it’s Eminem people hold him to some ridiculous standard that is completely unrealistic.  Yes there is some pandering on Relapse and it doesn’t top the Marshall Mather’s LP.  But it is better than his last two albums and it’s a hell of a lot better than what Soulja Boy, Mike Jones, Rick Ross, Kanye West, TI, Florida, etc are putting out…as in worlds apart.  That being said Hip Hop like it or not is in a state of decline…if it lasts another decade in it’s current form I’d be surprised.  you can only arrange/word the same three lines about money hoes and clothes so many ways…can you or do you even want to imagine what Biggie and Pac would be rapping about at this stage in their careers?  Personally I don’t want to.

Comment by JE — May 20, 2009 @ 2:49 am

Relapse begins with “Dr. West”. We’re dropped into Marshall Mathers checking out of Rehab for his abuse of alcohol and pills. Marshall is having a conversation with Dr.West concerning his concerns of relapsing into addiction post-rehab and controlling himself through the 12-step program. He is encouraged by Dr.West to give into drugs to get through his worries. As the pressure builds on Marshall Dr.West transforms into an alter ego. It is his devil that is unleashed. An alarm clock rings, and Marshall wakes up. It was only a nightmare.

He wakes up at 3 AM. The door is unlocked, Marshall has relapsed, and is now Slim Shady. The usual dosage of grotesque depictions of violence occurs as Shady describes his memory murder. A review of Marshall’s experiences with addictions are included prior to relapsing are included. He’s up late at night, can’t sleep, and wishes to sleep so he returns to his drugs. “3 AM” tracks the transformation from Marshall to Slim Shady; by the third verse Shady is in full mode.

He takes us back to the beginning, to the days of his youth, to the day when his addiction began. This act is part of the 12 steps. One must admit they’re addicted, that they’re powerless. He tells us that through his Mother actions that that he exists today but that despite the outside circumstances he is no different then his Mother. This is less of a critique as it is more of a review. There is no hatred for his mother, only the realization that this is how events in his life went down, this is how he became who he is today.

The story of his past continues as Shady tells us of the rape he received as a child from his step-father. Always aware of the gossip, on the chorus Shady addresses those who wonder about his mental state. He continues to face what has haunted him.

Shady then focuses the light on the thoughts that race through his head today: failed relationships, hatred and jealousy, and insecurities about acceptance. He demonstrates that he is Shady and he is insane. He gives in to the perceptions.

His continued desires to be accepted are expressed on “Hello”. Another source of why he turns to addictions are described - women. “Tonya” transitions the story of external problems from his past to his issues with females.
Shady’s past experiences with relationships are described on “Same Song & Dance”. “We Made You” continues as a lighter variation of “Same Song & Dance”, this time focusing on female celebrities.

“Medicine Ball” continues the tale of addiction and how Shady constantly attacks the world as if it were his play-toy. This all roots from the belief that people have got to hate him.

Paul comes in as a voice of reason, he comes in as the perception of us the audience. Shady responds to the critique by telling the world to accept it, this is who he is, it’s a part of Marshall, and dares the audience to delve into the sick thoughts within on “Stay Wide Awake”. He continues to appeal to this recommendation on the next track, “Old Time’s Sake”. The track also begins to address another addiction - Weed. “Must Be The Ganga” confirms the depth of his addiction.

“Mr. Mathers” continues to tell us that Marshall is gone on this CD, and only Shady exists. We know why, Marshall overdosed on medication that he used to try to fall asleep. “Deja Vu” is no longer Shady. Eminem is back and he tells the story of his recent struggle with addiction, leading up to the overdose. Shady is still there, in the background, but only as a whisper.

Marshall comes out and tells us his truth on “Beautiful”. He reviews his career, his position in life, his current actions, his thoughts, and his fears. It’s his truth without the devil, without Shady. He’s told us his story in the past 16 tracks - his you, his alter ego, his addictions. Marshall knows all this but it doesn’t matter, this is therapy. It doesn’t matter that he’s said this already, that he’s expressed his contempt for his mother, his hatred for the world, his desire to be accepted - none of this matters. This is Marshall Mathers. You are are you. This is what he wants to do. You do what you want to do. He’s being himself.

“Crack a Bottle” is the celebration of this realization, of being yourself, of his career and what he has done. His therapy is nearly done. He has made it through his post-rehab phase. Eminem is ready to come back so he visits Steve Berman. Berman is the audience who’s waited for Eminem, who’s tired of his antics - Berman represents the world outside of Marshall.

Underground concludes the album. Eminem is back to form. He resorts back into his battle flow, his crazy rhymes, his passion, and he’s ready to prove the world he’s back. He’s admitted to his story and he even makes fun of his own material via Ken Kaniff - We Made You’s corniness and poppiness is made fun of.
In conclusion of this lyrical analysis, honesty and self-expression is why I dig Relapse. It’s all deliberately planned out. It’s the story of Marshall Mather/Eminem/Slim Shady. A story is told of part of what he’s been up to the in the past 4 years. His accents are on purpose, his lack of emotion on tracks is on purpose. They all serve to be part of the collective whole. That’s why I dig this. It’s not just a collection of random tracks that sound hot like on most albums.

And do the beats match what’s being spit? I would say yeah they do. Even those more manufactured towards consumer appeal such as “We Made You” are picked at via Ken Kaniff.

True, other artists would have done something different but Eminem made it his own. He only presents what he knows and doesn’t tell us otherwise. He doesn’t rap as if he’s slinging weight or packing heat or as the hot headed Shady he used to be. He knows the material itself is somewhat contrived and tells us this but he doesn’t care because it’s something he has to go through, this is how he wants to be represented.

IN CONCLUSION… THIS REVIEWER IS AN IDIOT. PROBABLY A FEMINIST OR SOMETHING WHO DOESN’T LIKE FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR EXPRESSION AND THINKS THAT SONGS DEPICTING VIOLENCE AND RAP SHOULD BE CENSORED EVEN THOUGH THOSE THINGS EXIST ON THIS PLANET.

Comment by Andre — May 20, 2009 @ 5:25 am

Jesus! You can tell from this review that the person who wrote it has no idea what the eff hip-hop is.

“Em may have talent as an emcee, insofar as he can rhyme many words quickly”

NO, you idiot. That’s not why he has talent. He creates excellent imagery through his lyrics and uses triple-syllable soliloquies on every line to the point where it feels like every work is rhyming. I’m glad Eminem didn’t cater to someone like this reviewer and made an album like that Asher Roth CD (I like that CD, too though), but this CD is for the hip-hop heads.

The beats are simple yet effective. Some of the greatest lyrically great songs have been conducted on simple beats, so that the vocals can be accentuated.

You also knock the “hate speech.” Golly. it feels like 2001 again. I hope you protest when he is nominated for a grammy. Your position is that he is rehashing his old style. From a bird’s eye view, it might seem like that.

But, if you had any sense in you, you’d see that these songs are in fact much more chilling and horrific. With the first two, he said a lot of things, but it was still deeply rooted in humor and sarcasm.

This one is not. He’s not angry or intense with these verses. In “3 AM”, he is rapping about how before he drank his blood, he thought it would be fun to drink his bathwater. Notice the way he says it.

This is horror-core rap. Just like how you watch horror movies for the entertainment… all the lyrics are just that… entertainment.

That’s fine if you simply don’t like the music. But your review is complete BS with the whole “hate speech” garbage, because you clearly showed you intelligence with those two paragraphs.

You lack the basic concept of hiphop, and should probably jump out of a window for writing such a horrible review.

Comment by Tucker — May 20, 2009 @ 5:52 am

I love freedom of speech! its great we live in a country were we can hate anybody we want and tell them that we hate them in any way we want. If you don’t like freedom go back to China!

Comment by Chris Mohr from Iowa — May 20, 2009 @ 7:28 am

id like to see any of you haters on this album do what he did..the wordplay, the flow, the rhymes…its all on lock.

its insane. i think its new compared to the same bullshit we hear in rap now..“i got money, i got bitches, im a boss, i use auto tune cause my voice sucks”

its an insane album and the person who wrote this review doesnt have a clue

Comment by Jerome from Cali — May 20, 2009 @ 8:20 am

Seems like the reviewer is missing the point somewhat, and even the very definition of the word relapse.
After my first listen (on extra loud) I wasn’t that impressed. With each subsequent album play I picked out something different that wowed me.
Overall this is probably Em’s 3rd best album, and I eagerly await the follow up.

Comment by Kev Gillman from England — May 20, 2009 @ 9:22 am

I’m not too crazy about Slim Shady’s “Relapse” either:

http://www.buddyhead.com/eminem-relapse/

Comment by Chip — May 20, 2009 @ 11:58 am

The premise of the author’s argument seems to be: I’m 28, so a 36 year old should be more mature than me.  Maybe you’re just boring?

Some of the topics on Relapse are of course absurd and not meant to be taken seriously; it’s just stream of consciousness stuff that sounds funny if you’re not too uptight.  Maybe they don’t freestyle in Kamploops, but that’s pretty much all there is to it.

Is the material mean spirited?  Maybe, but that doesn’t stop many from falling on the floor laughing at shows like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ which actually debates whether handicap people should have special rights.  Taboo topics pushed to the limit can reveal a lot about not the artist, but the audience.

If you were waiting for Em to pull a Green Day and make a “meaningful” album or two, then yes, Relapse is a huge disappointment.  But tell me, what would be more contrived?  An album with Ken Kaniff, Paul Rosenberg, and Steve Berman, or a vanity project where he talks about the inflationary dangers of central bank quantitative easing and irresponsible mortgage lenders?

Critics, man.  A dime a dozen.

The author also seems to miss some of the more personal aspects of ‘Insane’ in favor of making a comment on homophobia.  Clearly, the personal agenda of the reviewer supercedes any constructive or objective thought.  But when you’re a very mature 28-year old, maybe you’ve got bigger things to worry about?  Like, say, watching Adam Sandler movies for more insightful quotes.

Comment by David from NYC — May 20, 2009 @ 12:38 pm

The comment by NDP is spot on, I definitely feel there’s a transition in the album from his most manic/crazy rapping to a more grounded real eminem at the end of the record.

Andre’s review of the album is much better than the one on this site, although a bit forced at times, i feel you capture the thematic progression perfectly. I could not have said it better myself. Can’t wait for relapse 2!

Comment by Leon — May 20, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

This review reveals a lot more about the author than the album. To be fair, you haven’t pointed out anything exceptionally new… this is typical Eminem antics.

So I say to you…

Congratulations, you’ve become the stiff guardian-type that you used to rebel against as a youth listening to Em’s freshman efforts. You’re now a stuffy old self-righteous prick that can’t appreciate music for an individual’s expression, and not a medium for societal conformity. Kudos to Eminem for sticking to his guns. I’d much rather him speak what he believes than pretend he agrees with “societies direction.”

Pro tip for your future review: learn to be objective; by objective I mean don’t inject your personal beliefs and morals into an evaluation of someone else’s work.

Comment by Carlos — May 20, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

Andre - SPOT ON.  I also noticed the stylistic transition from the beginning to the end of the album and wondered if it was just me.  Also, I completely agree with the thoughts that it’s a brilliantly executed concept album of therapy and, perhaps, release.  The songs are cringeworthy at many points because the subject matter(s) are hard to look at, but brilliantly composed.

How long has it been where we got such a stream of lyrics that flowed so artistically?  That didn’t just rhyme “love” with, *gasp*, “love”?  And a whirlwind of words.

I’m amazed/pleased that it seemed to call and to rhyme with the recent sadist bent in much of our current media; SAW (and sequels) and Dexter, among all the other recent horror offerings.  It feels markedly different than his previous songs of violence, more visceral, there is blood on his *hands* and not just on the floor.

Also an interesting realization I had, with Same Song and Dance, Stay Wide Awake, and Crack the Bottle among others, is that there is less of a general being pissed-off/violent towards women and more of a specific rage at those hapless starlets (Britney Spears, Hannah Montana) that become sex-objects.  It’s like he took all those stereotypes of the heavily-makeup’ed, overly-young starlets who wear skirts to clubs (“all the better to grope you with, my dear”, says the wolf) and said, “You look like Prey; let me explain how very very much you look like Prey.”

(In a way I almost sense him looking at Hallie and thinking of H.Montana and thinking HELLS NO)

In general though, the album was a breath of fresh air.  He makes being a victim look undesireable, instead of being Tragic and Exotic.  You are not Beautiful, being a victim, instead “God gave you them shoes, to fit you / So put them on and wear them”.  Don’t cringe away, be defiant (“They can all get fucked, just stay true to you”), heady and useful words.  He makes being a druggie look awful instead of cool, alcoholism as dirty/childish instead of being adult by downing 40’s, and pops the bubble of being a Celebrity over and over again.

Which, I don’t blame him, the majority of the population still doesn’t Get It.

Can’t wait to hear Relapse 2, Mr. Marshall, and thank you for still being around.

Comment by emily from LA — May 20, 2009 @ 7:38 pm

The reviewer is right in one regard - this clearly lacks the power of Eminem’s Slim Shady and Marshal Mathers LP. And even the Eminem Show, which I really thought was his best work.

However, as Slim Shady once said, he was born grown and grew down. He is The Way He Is. There’s a Slim Shady in all of us, a heart of darkness that is attracted to living it up, not giving a fuck, and sick murder fantasies. And whatever essence Eminem drew upon to produce the brilliant, twisted Slim Shady persona that rocked the world, is still alive. That’s the relapse, Eminem realize that the demons that both made his life living hell and made him a success beyond his wildest dreams cannot be escaped from.

And look, I really was disappointed with this album. I think Eminem is capable of so much more. But a lot of this album is really damn good. There’s something brilliant about the Slim Shady persona that does whatever the fuck it wants, says whatever he wants when he feels like it, not giving a fuck what anyone thinks or judges, and by being a complete dick, gets America’s love and hate. I’m glad Eminem has relapsed into that persona. He knows people will jump down his throat for saying faggot, for talking about things that we haven’t seen since American Psycho. But he doesn’t care, he says what is on his mind. If he hates gays, which I don’t think he does, he writes about that. He knows we hate his fucking accent - I really hate his accent - but he does it because he feels like it.

Comment by Stan — May 20, 2009 @ 10:18 pm

Reviews like this is what make this album great. You even criticized some excellent production value because you hate him so much. If his style bothers you so much than his “stale” flow is still better than anything out.

Comment by JR — May 20, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

I get the idea of not liking an album based on its content, but I’m SO tired of hearing the word “hate” bandied about as if it were the worst possible human emotion and should be banned from the feelings of human beings. It isn’t going to work. People are going to hate things and other people for time immortal. Personally, I like the album BECAUSE it is full of hate and animosity, not to mention insanity that seems to be somewhat sincere. I think he came back from the brink of some very personal tragedies in his life and made an album that reflects that time.

Hey, at least he isn’t a Juggalo. I’d love to see PopMatters review some Psychopathic Records music. It would just be a picture of bloody vomit on the internet.

Comment by Kris from Athens, GA — May 22, 2009 @ 2:43 pm

“incompatible with the direction society is headed.”

What kind of statement is that. I mean, not liking the album is one thing. That’s a matter personal taste. But for Alan Ranta to arbitrarily suggest that he’s speaking for society itself is just asinine.

Comment by Bill from florida — May 23, 2009 @ 8:00 am

dawggg… Considering today’s hip hop and rap scene, this is a great rap album. you’re being shallow and only comparing this to eminem’s other albums. i’ll admit this is mediocre by eminem standards, but compare it to soulja boy and lil wayne and them. this is 10 times better than them.

Comment by elijah from new hampshire — May 25, 2009 @ 11:48 am

A few years ago Kanye West did an MTV special and he showed a painting which depicted a beat.  He said that he ‘saw’ beats/music. If you could ‘see’ lyrics then you’d think that this is one of, if not the best Eminem album to date.  Sure, the majority of the content isn’t anything new, but then again, Eminem was never one to break new ground (“Stan” excepted).  The way he puts words together on this album is amazing.

But on another note, this review is entirely uninspired.  It’s textbook political correctness which is quite tired to be honest.  The reviewer doesn’t seem to have any original thoughts, and as much as he complains about Eminem repackaging the same ol’ same, he’s done nothing more.  This review reads like a GLAAD press conference circa 2000.

Comment by Nick from New Jersey — May 25, 2009 @ 10:48 pm

Have y’all truly listened attentive to This album?
if you know a thing or two about HIP-HOP Music, im pretty sure you will have to concur that, this (album) does not even deserve to be categorized as a “hip hop” album.
By Em’s standards , this album is the worst of the very worse—- sentiments apart!

I don’t think the author of this review is hating on eminem, Like i said, Em is capable of something far, far and very far better than what he is trying to sell to us. it’s mere crap!

there is only 1 word that can conclusively describe Em’s Relapse——“BULLSHIT!”

Comment by lilji25 from Cape Town — May 26, 2009 @ 5:01 am

This is the kind of disc that has to be listened to a couple times.  I’ve gotten to love the whole thing now (tho I could do without the skits but that’s a personal thing of mine) The music is a reflection of the artist. Eminem is many things and most of them are deeply flawed but let’s be really clear here…Relapse is a very good album. If his themes are a rehash of earlier things then so is every love song ever written in any genre. There isn’t a song I would skip on this disc and I couldn’t say that about his last couple albums. We have an artist back in form so let’s not complain too loudly about minor things. I think readers would do well to remember the axiom that goes “Those who can do, those who can’t teach…and those who are stupid and can’t review.” Loved the disc and looking forward to the next release too.

Comment by magickmitch — May 31, 2009 @ 10:04 pm

this album is trash… em’s subject matter is dated or unappealing and it seems hes more focused on staying with the melody of the track then actually providing some quaility lyrics.

this album is a 3/10… the only good tracks are underground and the paul skit… other than that it has some really nice beats

Comment by TRASH — June 2, 2009 @ 11:58 am

Man this album is great, Period.

Comment by Brian from Redlands — June 2, 2009 @ 8:42 pm

I honestly do not think it is hotter than The Marshall Mathers LP, very few albums are. Ok, fair enough he is still talking about his mom, drugs, celebs…thats him, Jay Z is 10 albums deep and he is always about hustling and he is considered the greatest ever…Eminem has 10 grammys, 75 mil sold and counting considering that he is atleast two albums from reaching 40, he developed another Hip Hop front man in 50 Cent…I honestly believe he deserves a litlle bit more credit than he is getting. Relapse is the best CD of 2009 so far, he kills a number of tracks eg Stay wide awake, De Javu,underground, and offcourse Hello and unlike most rappers he really got challenging beats so the flow got sicker AND ONE THING YOU CANNOT DENY IS THAT HIS WORDPLAY IS INCREDIBLE EVEN WITHOUT THE PUNCHLINES,

Comment by Remeny King from Jo'Burg — June 8, 2009 @ 6:59 am

Lyrically it has its great moments and retarded moments. I am fine with that though, Eminem will sacrifice content for flow. It often reads like a horror movie, so if you can’t handle that you will definitely not like this album.

His flow is better than ever, and the best out in mainstream (evidenced by the fact that it is copied left and right). He is also mixing up his accent like never before, some can’t handle the change, I say bring it on.

They music is as good as ever.

Why is this album better than previous albums? Fewer guest appearances! He skill is unmatched, and if thats what your into, there is plenty of him on this album

Comment by very solid album — June 8, 2009 @ 1:05 pm

A number of the other commenters have said it, but I feel obliged as a massive Eminem fan for the past 15 years.

You, like many other supposedly “mature” adults, have missed the ENTIRE point, concept, whatever you want to call it, of the album. Heck, scratch that, you’ve missed the point of his CAREER.

If you don’t know by now that Eminem splits his albums into different personaliteis and concepts -Marshall, Eminem, and Slim Shady - then you shouldn’t be reviewing his album. First, was the Slim Shady LP, then came Marshall Mathers LP, then Eminem Show, then the Encore (his worst album by far, and the only one deserved of a review as negative as this one), and now, the Relapse.

A poster named Andre did it best up there, by breaking the album into a song-by-song story, which is what it is. There is a message, a meaning, a story, behind every single one of Eminems songs, you just have to know where and when to look for it. The thing I’ve never understood is how people can be SO offended by Eminem when musicians have been talking about this shit for centuries.

Bands considered to be “legendary” like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, all got completley blown and high before recording there songs, albums, they were all stinkin’ drug addicts. So tell me what is the difference between those guys being drug addicts and not singing about it (not directly anyways) and Eminem rapping about BEING a drug addict? There is none.

With movies, TV shows, an abundance of other musical artists, and even the people we associate with everyday, we get this same kind of offensiveness. I don’t get how you can applaud and commend Marshall Mathers LP and then spit on this one, when both are grotesquely inappropriate and violent CONCEPT albums (I emphasize that word because it is very key in understanding Eminem). But because he’s 36 now, he can’t rap about the same stuff he used to? Well I’ll be damned, better go tell Elvis Costello and Diana Krall to change there subject matter ASAP!

Eminem is a genius. There are no other artists in history that can flow like him, that can rhyme words like him, and that can put forth twisted ideas like him. Never has there been an artist who could take a concept as wretched as incest-rape and make it a comedic song, all the while maintaining that these things did in fact happen to him. Why don’t you grow up in the hood of Detroit, Michigan, have no father, get raped by your stepfather and fed drugs by your strung-out mother, and then see what kind of music YOU would write about. I assure you it wouldn’t be about lollipops and beautiful butterflies.

Eminem has a story, a life, just like the rest of us, and he decided to use his unique talents to express it through music. If you don’t like the way he does it, then to bad, go listen to Hannah Montanna or something like that. If you’re going to provide a review for an album, at least show a HINT of objectivity or understanding of the material. This is like people who hate horror movies reviewing horror movies and saying “it was horrible, it was all blood and gore..” WELL, DUH, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU EXPECT?

So, go crawl back into your Disney-channel laden cave, because if you ever expect to hear Eminem ever making radio-friendly, mainstream and non-offensive albums, then you’re going to be waiting a LONG, long time.

/rant

Comment by Carson from Canada — July 3, 2009 @ 3:44 pm

Yeah, this review says as much about the reviewer’s own liberal guilt (something that’s not always a bad thing, by the way) than it does about the Eminem album. The reviewer is clearly controled by the forces of political correctness to such an extent that he feels an extreme amount of guilt for liking Eminem’s music ten years ago.

Uh, here’s something the 18-year-old former You knew when he was listening to the Marshall Mathers LP in 2000: It isn’t real. It’s just music. Eminem wasn’t “crazy” then. He isn’t “crazy” now. He’s playing with characterizations of himself. It isn’t “hate speech”—though I’m pleased to see the media taught you how to use that adorable little vocabulary word—it’s ART (however bad).

And Relapse is bad art. I actually agree entirely with the reviewer’s opinions of the quality of the music and lyricism. The content is also tired, repetitive and not that interesting.

But all this stuff about “I’m so offended!” just means you’ve turned into the same lame people you used to roll your eyes at ten years ago. I’m glad you’ve grown up but you’ve also forgotten something in the process that was worth remembering: The guy is putting on an act. It may be a stupid act. It may be a mean act. But that’s the point. You either like it or you don’t (I don’t). But you, sir, are dangerously close to wanting Eminem brought up on hate-speech charges. Better alert anyone who’s ever been involved in a violent movie, or any actor who’s ever played the part of a racist, that they could be next.

Comment by Danef from New Jersey — July 19, 2009 @ 9:25 pm

nobody here seems to appreciate hip-hop. are you REALLY aware of em’s genious and exhilarating flow? just for the sake of rhyming and flowing as an art form relapse is the best eminem album i’ve heard and one of the most inspiring rythmically. i do not care what he says, he is free. he is not responsible for the things that scare you. meditate. on your breathing.

Comment by spel from los angeles — August 25, 2009 @ 9:13 pm

ANDRE…..I couldn’t have said it better myself

RELAPSE = BEST HIP HOP ALBUM OF 2009, HANDS DOWN

EMINEM = BEST RAPPER ALIVE, HANDS DOWN

Alan, go review Mozart or something.  If this is how you are going to approach a task as daunting (considering that you’re probably not a hip hop listener to begin with) as reviewing an Eminem album, by saying it is “incompatible with the direction society is headed”, then you have no business reviewing an Eminem album.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?  This is what made him famous to begin with, you prick

Comment by GAME from South Africa — August 28, 2009 @ 2:30 pm

wow this is clearly a very weak review written by a weak reviewer. almost every comment here disagrees with him. its just so stupid, he completely trashes this album which is a joke. this rewiewer clearly does not understand eminem and hiphop in general, and i wish poeple like this would not write trash like this. i give this review 1 out of 10
RIP MAC DRE!

Comment by macdrizzle from nowhere — September 15, 2009 @ 2:28 pm