Pros: Brilliant lyrics, decent music, great delivery
Cons: Blunt and could be offensive, "Drips" is gross
The Bottom Line: Controversial and brilliant, this album is better than the last one by far with more consistent writing and a deeper look at the Real Slim Shady.
Monnie1976's Full Review: The Eminem Show [PA] [Limited] by Eminem
You can imagine my surprise when I walked through Media Play yesterday and saw that Eminem’s new album, The Eminem Show, was already out for the masses. It was originally scheduled to be released in early June, due to pirating it was slated for May 28th, and then this weekend I was told by the salesman the record label decided to release the album three days early.
Well, let me tell you one thing. The Eminem Show is definitely not The Brady Bunch. Every song on the album is a scathing view of issues varying from censorship, then war, and finally his own personal demons. One song is actually sweet though. Lets get into the programming, shall we?
The album opens with a little skit that sounds oddly like “The Nutcracker Suite” which lends a queer innocent sound before delving into the tyrannical “White America|”. This one tackles the issue of censorship and at the same time puts it to the test. He also discusses about how “white America” didn’t pay all that much attention to rap until he came on the scene. He asserts that because he’s white he is more of a threat to the corruption of kids. Is it true? It’s certainly possible, but I am not here to debate that. Anyway, the chorus sounds like a mantra in a sense.
“White America!
I could be on of your kids
White America!
Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my sh*t
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get”
“Cleaning Out My Closet” is the centerpiece of the album where Eminem exploits his demons for the audience. Its sadly tragic and fascinating at the same time and the lyrics are just fantastic. The man is definitely a genius with a pen. He also can be a dictator, a storyteller and an *sshole but he definitely has a talent. I don’t want to quote too many lyrics from this song because it’s better to experience through his anger driven rant. Here is just a little sample.
“But guess what, yer getting older now and it’s cold when you’re lonely
An Nathan’s growin’ up so quick, he’s gonna know that you’re phoney
And Hailie’s getting’ so big now you should see her, she’s beautiful
But you’ll never see her, she won’t even be at your funeral”
“Square Dance” is a song that basically talks about the current war against terrorism. (many won’t like his take on the situation) and I would have to say that it is anti-war. It’s also an urge for people to stand up for the right to freedom of speech. It kind of makes you wonder if he talked about such a hot issue just to illustrate that he has the right to say whatever he wants. Who knows what his motiviation is, but it is something to ponder.
“Soldier” is all about dealing with everything he has to deal with and staying strong. I definitely wouldn’t call it a song on positivity. It’s basically a song about having to deal with a rough life from day to day.
“In confrontations ain’t no conversation, if you feel you’re in violation, any hesitation’ll get you killed.”
After working with street kids for two years, I find some of the lines in this song chilling because I have heard kids say stuff like it all the time. This song will be the song for many kids out there who are on their own. All though it’s sad, I guess it’s somewhat good that Eminem has written something those forgotten kids can relate to.
“Say Goodbye To Hollywood” will have you thinking Eminem might have released his last album. The unbearable pressure is described by Eminem about being a celebrity, being deserted by his ex-wife and he talks about how he will leave it all. I don’t think he actually plans on quitting the rap business but this is him fantasizing about it. Everyone fantasized about quitting their job but most people don’t. This is probably the same thing.
“Drips” is definitely a disgusting song about catching an STD from a girl who gets around. A guest star by the name of Obie Trice raps with Eminem and describes in a way I will not quote about how he got V.D. Then Eminem comes in and talks about his cheating wife. Just guess who she was cheating on Eminem with. This song is gross and I will avoid it on future listens.
Now we have arrived to the current, insanely catchy single “Without Me”. Containing elements of “Buffalo Gals” and some blatant batman theme lifts this song is impossible not to start nodding your head to. He gives himself credit for being “suspenseful with a pencil ever since Prince turned into a symbol”. If you haven’t heard this song yet then I am not sure what rock you are under but it will get stuck in your head.
“Sing For The Moment” uses a sample of “Dream ON” by the legendary Aerosmith. The sample is used pretty well (I wonder what Aerocat would think J) and it matches the material pretty well. The verses use the base line from the song and the chorus is almost exactly as the original. It’s used in pretty much the same way as Dido’s song was for “Stan”.
Finally, Eminem sings (yes, sings!) a little song for his daughter Hailie. It’s certainly not a lullaby but it does show some real vulnerability of Eminem. Definitely more from the Marshall Mathers side of his personality than the Slim Shady side.
“But f*ck it, it’s over
There’s no more reason to cry no more
I got my baby, baby the only lady that I adore”
Overall, this album is definitely better than his previous effort and it’s a lot of things rolled into one. It’s a catharsis, it’s a controversy, it’s a stain on the purity of music and finally its one big rebel cry for freedom of speech. I have to say I admire it. Go get it. You could be offended, you might not like all he has to say but more than likely you might be entertained. And if you happen to be a psych student, crack open those books.
A DVD of concert footage, videos and a cartoon that will be coming out soon is included as well. The cartoon is definitely the same extreme satire taking potshots at Darryl Strawberry and Robert Downey Jr. (one of the few places you'll see Strawberry snorting Downey's ashes) I didn't find it very funny overall but I am sure some people will.
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