Eminem's new album, Recovery, came out a few weeks ago and I figured I should write what I thought about it. Eminem was one of the first rappers I ever liked. I've been listening to him for around seven years now, and he's still one of my favorites (probably in my top 10.) His 2009 effort, Relapse, was better then most of the shit that comes out these days, but wasn't nearly as strong as his previous albums.
When Recovery first leaked, I was expecting something similar to Relapse, not as much content wise, but more style-wise. When Eminem first dropped, he was known for being very controversial, both for the violent content of his lyrics and for making fun of people. Relapse was more about being a psycho drug addict rapist, and the majority of the songs were terrible. I was somewhat expecting him to drop a CD full of shitty gospel tracks. When I first listened to Recovery, I was surprised in a positive way, but not how I was expecting.
Rather then returning to his comedic and over-the-top style of his first four albums, Recovery mostly has an upbeat, inspirational feel to it, without being overly cheesy. I was initially, and still very much upset that pre-Relapse Eminem is now officially gone. No more fun tracks like "Without Me" or "The Real Slim Shady". I'll get over it. Recovery has a lot of very strong tracks, and only a few sub-par ones. My favorites are "Cold Wind Blows", which addresses those who try to compare Slim Shady to other rappers (which is silly because he's really in his own genre, aside from D12.) Going Through Changes was another song I really liked. Eminem talks about how he has left behind his goofier side in exchange for a grown up version who can look back at everything he's been through. My favorite track by far though is "You're Never Over", which is dedicated to the deceased rapper Proof, who was Eminem's best friend and was a bandmate in the group D12. Eminem depicts Proof as his guardian angel and acknowledges that he would be nothing if it wouldn't have been for Proof and how Proof keeps him strong even though he's dead. I felt this was a very honest and deep song with meaning to it.
There were some crappier songs on this album, such as Won't Back Down, W.T.P., 25 to Life, and Cinderella Man. I couldn't really get any meaning out of them, and that's usually how I distinguish songs as good or bad.
Overall I'd say this was a good but not great CD. I'll give it a 7.5/10. It's probably going to be popular, but with a newer generation that never liked him before. Older Eminem fans such as myself will probably stick to his earlier work. I will say this album was probably a step in the right direction though, and I'm looking forward to what's next for Marshall Mathers.
2 comments:
I couldn't find any crappy songs on this album! And with seven singles on Billboards top 100 I believe that makes it his most successful album to date! Most artist are lucky to get 3 singles out of their Albums!
Okay I know it's been awhile so we have to reacquaint ourselves with Em. Try to remember who he is. When we get an Eminem album, we get an album about what's going on in his life. So when you listen to those like Won't Back Down, 25 to Life, and Cinderella Man, try to remember what's been happening in his life. 25 to Life is about Hip Hop. He says it at the very end. Remember last year Em won the Grammy for best Rap album, (yes was Relapse was a bad commercial album, but an EXCELLENT lyrical study in story telling for rappers) But yet he was left of MTV's top 10 MC's of 2009! Yet guys like Drake, lil wayne, and Rick Ross were on it! It's him giving the middle finger to Hip Hop list makers, critic's and so called guru's! as is No Love, and Here We Go. Wont back Down and Cold Wind Blows is both addressing the things Cannon said to him, as well as Hip Hop. Cinderella Man is much like Cinderella pulled herself up from the ashes (drugs and death for Em) to become a queen. "He came to a ball in a wife beater Lost his Nike shoe... Now what's his name. Cinderella Man" Em's back to take his thrown back! :)) WTP is about exactly what he says, making fun of his roots, White Trash parties! lol Seduction Girls = Fickle Hip Hop listeners/ fans of other Rappers, Guy he talking to = other rappers!
I love this album!!! It's a 10 for me!!
And I personally like this better than his older work! And trust me, I never thought he'd out do MMLP and TES! They we're my all time fave albums! But lyrically, and emotionally he did! Not to mention his flow IS SICK!!!!! Did you hear him flowing over WBD! That's a very complex 6/8 time signature!! It's insane! Jay and kenya it (barely) but they were very simplistic hip hop beats, no where near the complexity, with all the switches! He's on another level now! Besides he had to grow up sometime! Here he's focused, deep, real, raw, smart, and HUNGRY like we we've only seen moments of before! I'm a fan of his older work, and I prefer this killer Em!
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