Ok, finally after reading many reviews on epinions, I am going to write my own. Why review Encore? Well partially due to the fact that Eminem is my favorite rapper (hip hop heads, please do not quit reading at this point), and partially due to the fact that this album has gotten such mixed reviews. Also, just a note: Yes, although Em is my favorite rapper, I can still be unbiased. Anyway, lets get to the review.

Encore starts off with a skit similar to the one on Em's previous album, where you hear an audience clapping, cheering his name, ect. Then comes a song by the name of Evil Deeds with a great beat, that will have you bouncing your head along with it; at least until Em starts singing. Singing! Yes, Singing, and I don't just mean the hook, I mean singing the song, all of it. And so we stumble across the first and foremost problem with this album, singing. It kills this song and many others that have nice beats, concepts, and would otherwise be great songs (such as Yellow Brick Road, Puke, ect). Ok, lets get things straight, I actually don't have a problem with some of his singing, for instance Hailie's Song on his previous album, but here he just overdoes it. But anyway, moving right along, Evil Deeds is followed by Never Enough, which makes up for any bad feelings left from the previous song. Great lyrics, great beat, great guest appearances (if I told you who you wouldn't believe me), and just a great song.

After Never Enough we are left expecting greatness, and are rewarded with, well, greatness. Yellow Brick Road, is one of the better songs on Encore lyrically, and beatwise is decent enough. The only problem is Em's second verse, which, not too surprisingly, he sings. Moving along we come to arguably the best song on the album, Like Toy Soldiers, which goes into detail on various Eminem beefs. A great song, which is worth all of the junk that comes along with it. Mosh, an anti-Bush song is drowned out by a harsh, loud beat, which some enjoy, and some find unlistenable. Decent altogether though, and one last ear pleaser before the album plummets in quality.

Puke, My 1st Single, Rain Man, Big Weenie, Just Lose It, and A$$ Like That, stink (unless your a huge Em fan, like me, and then you can't stop listening). Singing, immature (yes immature, not funny) jokes, terrible lyricism, average beats, and thats just scratching the surface.

But then Em redeems himself, with two good listens. Spend Some Time, with a nice beat, and some decent guest appearances, is a worhty listen. Mockingbird, is my favorite song on the album, and in the running for my favorite Em song of all time. A song where Em just pours his heart into his music, rapping about his daughter, it alone make it worth it to at least give the album a listen.
Even rap haters can sometimes be caught nodding their heads to the beat.

Crazy In Love, the next song, can be described in one word. Singing. And, about a subject some people are just sick of, Kim. Then One Shot, Two Shot, easily the worst song on the album. Luckily, the album finishes off on a good note with Encore, a party banger that actually bangs, with a nice beat, and decent guest appearances.


TRACK LISTING:

1. Curtains Up (N/A)
2. Evil Deeds (3 stars)
3. Never Enough (4 stars)
4. Yellow Brick Road (5 stars)
5. Like Toy Soldiers (5 stars)
6. Mosh (3 stars)
7. Puke (3 stars)
8. My 1st Single (2 stars)
9. Paul (Skit) (N/A)
10. Rain Man (3 stars)
11. Big Weenie (2 stars)
12. Em Calls Paul (Skit) (N/A)
13. Just Lose It (2 stars)
14. A*s Like That (2 stars)
15. Spend Some Time (4 stars)
16. Mockingbird (5 stars)
17. Crazy in Love (3 stars)
18. One Shot 2 Shot (1 star)
19. Final Thought (Skit) (N/A)
20. Encore (4 stars)


To buy or not to buy, that is the question. If you are an Em fan, definitely, if a rap lover, probably, and if anything else, sadly, no. An average album from Em, and a disapointment, but still a decent buy.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving