Relapse

So what did you think of Eminem's Relapse album? I typed out a review for MMS and decided to post it here too, see if it creates any discussion. So here goes...

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I'm going to take a track-by-track look at Eminem's latest album Relapse, released in 2009.

3 a.m. - Lyrically this track is pretty good. Eminem kicks off Relapse with a return to the psycho disturbed serial killer persona of Slim Shady. There are a few darkly amusing lines in 3 a.m. but generally the context is straight murder-related. This track is often acclaimed by fans I've spoken with but I'm not really that into it becaus Em's voice gets irritating and his usually smooth flow is broken up which spoils what could have been a real good song. Instead it's just passable. 2.5/5.

My Mom - This song has a catchy chorus, well-crafted thumping Dre beat and lulzy lyrics as Eminem exagerates his mother's drug addiction and his childhood. It's good for a laugh ('Child support your father ain't sent the shit/and so what if he did? It's none of your damn business kid') and the track stuck in my mind for a while. It's not Em on his sharpest lyrically but it's still a good one. 3/5.

Insane - The beat is frantic and Em's delivery is tight but the content isn't to my tastes. Marshall takes his lyrics to the next level in terms of shock tactics (incest rape etc), something which doesn't work too well. Instead of amusing me, it just put me off the song. The chorus is pretty bland, and lacks the impact of the crazy lyrics. Definitely one of the few weak links on Relapse. 1.5/5.

Bagpipes From Baghdad - This song starts off so well and gradually trails off with an awkward verse full of lines which push the boundaries of taste but aren't even funny. The beat is innovative and Em's vocals fit right into place as he spits disses at Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. The first and second verses are hilarious plus Em's lyrical diversity is awesome. The chorus is generic and Em's very nasaly voice for it is lame. This lets the track down but it's still pretty dope. 3.5/5.

Hello - Dre's on top form with this beat with an ominous bassline merging with sycronated claps. Eminem raps without an OTT broken-up flow instead staying pretty chilled which makes a refreshing change. His rhymes are diverse and surprising as ever and he backs this up with a solid memorable chorus. 3.5/5.

Same Song & Dance - The first song on the album which really stands out for me. Dre's beat is excellant, a guitar loop and repeated eerie female singing in the background. Definitely up there with Dre's best productions but Em doesn't waste it at all, dropping complex stacked rhymes in the verses and a brilliant catchy chorus. The lyrics are creepy and at times funny but Em doesn't go overboard like on 'Insane'. He keeps it edgy and shocking without the need for awkward content. 5/5.

We Made You - The first single off Relapse is typical for Eminem, playful and silly. It has a real sing-along chorus and zero swearing which is good for a radio anthem. The beat is original and seems difficult to rap over. Em handles it very well though and his flow is pretty nice here even with that voice. A good first single despite some hit and miss lyrics. 3/5.

Medicine Ball - The second track to wow me. 'Medicine Ball' features a real stomping beat from the Doc, another production highlight for him. Eminem's first verse is awesome, spitting unpredictable and controversial rhymes while providing some lulz at the same time. The second isn't as impactful as the first but it's still very good. The third lets 'Medicine Ball' down a little as Em impersonates deceased actor Christopher Reeves for most of it: very bad taste indeed. However that doesn't drop the score much and it's still one of the best on the album. 4.5/5.

Stay Wide Awake - The weakest song on the album in my opinion. The beat is alright but Eminem's lyrics are mehtastic. The content is overdone and lacks lulz. It comes off as a poor version of Same Song & Dance to be honest with a chorus far inferior. 1/5

Old Times Sake - Relapse gets right back on form with 'Old Times Sake' featuring Doctor Dre. I think Em and Dre work so well together and love the songs 'Forget About Dre', 'Guilty Conscience' and 'Say What You Say'. This is another great edition to the Em and Dre catalogue. The beat is pretty heavy and Dre's flow is badass. Eminem provides plenty of funny lines although it would have been better if he'd have dropped *that* voice seeing as this song is supposed to be a throwback to the past. 5/5.

Must Be The Ganja - This is quite an original track in terms of the beat and Eminem's rhyme structure over it. As usual Em's lyrically diversity and wide range of vocab is really impressive. The chorus is pretty memorable which helps as it's actually quite good. It always sucks when a lame chorus gets stuck in your head. Nothing too special but a decent track no doubt. 3/5.

Déjà Vu - Another top track here. Eminem's explanation of his drug addiction is done very well here with no silly voice or broken flow. Em keeps it simple with his delivery but still stacks rhymes which shows off his mad-skillz. The chorus is alright but the verse lyrics are the highlight as Em comes out with original content on a topic which has been done to death by so many rappers including him. The minimalistic beat is like many on Relapse but still of a high quality and allows Em to shine. 4/5.

Beautiful - The only meaningful song on the album is 'Beautiful' and that isn't the only reason it stands out. The sample is perfect and the general vibe is very like 'Sing for the Moment' from The Eminem Show album. The track's message would be corny if delivered by most artists but Em pulls it off well. There are no shocking lyrics or frantic flow here which is quite refreshing, it's mellow Shady and his content is pretty touching. 5/5.

Crack A Bottle - Lyrically a stepdown for Eminem and I can understand why some lyricist-lovers don't like it. The beat is decent, and the chorus infectious but the lines in it are generic and kinda lame. Em and Dre provide some tight verses although nothing awesome from either of them. 50's verse sounds half-hearted and predictable. Perhaps I'm being harsh because it contains three of the biggest names in rap history (it should have been an insta-win). 3.5/5.

Undergound - The beat makes a change from most of the album, it stands out prominantly. Eminem drops *that* voice for this one and returns to a flow and song content seen on tracks like 'Criminal'. Some of the lines are kinda weak in this track but the dips are well out-weighed by hilarious or edgy lyrics and an epic chorus. A strong way to end Relapse, another highlight. 4.5/5.

Overall Relapse is a great album, the best of 09 so far in my opinion. The song topics aren't very diverse but lyrically Eminem is as sharp and original as ever, dropping complex rhymes over top-notch production from the Doc (best beat-maker in the game, Relapse proves it). Relapse doesn't top The Eminem Show or The Marshall Mathers LP, two of the best rap albums ever, but it's definitely Em's third best album and a significant improvement on his last effort Encore. 4.5/5.