Through out the years, we have known Eminem as 3 people. We know Eminem as the lyrical backpack emcee that can spit the hottest 16 bars that you will ever hear in your life. We also know him as the wise cracking, loud mouth, evil serial killer comic relief known as Slim Shady. And we also know him as just a simple white dude from Detroit, Michigan who is just a single father and wants to live a normal life. Now the question is, how does one person balance these 3 alias's? The answer is simple, he balances them out in his music.
For the past decade, Eminem took the world into a journey through his tormented mind and nothing was off limits, not even himself. From his dysfunctional relationships with his mother and the mother of his child. From his sick fantasies about killing both of them and anybody that got in his way. Eminem showed the world that he was a crazy motherfucker in hip-hop, and like Bishop from Juice he just did not give a FUCK.
However, the middle finger started to disappear, when his inner pain started to catch up with him. After the death of his best friend Proof, Eminem went into a deep depressed stage where he was addicted to sleeping pills, and nearly suffered a deadly fate. After coming out of rehab, Mr. Mathers want back into the lab with the good Dr. Dre, and cooked up the soundtrack that even Charles Manson would want played at his funeral, Relapse.
Relapse was originally going to be 2 albums that was going to be released last year. Even through the first CD sold over a million copies worldwide, a lot of fans were disappointed with the CD, because they felt that Em was not living up to their expectations. They KNEW that after 4 years of him missing in action, Slim had to stop fucking around and make people remember who the fuck he was.
Em felt the same way, so instead of releasing the 2nd Relapse album, Slim threw that album in the trash and started from scratch. For the first time ever, Eminem ventured away from the Dr. Dre production and started working with other producers. He also collaborated with artist that no one would ever think that he would EVER collaborate with. Finally he wanted to move away from the serial killer theme and show people people that he has finally cleared his head, he renamed the album Recovery. Eminem wanted to show the world that he has finally cleared his head from all the pain that has effected him, and that this time he's back..for real this time.
Now before I go on, let me point out that this album is VERY different then any other album Eminem has released. This time around there are NO skits, there is no intro skit. Em's manager Paul Rosenberg doesn't even give Em a call to tone it down on the content. Ken Kaniff doesn't even make his perverted presence known, he is probably still in rehab, stripping naked during his AA meetings. Also for the first time ever, Dr. Dre doesn't make a rap appearance. 50 Cent is left out, and for the second time D-12 doesn't even make an appearance. You can clearly tell, that Em was trying to do something new, and not do the same old thing he has done on his last few albums.
Now without further ado, here is my review on Recovery...
1. Cold Wind Blows (Produced by Just Blaze)
The album opens up to Em singing to a slow but dark beat. Em is singing to the listener letting them know that if you are sick of hearing his voice and his content then you should turn the album off right now. Em sings, "Just why you came back again, you hate the fame, Love the game, cold as ice you remain, FUCK EM'ALL, tell 'em all eat shit, here we go again!" This little intro before the song is pretty much a lil PSA before the beat drops. The beat is pretty banging and guaranteed to blow your bass. Em's presence is known when he proclaims,
"You can get the dick, just call me the ballsac, I'm nuts
Michael Vick in this bitch dog, fall back you mutts
Fuck your worms, you never seen such a sick puppy
Fuck it a sick duck, I'm on my duck sick mummy
And my nuts, lick, gobble 'em up trick, yummy
Bitch you don't fucking think that I know that you suck dick dummy?.."
This song is filled with punchlines, and let's u know that Slim is not gonna be so friendly to that mic. Em is still being a lil asshole when he still gives some jabs to Mariah Carey and picks on Michael J. Fox when he says "Shit the day that happens the world'll stop spinning, And Michael J. Fox'll come to a stand still.." Damn I guess the Christopher Reeves jokes were getting a little too old and he had to find a new target.
The hook is pretty good too, pretty catchy,
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, I'm as cold as the cold wind blows
When it snows and it's twenty be-low
Ask me why man I just don't know know know know know know know
I'm as cold as the cold wind blows blo-blo-blo-blo-blo-blows
Oh oh oh oh oh"
Album has a pretty good opening, and this track does not disappoint.
Busby's Review: 4.5/5
2. Talkin' 2 Myself (feat. Kobe) (Produced by. DJ Khalil)
This is pretty much a retrospective track, and Em is bring brutally honest about how he was feeling at a certain point in his life. Surprisingly he even reveals that he was jealous of Lil' Wayne, so jealous to the point that he was about to diss him.
I went away I guess that opened up some lanes
But there was no one who even knew I was going through growing pains
Hatred was flowing through my veins, on the verge of going insane
I almost made a song dissing Lil Wayne
It's like I was jealous of him, cause of the attention he was getting
I felt horrible about myself, he was spitting and I wasn't
Anyone who was buzzing back then could of got it
Almost went at Kanye too, god it feels like I'm going psychotic
Thank god that I didn't do it
I'd of had my ass handed to me, and I knew it
But proof isn't here to see me through it
I'm in the booth popping another pill, tryna talk myself into it
Are you stupid? You gon' start dissing people for no reason
Especially when you can't even write a decent punchline even
You're lying to yourself, you're slowing dying
You're denying, your health is declining with your self esteem
you're crying out for help
Hearing this verse kinda surprised me because I would never think that Em would be the one calling out a rapper. Usually with Em, rappers would usually start beef with him (I.E. Benzino, Everlast, ICP, etc). Em continues to explain his inner pain that he was feeling when he was going through his addiction and how alone he felt, and how he should get himself out of a slump.
"But instead of feeling sorry for yourself, do something about it
Admit you got a problem, your brain is clouded
You're powdered long enough, It isn't them, its you, you fucking baby
Quit worrying bout what they do and do Shady, I'm fucking going crazy.."
He even apologizes to the fans about the last few albums, the first of many apologies to come on this album..
"It's different, them last 2 albums didn't count
Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushing 'em out
I've come to make it up to you, now no more fucking around
I got something to prove to fans cause I feel like I let 'em down
So please accept my apology, I finally feel like I'm back to normal
I feel like me again, let me formally re-introduce myself.."
This track kinda reminds me of Rock Bottom. I give Em props because he was not afraid to talk about his emotions. DJ Khalil did his thing on the boards and Kobe's hook pretty much summed the song up perfectly.
"Is anybody out there, It feels like I'm talking to myself
No one seems to know my struggle, and everything I come from
Can anybody hear me yeah, I guess I keep talking to myself
Feels like I'm going insane, am I the one who's crazy"
For some reason I could have pictured this beat being more for Fabolous then for Eminem, but whatever, pretty good track.
Busby's Review: 4/5
3. On Fire (Produced Mr. Porter)
Kon Artis from D-12 laces a pretty dark sinister beat for Mr. Shady. Em's flow is on point like always but he ain't really rapping about nothing special. The hook is pretty gay too with the way he says "You on FIIIIRE..." sorry Em, but leave the "On Fire" talk for 50 & Banks. This could have been a good track for D-12 to spit on but ehh..pretty average track..
Busby's Review: 3/5
4. Won't Back Down (feat. Pink) (Produced by DJ. Khalil)
The first shocking guest makes her appearance as Pink sings to a very rocking beat by DJ Khalil. Em's flow is on point and his punchlines are always there..
"I gave Bruce Wayne a valium
And said settle your fucking ass down, I'm ready for combat man
Get it, calm Batman? Nah, ain't nobody who's as bomb and as
Nuts, lines are like mom's cat scans
Cause they fucking go ba-na-na.."
Michael J Fox ain't safe either..again
"Girl shake that ass like a donkey with parkinsons
Make like Michael J Fox in the jaws playing with an etcha-sketch.."
One thing that I also noticed in the song is that Em mentions Weezy on here, and i don't care what ANYBODY says that was diss..
"Bitch am I the reason that your boyfriend stopped rappin'
Does a bird chirp, Lil' Wayne slurps syrup til he burps
And smokes purp, does a wordsearch get circles wrapped around it
like you do when I come through, I'd like you to remind yourself
Of what the fuck I can do when I'm on the mic.."
Find it kinda funny that Weezy is actually ON Em's album and let Em still left it on here. Ha, guess that is just Shady acting like an asshole haha.
I don't care what anybody says, that track KNOCKS and is most likey going to be the next single. Trust me when i say this, this song WILL be a hit..
Busby's Review: 5/5
5. W.T.P. (White Trash Party)(Produced by DJ. Khalil)
Khalil's production continues with a track that kinda reminds me of Cum On Everybody & Drug Ballad. The beat is nice, kinda got that club feel. Like the title says, pretty much Shady's humor is still in effect and is describing a party full of crazy hillbilly white folks.
"Now you can do this on your own, but everyone knows
That no one likes to be alone, so get on the floor and grab somebody
Ain't nothing but a white trash party!
So let's have us a little bash, and if anyone asks
It ain't no one, but us trash
You don't know, you better ask somebody
Cause we're having a white trash party!"
Track is pretty decent not gonna lie, would not be surprised if they play this at the club one day. I mean shit..it's not everyday you hear Eminem at the club. However for me the shit is kinda corny..
Busby's Opinion: 3/5
6. Going Through Changes (Produced by Emile)
Another introspective track, almost like the sequel to Deja Vu, pretty depressing track imo, he finally talks about the pain he was going through when he lost Proof and how deep in his addiction he got.
"They say Proof just flipped out, homie just whipped out and bust, nah...
It isn't like dudey to do that, he wouldn't fuckin shoot at nobody, he'd fight first
But dwelling on it only makes the night worse
Now I'm popping Vics, Percs and methadone pills
"Yeah Em, tight verse, you killed it"
Fuckin' drug dealers hang around me like yes-men
And they gonna do whatever I says when, I says it
It's in their best interest to protect their investment
And I just lost my fucking best friend, so fuck it.."
This track is pretty deep, and kinda makes me sad. Track shows Em's skill as a song writer and he shows it on this track.
Busby's Review: 4.5/5
7. Not Afraid (Produced by Bo1-ida)
Well I already reviewed the single when it first dropped so if you wanna know my overall opinion on it just go here.
Busby's Opinion: 3.5/5 (song is starting to grow on me)
8. Seduction (Produced by Bo1-ida)
Now this is a pretty good concept track, Em's flow on this is NUTS. Bo1-ida's beat is nice and smooth, and makes the track have a dark theme to it. On this track Em is pretty much playing a dude that is stealing a chick away from another dude just because he is a better rapper then him.
"She's sitting there getting liquored up at the bar
She says it's quicker to count the things that ain't wrong with you
Than to count the things that are
There's a seven disc, CD changer in her car
And I'm in every single slot, and you're not, awww
I'm the logo on that Dallas Cowboy helmet, a star
And I'm not about to sick back and just keep rhyming one syllable, nah
Switch it up and watch them haters not give it up, cause they're just not good enough
But I'm not giving up til I get my respect, and I won't stop til I get enough
Cause I'm not living up to my own expectations, aww
That hater alarm is sounding off, and Obama took the bomb from my name, aww
So quit crying that I took your dame, homie she's my dame, aww**
You sadly mistaken if you thinkin' that I'm not on my game boy
And things just ain't been the same since the day that I came for it
You wear your heart on your sleeve, I sport that white tank boy
But you got a hard on for me, what you hollerin' my name for?
It's your bitch on my dick, ain't my dang fault, man I can't call it"
**hmm is he going at Hov?..
I feel that the 'chick' that Em is talking about stealing is a metaphor for hip-hop. When he jumps on a track he completely tears the beat APART, and with every verse he rips, hip-hop falls in love with him even more. Pretty good concept, and this was pretty much a warning shot to all the rappers..yea including YOU..
Busby's Review: 4/5
9. No Love (feat. Lil' Wayne) (Produced by Just Blaze)
First of all, I don't care what ANYBODY says Just Blaze was a GENIUS for flipping the Night At The Roxbury theme song. Sorry I just have to do it..
Anyway back to the review, the first thing you hear when the beat drops is the lighter getting flickered. Then you hear Weezy's voice say "Young Money" and I guess Wayne is trying to get Em back for the Drop The World..
"Fucking right I've got my gun, semi-Cartermatic
Yeah, put a dick in their mouth, so I guess it's "fuck what they say"
I'm high as a bitch, up, up and away
Man, I come down in a couple of days
OK, you want me up in the cage, then I'll come out in beast mode
I got this world stuck in the safe, combination is the G-code
It's Weezy motherfucker, blood gang and I'm in bleed mode
All about my dough, but I don't even check the peephole
So you can keep knocking but won't knock me down
No love lost, no love found..."
Weezy came alright on the track, I kinda expected Weezy to go on his No Ceilings mixtape flow, and just go IN. However he held back on a EMINEM feature, and that my friends is a no no. Of course Em had to show him who daddy is..
So you might want to go back to the lab tonight and um
Scribble out them rhymes you were going to spit
And start over from scratch and write new ones
But I'm afraid that it ain't gonna make no difference
When I rip this stage and tear it in half tonight
It's an adrenaline rush to feel the bass thump
In the place all the way to the parking lot, fellow
Set fire to the mic and ignite the crowd
You can see the sparks from hot metal
Cold-hearted from the day I Bogarted the game
I so started to rock fellow
When I'm not even in my harshest
You can still get roasted because Marsh is not mellow
Til I'm toppling from the top I'm not going to stop
I'm standing on my Monopoly board
That means I'm on top of my game and it don't stop
Til my hip don't hop anymore
When you so good that you can't say it
Because it ain't even cool for you to sound cocky anymore
People just get sick cause you spit
These fools can't drool or dribble a drop anymore
And you can never break my stride
You never slow the momentum at any moment I'm about to blow
You'll never take my pride
Killing the flow, slow venom and the opponent
Is getting no mercy, mark my words
Ain't letting up, relentless
I smell blood, I don't give a fuck, keep giving them hell
Where was you when I fell and needed help up?
You get no love...
damn...just damn...Wayne finally got his wish and got to do feature on a Eminem album and he got lyrically roasted again...sorry Weezy..maybe next time
Busby's Opinion: 4/5
10. Space Bound (Produced by Jim Jonsin)
Another metaphoric track, pretty good nice laid back track by Jim Jonsin. Pretty much the track is showing how much in love he is with hip hop and how much he is willing to give up, even his own life.
"I'll do whatever it takes
When I'm with you, I get the shakes
My body aches when I ain't
With you I have zero strength
There's no limit on how far I would go
No boundaries, no lengths
Why do we say that until we get that person that we think's
Gonna be that one and then once we get 'em, it's never the same
You want them when they don't want you
Soon as they do, feelings change
It's not a contest and I ain't on no conquest for no mate
I wasn't looking but I stumbled onto you, must've been fate
But so much is at stake, what the fuck does it take
Lets cut to the chase
But a door shuts in your face
Promise me if I cave in and break and leave myself open
That I won't be makin' a mistake"
Interesting track, some straight poetry from Marshall. Decent track I guess but I can see myself skipping it.
Busby's Review: 3/5
11. Cinderella Man (Produced by Just Blaze)
Another booming Just Blaze track, I kinda like this track, and Em is on his lyric tip like always. Disses Relapse again when he says,
"Fuck my last CD, that shits in my trash
I be goddamn if another rapper gets in my ass!"
Kind of an inspiring track to be honest to keep your head up..but i like it
Busby's Review: 3.5/5
12. 25 to Life (Produced by. DJ Khalil)
The conclusion of his relationship with hip-hop, Em is pretty much leaving hip-hop behind and doing his own thing. This kinda reminds me of Sayin Goodbye to Hollywood, and boy does Em go in on this bitch
"All I ever felt was this helplessness
Imprisoned by a selfish bitch
Chew me up and spit me out
I fell for this so many times, it's ridiculus
And still I stick with this
Im sick of this, but in my my sickness and addiction
Your addictive as they get
Evil as they come, vindictive as they make 'em
My friends keep asking why I cant just walk away from
Im addicted, to the pain, the stress, the drama
Im torn in, so I guess imma mess, cursed and blessed
But this time i ain't changing my mind
Im climbing out this abyss
You screaming as I walk out that i'll be missed
But when you spoke of people who meant the most to you
You left me off your list, fuck you hip-hop
Im leaving you, my life sentence is served bitch.."
Busby's Review: 4.5/5
13. So Bad (Produced by Dr. Dre)
Can't have a Em album without a Dr. Dre beat. But honestly I CANNOT get into this track. I don't know why I just can't, Em's flow is alright I guess, but Dre's beat is below average I've heard better from both of them but whatever. This is skippable..
Busby's Review: 2/5
14. Almost Famous (Produced by Just Blaze)
OH..MY..GOD..this track is FLAMES! I kid u NOT, the beat is monstrous and Em rips this beat a new asshole. I will put this track up there with Till I Collapse and Rabbit Run. This track is pretty much Em explaining how he got signed and how he was taking NO prisoners on the mic, and how became famous.
I'm back for revenge, I lost the battle, that ain't happening again
I'm at your throat like strep, I step strapped with a pen
Metaphors wrote on my hand, some are distorting my mem-ory
Some are wrote on a napkin, do what I have to to win
Pulling out all stops, any who touch a mic prior
Is not even Austin Powers, how the fuck are they Mike Myers
And tell that psycho to pass the torch to the whacko 'for
I take a shit in his jackolantern then smash it on his porch
Now get off my dick, dick's too short of a word for my dick
Get off my antidisestablishmentarianism you prick!
Don't call me the champ, call me the space shuttle destroyer
I just blew up the challenger, matter of fact, I need a lawyer
I just laced my gloves with enough plaster to make a cast
Beat his ass naked and pee'd in his corner like Verne Troyer
Ya'll are Eminem backwards, you're menime's
See he's in a-whole-nother weight class, his slugs your BB's
Your bean bag bullets, you're full of it, you were dissing his CD's
Laughed at Infinite, now he's back like someone pissed in his wheeties
No peace treaty's, he's turned into a beast
His new Slim Shady EP's got the attention of the might DRE
He's almost famous!
damn!
Busby's Review: 5/5
15. Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) (Produced By Alex Da Kid)
This track is alright I guess, kinda reminds me of Love U More. I'm sorry but this track is NOT a Eminem track, this is more of a left over track off of Rihanna's album. I have a feeling they are gonna release this as a single just off of Rihanna's hook.
"Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
That's alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
That's alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie.."
ehh whatever, I can see females falling in love with this track..
Busby's Review: 3/5
16. You Never Over (Produced by Just Blaze)
This is pretty much a track for Proof talking about how proud he would be of him and how he is still keeping his head high. Now all of Em's album ALWAYS had a strong opening and an EPIC ending. Now this track is pretty weak, but whatever, it was a pretty nice ode to Proof.
"There wasn't no way that I was gonna ever leave them babies, and Proof
Not many are lucky enough to have a guardian angel like you
Lord I'm so thankful, please don't think I don't feel grateful, I do
Just grant me the strength that I need, for one more day to get through
So homie this is your song, I dedicate this to you
I love you Dudey"
Busby's Review: 3/5
17. Here We Go (Produced by. Havoc)
Now this is a hidden track they added at the last min, and it is produced by Mobb Deep's Havoc. Was kinda surprised that Havoc made the beat because it sounds like something Eminem would have made. Em's flow is on point and of course he is shooting punchlines at you like you are in the matrix..
"Bitch I flow like Troy Palumalu's hair, boy.
Don't you dare try to follow or compare, boy.
I'm raw, you ain't even medium rare
Stay the fuck outta my hair, boy!
You can look, you can stare and point
But you can't touch since you're queer boy.
I don't get it man, is there a void
All this weak shit, what am I steroids?
Well bitch I'm back with some shit for that ass
And your trunk, Elephant hemorrhoids.."
Busby's Review: 4/5
Busby's Overall Opinion:
Well it was a very interesting album for me being an Em fan. It was kinda weird not hearing him kill anybody on his record. Barely mentioned his mom which was a first, and barely even mentioned Kim. Did I enjoy it? yes i did, even through there were a few tracks on there I would skip but all in all for me it was a enjoyable album. It felt weird that the violent Slim Shady didnt make an appearance on this album. Recovery is pretty much the flip coin to Relapse the complete opposite. Relapse was the story about a crazy man coming off drugs and blinded by rage. While Recovery is the story about the same man coming out of the drugs, and finally awakened and seeing life in a new way. All in all Marshall Mathers, Eminem, & Slim Shady are one person, and that person is here to stay...
NOW HURRY UP AND SIGN SLAUGHTERHOUSE!!
~~Mr. Busby~~
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