If there were any doubt, you need not go further than the first song on this set to establish the fact that Eminem can still rap his ass off. He’s rarely as great as he once was; his last classic verse was probably from 2011’s BET Cypher; but this title track, which consists of one long verse over a sparse rock beat, trumps all of his pop peers. That includes his own artists, which Shady XV; a very needless 15-year Shady Records celebration; is designed to showcase.
The concept is reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s History; one half new songs, one half old songs; though that comes via an awkward 12/15 split. I also question the oddly-sequenced tracklist, which, as far as the old songs go, ignores whole albums; namely every Eminem solo; in favor of double dips. The new songs also miss the mark musically. Eminem peaks early with that first song. The rest represents his label for all the mediocrity its released over the years.
The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, Devil’s Night, Relapse; all good albums. Most of the rest are just okay. So while Eminem remains my favorite rapper, it has little to do with albums or songs. My Band and Purple Pills are funny, but the new “D-12” song, which doesn’t even feature Em, is a joke. There are solid beats here, but no noteworthy hooks. Skylar Grey and Kobe are seemingly talentless. He should stop featuring them on his songs.
Not that Sia does any better. Shady foolishly bashes his own We Made You single, from his aforementioned Relapse album, but that song, at least the beat and chorus, trumps everything (new) here. I’ll say for the third time that the Shady XV theme track is a lyrical triumph, but the self-proclaimed Rap God is generally rapping too fast these days. His new verbose style, which crams so many words in a verse that it often makes him sound off-beat, is annoying.
my rating : 3 of 5
2014
No. Just, no. That album was a mess beyond maybe “Same Song and Dance” and I absolutely don’t understand why people keep praising that album.
I haven’t heard all this album yet, just a few songs which I’ve liked. I just want to comment on the final comment of yours about Eminem rapping too fast and cramming words that take him off beat.
I totally agree. On multiple books, articles, interviews I’ve read over the years, one thing that has stuck to me was he (eminem) mentioned how he used to rap real fast and try to fit as many punch lines as he could into a verse and song. But it wasn’t until he got picked up by Dr.Dre that he told eminem to “slow down” and make his verses flow. I respect his talented one-of-a-kind writting and ability to tongue-twist his metaphors to the point its almost impossible to mimmick, but I feel the absense of flow in his rhymes that Dr.Dre once taught him. Some times like he didn’t even write to the beat. eg. of great flow Drug Ballad. (don’t expect him to write the same type of lyrics obv.)
I don’t know if he feels like he still needs to prove he’s the “best” or whatever, but he doesn’t. Personally, I’d like to hear him slow it down, find that beat to flow to, and instead of fitting as many punch lines and metaphors he can in a bar, build them up and nail the best punch lines on the head. Then throw his fast, tongue twisting, verbal abuse like he has now at the climax or bridge of songs to show his amazing versatility.
But for now, I’ll still without-a-question buy what he’s putting out these days cause simply put, he’s amazing and a rarity to the music/rap business. And the people he has on his label deserve the attention that they are fortunate to be getting, that they otherwise probably wouldn’t be getting if not on the label. All very emotional and talented in their writing.
The newest Cypher out, all sick, but especially love Yelawolf’s part. And his song ‘Catfish Billy’, couldn’t imagine being in the studio while he recorded that.
Slaughterhouse’s “welcome to:Our House” is an awesome album, I like so many of the songs on that. Crooked I’s verse on ‘Frat House’ kills me everytime I hear it. So can’t wait to hear what they got to tease us with on this album.
‘Hell: The Sequel’ was amazing in and out, down to the title of the album; spinning off of their ’99 song, em saying, “see you in hell for the sequel”. Put those two together, don’t think they can put out a “bad” song.
And last but not least, will always have respect and place in my heart for D-12, no matter what they do or don’t put out. Unfortunate to hear that eminem’s not on it, but will keep hoping the rumours of a new album or EP by them WITH eminem are true, and eventually does come out.
So overall, I like where he and his record company is going, means they’ll be around a while. And as Eminem continues to improve himself, I hope it goes in the way I mentioned earlier. I don’t expect this album to be amazing, but more of a look back at where it started, and a nice tease to what we should expect from the label in the future.