Whether a dedicated Eminem fan or a casual music listener, it seems that we’ve all been exposed to Eminem’s struggles with drug addiction. The issue most recently came to light when Eminem ended a 4 year hiatus and released his comeback album, Relapse. Last heard from on the underwhelming Encore, Em hoped Relapse would show the world that he was back and better then ever; it didn’t. While Relapse featured impressive lyrical dexterity, the actual music proved to be far from what people were hoping to hear. The CD’s lyrical content was seen as a contrived attempt to recapture Marshall’s old ability to shock via his Slim Shady alter ego, and many of the beats from legend Dr. Dre were understated and simply not appealing. That being said, there was hope still, found mostly in the form of 3 songs: Old Time’s Sake, a bouncy, catchy anthem from Eminem and the Dr. himself; Deja Vu, a devastatingly honest account of Marshall’s rock bottom moments with drug addiction; and most of all, Beautiful, a moving and hopeful ballad from the very same rapper that had been known to devastate listeners before lifting their spirits. With these three songs as proof that something was still there, Eminem scrapped a sequel album entitled Relapse 2 and instead focused on a brand new album that would earn his fan’s trust back: Recovery.
A full year later, here we are; the curtain has been lifted and Recovery has been presented to the world; but does it succeed at accomplishing what it set out to do?
1. Cold Wind Blows: After a quick intro announcing that he’s back, Em’ starts the CD over a methodical beat from Just Blaze (While not on this song, the combo of Just and Em’ together later proves to be exciting as it sounds). The lyrics are aggressive, and filled with the type of inappropriate references we’ve come to know and love from Slim. All in all it’s a solid song, but not a tonally appropriate song to start the album off with. 7/10.
2. Talkin’ 2 Myself: Now this is more like it. Why this wasn’t chosen to start the album I’ll never know, but this is the opening track the album deserved. The beat, by DJ Khalil (A surprise consistent contributor to the album) is mediocre and busy, but it is dynamic and reaches emotional crescendos, so it fits the lyrics well. This song has gotten coverage because Eminem admits, in the first verse, to being on the verge of attacking Lil Wayne and Kanye West out of pure jealousy. This plays in to the theme of the track, to chronicle how Em’s drug troubles made him hit rock bottom musically; it serves as an apology of sorts, and Em’ fittingly ends the song by saying “I’m Back”. 8/10
3. On Fire: The less said about this song the better, it is one of the worst tracks on the album. The beat is solid, but not memorable. Eminem is taking aim at critics on this song, but this doesn’t really make sense since Em’ spends the rest of the album admitting that his recent work has in fact been poor. Filler Track. 3/10
4. Won’t Back Down: DJ Khalil is back with another mediocre beat that, once again, is redeemed by being in perfect symmetry with the lyrics. This song has been covered largely because the surprise guest star, Pink; but when all is said and done she adds little to the song. Em’, by contrast, is on point here. The energy of his verses are palpable and Slim is at his absolute wittiest. If you actually listen close you’ll be sure to get a few laughs out of this enjoyable track. 8/10
5. W.T.P.: This track is in close contention with On Fire for worst song on the album. The beat is kind of catchy and the concept kind of witty (W.T.P. stands for White Trash Party), but all in all there is nothing worth coming back to on this track. 4/10.
6. Going Through Changes: The first 5 songs of Recovery are admittedly disappointing when seen as a whole, almost as if Eminem still needed to find his footing after Relapse; this track serves as the launching point for when the album truly takes off. An infectious beat by underrated producer Emile (the track samples ‘Changes’ by Ozzy Ousbourne) provides the backdrop for Eminem to go off and honest about his rock bottom moments dealing with both his addiction and the death of his best friend, Proof. The track has an epilogue of sorts in the form of an uplifting fourth verse. Listen for yourself, this song is honest Eminem at his finest. 9.5/10
7. Not Afraid: If you’re reading this review you’ve most likely heard this song. The beat is by up and comer Boi-1-Da, most well known until now for ‘Best I Ever Had’ and ‘Over’ by Drake. The song is uplifting and triumphant, a perfect single for the new Eminem. 9/10
8. Seduction: Boi-1-Da is once again producing, he provides a moody but unmemorable beat. The song is a not so subtle dig at Nick Cannon. It’s funny, but it’s nothing special. 6/10
9. No Love: Eminem and Lil Wayne together, with Just Blaze producing; you can’t get much more star power then that. Thankfully, the song lives up to the hype. The sample is from Haddaway’s ‘What is Love”, made most famous by SNL’s Night at the Roxbury. Surprisingly, this upbeat dance song is sampled into a moody and dynamic beat in a way only Just Blaze could pull off. Em’ and Wayne both provide long verses here, but it’s Em’ who steals the stage with a passionate and witty rant against everyone who gave up on him. Better hope you like this song because it’s going to be everywhere all summer. 9/10
10. Space Bound: The first of several love affair themed songs on the album is produced by one of the most popular producers out their right now, Jim Jonsin. The guitar based beat is unique and provides a perfectly intimate backdrop for this deeply personal song, something more akin to country music then rap. Eminem raps and sings about a lustful but painfully unsustainable relationship, all the way up to a violent climax. This track proves to be hauntingly affecting, one of the most memorable tracks by Em in years. 9/10
11. Cinderella Man: This is a pump up track in the same vein of older Em’ tracks like ‘Till You Collapse and even Lose Yourself. The clap heavy beat meshes well With Em’s ra ra lyrics, and the song works as a whole. Nothing too memorable though. 7/10.
12. 25 to Life: DJ Khalil once again produces on a track that is mistakenly being called a repeat of Space Bound’s content; a fact that shows how lazy many professional reviewers are since the song is clearly using an affair as a metaphor for Em’s relationship with hip-hop, he even goes as far as to directly reference hip-hop by name. This disappointing fact aside, the song is a success. The slow beat and haunting chorus provide a perfect backdrop for Em’s tragic relationship with the music he loves, but that never seems to return that love. Of the slow emotional songs this one probably sticks out the least, but it’s still a success. 8/10.
13. So Bad: We weren’t going to make it all the way through without a Dre beat, it is an Eminem album after all. Said beat is catchy, and Eminem does a solid job, but the lyrics and subject matter don’t really stand out. 6/10
14. Almost Famous: DJ Khalil is back for one more, and this is his best contribution to the album. This pounding beat is merged with a haunting chorus to give Em space to rap about his violent path towards fame. Creepy but effective song. 8/10
15. Love The Way You Lie: I can’t say enough about this song. The pitch perfect piano and guitar beat is done by Alex Da Kid, I’d never heard of him until now but I’ll most certainly be keeping an eye out for him in the future. The song centers around Eminem’s abusive but endlessly love filled and maddening relationship with his on again off again wife, Kim. This makes it all the more impressive that Rihanna of all people agreed to do the chorus, and she kills it. Eminem is at his emotional, introspective best when trying to sum up the his impossibly complicated love hate relationship. This song is emotional, energetic, and poignant; you won’t be able to get it out of your head. 10/10
16. You’re Never Over: Just Blaze provides a mediocre beat here, not bad but nothing up to Just’s standards. This song sticks out because it is Eminem’s tribute to his fallen friend, Proof. Eminem’s verses are perfect; emotional, honest, and uplifting. It’ is dragged down however by Eminem attempting to hold notes that he’s nowhere near capable of holding on the chorus. This track is sullied by an irritating hook and a mediocre beat, but the verses make the song impossible to pass by. It’s just a shame that such poignant lyrics were given such weak surroundings. 7.5/10
17. Many usually feel that their album should end on an emotional note, but after an entire album of vulnerability and honestly, it’s only right that Eminem reminds the world that he’s still out to get ‘em in classic Slim Shady fashion. An odd, catchy beat by Havoc gives Em space to go off, and go off he does. The lyrics are aggressive and filled with witty references and puns. This is an energetic and confident note for Eminem to go out on, a perfect Slim Shady outro. While it was annoying that Eminem started the album with a Shady track, the same concept proves to fit much better as a finishing note. 9/10
The album has a few missteps and filler tracks. The structure of the album makes for a opening third that does not grab the listener’s attention, and without Dre at the helm there are a few more dud beats then one might hope for; Em’ also seems to not yet understand the limits of his singing ability and this tarnishes a few of the hooks. Luckily Em’s lyrical ability, witty sense of humor and devastating honesty rise above these speed bumps.
When all is said and done, this is the Eminem album fans were waiting for. It’s a dangerous thing, for a succesful artist to get clean; some artists, such as John Coltrane, found that there music actually lost it’s soul when sober; but with Recovery, Eminem triumphantly proves that he’s back and ready to take the world by storm again. Sobriety has brought Eminem a clear mind and a sense of direction; and if Recovery is any sign, our music collections will be better off for it. 9/10