Ever since Eminem’s album Recovery came out, I have not been able to stop listening to it. Is Eminem back to his old self? Not quite. He will have a hard time following up such emotional and power songs such as “Hailey’s Song” and “Cleaning out my Closet?.”
However, this is a giant step forward from his previous disaster, Relapse. The album names epitomize what the result of the album will be. Relapse was about as bad as you can get, like getting back on drugs. Recovery is a step forward, but not quite back to his old self.
“Talkin 2 Myself” was a song with a sweet hook from Kobe, and Eminem apologizing to fans for disappointing them with Relapse. I instantly forgave him. “Going through changes” was another powerful song that talked about his struggles with addiction and losing one of his close friends Proof.
In case you did not know, Proof was a member of Eminem’s D-12, who tragically lost his life in a shootout at a Detroit club. His dedication song to Proof entitled “You’re Never Over” brought out the master lyricist that Eminem has always been. He exolains how through his struggle, Proof influenced him to get his life on track and recover from his addiction.
Other great songs include “25 to Life” a fantastic collaboration with Lil Wayne in “No Love,” with Lil Wayne spitting one of the sickest verses I have heard in a while, as well as “Not Afraid” and a song featuring Rhianna called “Love the Way you Lie.”
I give this new album a 3 1/2 stars out of 5. The sampling was a little too Kanye-esque. Where were the beats from Dr. Dre? The collaboration with Pink was just god awful, and there were a few songs that were better than Eminem. Overall, however, great step forward to reestablish himself as one of the best rappers of all time, and the greatest of my generation.
Eminem. We forgive you. We wish you the best on your road to recovery. Keep spitting, keep pouring your heart out through the ink of your pen, and give something fans want to hear: your story, your struggles, your life, your pain. Buy Recovery people. It takes a giant shit on Relapse.
Notable songs: “Talkin 2 Myself,” “No Love,” “Love the way you lie,” “Going through changes,”Not Afraid”