Eminem - "The Eminem Show"
Reviewed By: ULTIMATECDLINK
Album Rate: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Eminem returns with a 20 track follow-up to his multi-platinum album "Marshall Mathers LP". Although Eminem doesn't bring as much lyrical fire to the table that he did with his last album, "The Eminem Show" is still one of the top albums of 2002.
Some of the tracks have a rock music feel to them beginning with "White America". Eminem raps about how he is a huge rap star because he is white.
"Business" is an OK track. Eminem raps over a Dr. Dre produced beat on the track that almost sounds radio friendly.
Next up is "Cleaning Out My Closet". This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It's a song aimed at his mother (Debbie Mathers), father (Marshall Mathers II), & the guy he pistol whipped for kissing his ex-wife (John Guerra). This is the track that he brings the anger to mic, just like "The Way I Am" from "The Marshall Mathers" LP.
Next track is "Square Dance". Eminem raps over a heavy bass beat and does the hook in a Southern country voice. Pretty tight track.
"Soldier" has a Southern beat to it--it sounds like something C-Murder would rap over.
The next track is "Say Goodbye Hollywood". Eminem sings the hook on this one. It's not that bad of a track but it's not one of my favorites on the album.
"Drips" (f/ Obie Trice) is the next track. This track is about Eminem, his girlfriend (who has been cheating with Obie), and Obie all catching a STD. Eminem sings the hook on this one too. It's a pretty funny track.
Next up is the first single "Without Me". Eminem continues the trend of releasing the radio/MTV friendly track in order to sell as many albums as he can in Week 1. I thought this single was better than the first single from Eminem's previous two albums. It's a catchy track while throwing in quick disses to several people.
"Sing For The Moment" is another track with a rock music feel to it. Eminem even samples Aerosmith's "Dream On" for the hook. Eminem raps about all his lawsuits and how he is misportrayed as a criminal. He ties it all together and makes this one of the tightest tracks on the album.
"Superman" is the next track and again has a rock music feel to it. Eminem brings some tight lyrics on this song.
"Hailie's Song" is something completely different for Eminem. He sings on almost this entire track that is a dedication to his daughter. Toward the end, he starts to rap (and diss ex-wife Kim at the same time). At the end, Eminem jokingly admits that he can't sing. Now I know why Eminem became a rapper and not a singer.
"When The Music Stops" (f/ D-12) is a track about rap music and it's influence on others to commit crime.
Next track is "Say What You Say" (f/ Dr. Dre). This is the Jermaine Dupri diss track. Dre says "Fuck Jermaine" and lets him know that he is not in the league with himself and Timbaland. He also lets JD know that he's sold 80 million albums without the help of an 11 or 12 yr. old.
"Till I Collapse" (f/ Nate Dogg) and "My Dad's Gone Crazy" help end the album on a nice note. "Till I Collapse" has a bunch of hand clapping in it--almost reminds me of "We Will Rock You" by Queen.
Overall, Eminem shows us something different by bringing in a rock influence and a little singing. But Eminem still shows that he is one of the tightest MC's out there. I don't think this album is better than "The Marshall Mathers LP" but it's still worth picking up if you are an Eminem fan.
Eminem - "The Eminem Show"