slim7117's Full Review: The Eminem Show [PA] by Eminem
Ok, here it is, The Eminem Show, my favorite album of all time. Yes, you read right. Some mainstream rap lovers might agree with me, but right now hip hop head's jaws are probably hanging down to the floor. Why is this my favorite album? Probably because Em is my favorite rapper, and this is my favorite Em album, but in reality I might just like it for sentimental reasons. Back when I used to hate rap with a passion, and rock was my thing, a friend let me listen to the song Like Toy Soldiers (Eminem's later album, Encore) on her ipod. I was instantly hooked, and rap became a little bit more acceptable in to me. Several years and thousands of rap songs later, I now consider myself to be a hip hop head, and I thank Eminem for it. Oh yea, and did I mention that The Eminem Show was the first rap album I ever owned. Anyway, enough of this rambling, lets get to the review.
The Show opens up with a skit in which you hear some soft music and Eminem clearing his throat, presumably before beginning a concert. This bleeds into the next track White America, which contains a head banging beat and clever lyrics, basically about how Em's race has been an advantage to his career, how he hates censorship, and how suburban white kids have supported his career. A great way to start off an album. Next up is business, a catchy little tune about Em saving the day, with his usual charisma and wit.
Cleanin Out My Closet, is what really begins to distinguish the Eminem Show from previous Em albums. Its because of songs like this that people began to actually take him seriously. It can be summed up in one word. Maturity. Yes, Em is rapping about his father and mother, but no, we aren't given the pleasure of hearing him make statements about how he slit his dad's throat, or how his mom has no t!ts, or how he is raping his mom, ect. Yes, he is angry, but no, he does not get out of control. And that is the main reason I like this album better that Em's previous one. Anyway, a nice beat, accompanied by good lyrics make Cleanin Out My Closet an instant classic.
Moving on from Cleanin Out My Closet, you would think the only place to go would be down, but the next song, Square Dance, is another great song. Em shows of his lyrical skill while attacking President Bush, which, while I may not agree with it, is done in a top notch way, that can only please the ear. The only thing I don't care for about the song are the subtle comments on Cannibus, but that's just personal. Next up is a skit, (one of the few I don't usually skip) in which Eminem sees his wife kissing a bouncer and basically just loses it, pun intended. This merges directly into Soldier, a song that see Em spitting lyrical fire, over a nice beat. Another good listen, but then again, so is the most of the album.
Say Goodbye To Hollywood, is a song with a great concept, basically Em saying goodbye to hollywood, if you didn't catch on yet, but the beat can be annoying at times. Still it is at least worth giving it a try. For those people who like buying edited albums, the next song is a bit short (about six seconds), but for everyone else the song, which goes by the name of Drips, may or may not suit your taste. For starters, some just think the song is a bit nasty, and although I happen to enjoy it personally, I can at least understand where they are coming from. Expect lines that have a lot to to with pu$$!es,
pen!$es, and the like. Now lyrically, Drips is not so great to begin with (Obie Trice's verse), and good later on (Em's verse). Anyway, I'll leave that one up to you.
Chances are, if you listen to rap on a regular basis, you have heard the next song at one time or another. This next song would be Without Me. A very annoying beat, which can sometimes be mistaken for catchy, and borderline humorous lyrics, make for a rather skippable song, in my opinion. But even if it was a good song, who cares, I would skip it anyway, due to the fact that the next song, Sing For The Moment, is the best on the album. Using a sample from Aerosmith for the hook, Eminem basically explains why he raps. This is him at his best.
Superman, annoying at times and funny at times. has some great verses, but the hook can get repetitive at times. Overall though, a nice listen. Following superman, we come to Hailie's Song, where Eminem makes his debut as a full on singer. Thinking about this might make you groan, but the song is suprisingly good and one of my personal favorites. If you have heard any of Em's singing on later albums, specifically Encore, you have every reason to want to skip this song, however this sounds nothing like that, and you will be able to stomach it. It is about his daughter, Hailie, and is heartfelt and passionate, and overall just a great listen.
In When the Music Stops, the next song, Em is joined by D12 (his rap group), so expect what you always get from D12, mediocrity. Eminem has a nice verse, and believe it or not, I actually like Bizzare's verse (bad lyricism, but still entertaining). Other than that you get your average D12 song, with a nice beat and sub par lyricism. Next up. Say What You Say, finds Em now joined by Dr Dre. The first time I listened to this song, I didn't really like it, but over time it grew on me, and now I enjoy it.
Till I Collapse, the next song, is possibly one of the most underrated Eminem songs of all time. He spits three great verses with Nate Dogg singing the hook, over a vicious beat. Definitely a must listen, if not just due to his great lyricism. The last song on the album is My Dad's Gone Crazy. It features a nice bouncy beat, and some humorous lyrics. Hailie even make several appearances, her first time ever. Overall another nice listen.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Curtains Up (N/A)
2. White America (4 stars)
3. Business (4 stars)
4. Cleaning Out My Closet (5 stars)
5. Square Dance (5 stars)
6. The Kiss (N/A)
7. Soldier (4 stars)
8. Say Goodbye Hollywood (4 stars)
9. Drips (4 stars)
10. Without Me (3 stars)
11. Paul Rosenberg (N/A)
12. Sing for the Moment (5 stars)
13. Superman (4 stars)
14. Hailie’s Song (5 stars)
15. Steve Berman (N/A)
16. When the Music Stops (3 stars)
17. Say What You Say (3 stars)
18. ‘Till I Collapse (5 stars)
19. My Dad’s Gone Crazy (4 stars)
20. Curtains Close (N/A)
The reason that I like this album better than Eminem's
"classic" album (The Marshall Mathers LP), can be summed up in one word, maturity. Gone are the days of raping his mother, killing his wife, ect. This is the real Eminem, and the one I like the best. Slim Shady (Em's evil alter ego) makes very few appearances, much to my pleasure. Also, some of Em's best lyricism is displayed on this album, another reason I prefer it to his others. Sure this album will never be considered a classic, but in my opinion you can't go wrong with it.
The Eminem Show, produced largely by Em himself, finds the formerly Shady one letting go of the cartoonish thump he perfected with Dr. Dre in favor of...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![The Eminem Show [PA] by Eminem](http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/2c/29/98/2002219289-177x150-0-0.jpg)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.