Eminem - Recovery **REVISITED**

So, I decided to come back today to the latest Em release. I'm doing this for a couple reasons - 1) I'm even on all my genre reviews 2) I've been listening to this a lot over the last couple weeks and 3) I feel like some of my New Music Tuesday releases are too open ended. I didn't even give my Top 3 on this one last time, and I feel like some of you enjoy comparing Top 3's and reviews - so why not? I won't fully retort my feelings at first impression - you can look that up if you'd like. But I feel like my initial response was spot on. This album isn't amazing, but it's really good. It's better than Relapse - mostly because of no voice, but Em is back spitting hard on the mic. Now, some songs the lyrics are actually pretty sloppy. Even the popular 'Not Afraid' has some spots where you listen and think, "Really? That's the best rhyme you could come up with?" Example 'F**k the world feed it beans, it's gased up, if it think's it's stopping me.' Come on. I mean, it works and it flows - but listening to that it makes you wonder for a song that's obviously very intense, and you can tell has meaning to Em and his struggle to get free from drugs and get straight with his family - why put lyrics in there that are almost comical? I don't really get it. I also wish he'd have collaborated with more people on this album. I love the Rihanna and Lil Wayne ones, and I feel like Em always sets a standard when coming on other peoples tracks. The BoB 'Airplanes 2' and Drake's 'Forever' are prime examples. It's like when he has another hot rapper to compete against, it brings out the fire that Em needs. Having said that, none of the songs are bad - but some are too plain for the standards he's set. But the songs that kill it, really kill it. 25 To Life is almost Pac like with 'Me And My Girlfriend'. He goes through talking about what seems like his wife and all the problems and issues they have - but then BAM! He's talking about the rap game. And it takes it up a notch. The songs where he's not trying to sell records and be poppy, make me melt inside with desire to listen to more, and more. I can't even imagine a cd full of just those types of tracks. It would be amazing. Maybe one day. Until then, this is more than worth listening to. You'll find at least 6 tracks you'll love. I promise.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Cold Wind Blows
2. Talkin' to Myself
3. On Fire
4. Won't Back Down
5. W.T.P.
6. Going Through Changes
7. Not Afraid
8. Seduction
9. No Love
10. Space Bound
11. Cinderella Man
12. 25 to Life
13. So Bad
14. Almost Famous
15. Love the Way You Lie
16. You're Never Over
17. Untitled

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Space Bound
2. 25 To Life
3. Love The Way You Lie OR No Love

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Eminem - Recovery

Finally.

Finally one of the most highly anticipated records of 2010 is out. Finally one of the best hip hop artists of all time released an entire record that even he takes seriously. Finally we have a BIG rap artist putting out music on a regular basis. Finally I can stop using the word finally. I'm a realist, and I know that even though you shouldn't, most of you listen to the radio on a daily basis. Most of you have probably heard a couple tracks already released as singles. Those are both excellent tracks. This album was leaked all across the internet about a month ago, but I refused to listen. I wanted to wait. Really build that anticipation in my head. That could be dangerous as I might be expecting too much - but I really love Em. And even as mediocre as Relapse/Refill was, I still enjoyed it. Based on his own accord, this should be miles ahead of that in terms of quality - so yeah, I am expecting big things. Twice through now, it certainly has a different feel to it. Em isn't going back to shock value lyrics. He isn't going back to silly reggae beats with a dumb voice. He isn't even going back to silly 'my bum is on your lips' lyrics. Em is telling a story again. The same story that makes him one of the realest emcee's out there today. I want to listen to this another 10 or 15 times before I make my real judgment - but that doesn't work in blogging land. My opinion might change over the next couple weeks, but for right now, I think this is really good. It's not the most amazing record ever, but it's very good. The biggest thing I need to focus on is the actual words. That's what always made Eminem better for me than other artists. My first impression is that about half the album is flat out phenomenal, and the other half is decent. Above average, but not the same level as the other half. I'll still be happy if that's how I round out my opinion a month from now, but it's not going to be that infamous 5+ star record I think deep down I was hoping for. Give this a chance though. I really thing rap fans will enjoy it. Even the casual pop fan will probably dig it too. Happy Tuesday!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Cold Wind Blows
2. Talkin' to Myself
3. On Fire
4. Won't Back Down
5. W.T.P.
6. Going Through Changes
7. Not Afraid
8. Seduction
9. No Love
10. Space Bound
11. Cinderella Man
12. 25 to Life
13. So Bad
14. Almost Famous
15. Love the Way You Lie
16. You're Never Over
17. Untitled

Listen To Samples

SONGS I'M DIGGING SO FAR:
~ On Fire
~ Not Afraid
~ No Love
~ Space Bound
~ Love The Way You Lie
~ You're Never Over

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars (so far, subject to change)

Eminem - Relapse/Refill

After many years of not releasing any music, Eminem struck back with this Relapse piece, and then the Refill side a few months later. Being a pretty big Em guy, I was expecting big things from this. My stance is, as an artist if you're going to take years off and not keep your fans happy, then you do release an album finally, it better be really good. And this showed a ton of promise, since everyone knew it would be a double album and that he'd been writing and working in it for quite some time. At first listen of just Relapse, I was disappointed. It didn't seem to have that flashy Em style that we've all grown fond of. It grew on me as I kept going with it, and I find it okay if I toss it on today. The Refill side though - for the most part was just trash. 'Forever' is an outstanding song, but it was already released on Drake's record and was on some sports soundtrack. Putting it on Refill was pretty lame. 'Elevator' was the next biggest single, and it was simply one of those get his name out on the pop charts type songs. You know, similar to "Real Slim Shady' and those types of tracks. Not a big fan of those. I'm also done with him using that stupid voice. Fans will know what I'm talking about, and I'm not really sure how to explain it for those that aren't fans. He just gets this alternate ego type voice and it's annoying. He's due to drop another record this summer, and I'm hoping the voice is gone, and he goes back to murdering tracks like he did back in the day. Gosh, even like he did on 'Forever'. Even like he's been killing singles like Weezy's 'Drop The World' and BOB's 'Airplanes 2'. We still love ya Em, just bring back the real Slim Shady. Happy Friday!

RELAPSE TRACK LISTING:
1. Dr. West [Skit]
2. 3 A.M.
3. My Mom
4. Insane
5. Bagpipes From Baghdad
6. Hello
7. Tonya [Skit]
8. Same Song & Dance
9. We Made You
10. Medicine Ball
11. Paul [Skit]
12. Stay Wide Awake
13. Old Time's Sake
14. Must Be the Ganja
15. Mr. Mathers
16. Deja Vu
17. Beautiful
18. Crack a Bottle
19. Steve Berman [Skit]
20. Underground

REFILL TRACK LISTING:
1. Forever
2. Hell Breaks Loose
3. Buffalo Bill
4. Elevator
5. Taking My Ball
6. Music Box
7. Drop The Bomb On 'Em

Listen To Samples

Top 5 Tracks: (since it's a double album)
1. Forever
2. Beautiful
3. Underground
4. Stay Wide Awake
5. Old Time's Sake

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars