Release Date: 6/22/2010

Aftermath/Interscope

Marshall Bruce Mathers has it hard as an artist. He came out and raised the bar lyrically. He has won the hearts and respect of countless rap fans, but there’s always been something that’s prevented him from completely hitting the bulls-eye as far as his albums are concerned. His addiction spun out of control and led him putting out Encore (2004), which was nonsensical, even for him. 2009’s Relapse (mostly produced by mentor and label boss Dr. Dre) was supposed to get us back hooked on the Shady narcotic, but it only got the side eye from most of us because of that God-awful accent. Broken but unbowed, he went back to the lab and refocused for this year’s Recovery. How did he do? Let’s put on our headphones and press play:

1. Cold Wind Blows –Most of the Aftermath releases in recent time do not include intros and skits, with Relapse being the exception to this rule. This time, he allows Marshall to get down to business, and he hasn’t sounded this focused since “The Eminem Show.”

2. Talking 2 Myself (Ft. Kobe) – I’ve seen this Kobe cat featured on a few hooks in the past couple days, due to his association with DJ Khalil, and I’m hoping he gets more work, because he’s really effective here. Em talks about how his road back to the old him, and how he almost went at the guys who took over the game in his absence (Ye, Wayne, etc), but only out of jealousy, and takes a bite of humble pie in the process (“I’da got my ass handed to me, and I knew it.”). That line about the last two albums not counting, however, is bullshit. You put ‘em out, they’re fair game.

3. On Fire – Aside from the self-described “bullshit hook,” this is Slim spitting fire at cynics and critics. At this point, you’re only on track three and you’ve ran portions of each track back a couple and shook your head in disbelief. Mr. Porter goes in on his boom-bap ish just enough, leaving Em enough sonic space to doing what he needs to do.

4. Won’t Back Down (Ft. Pink) – DJ Khalil again with a rock-tinged piece that challenges Slim to come with a different flow how does he do? Let’s just say it sounds like he waltzed around the booth with lines like, “Girl, shake that ass like a donkey with Parkinsons/make like Michael J. Fox in ya draws, playing with an Etch-A-Sketch…” No one else could lace this track. Pink on the hook was borderline genius as this is totally her brand of music.

5. W.T.P – “Man even my dentist hates it when I floss.” I LOL’d at that…sounds like this guy got out the house and partied around…Michigan, with his white trash buddies. He hops out of his Pinto like it’s a Bentley and acts white and trashy! Unfortunately, this may be skippable after a few spins to absorb the hilarious bars.

6. Going Through Changes – So, for all of you that were wishing that Em would do more serious material like “Lose Yourself” and “Cleaning Out My Closet,” your wish was granted here. This is probably the most honest and clear he’s ever been, discussing his addiction/recovery, his family and his best friend.

7. Not Afraid – The first single…Boi-1da is becoming my favorite producer of the moment (That is, if these bootleg credits are correct). “The last ‘Relapse’ CD was eeehhh…” Good he said it, so the rest of the internet can shut the hell up! This track is great, because it shows us that he’s truly back as a person and artist, and better than he was before.

8. Seduction – Again Boi-1da is killing shit. So, this time he’s telling his “competitor” that he’s not as good as he is, and said competitor knows it, as he verbally seduces his girlfriend.

9. No Love (ft. Lil’ Wayne) – Weezy kicks off this number, sounding more like Drake than himself. Not that it’s ineffective, but Em isn’t outshined, or even matched here. Just Blaze took Haddaway’s “What Is Love?” and went South with it.

10. Space Bound – An honest approach at love, from beginning to end, from someone who’s been hurt before, as most people have. This is relatable, until he kills himself. Whoa. Nice acoustic instrumental though…

11. Cinderella Man – Conceptually following the movie of the same name. Sonically and lyrically, this could’ve been “Til I Collapse, Part 2.” He remains in top form. The beat is minimal, but nice. The marching drum track paces the song.

12. 25 to Life – A breakup song about his relationship with his “woman.” Over this drab beat, he breaks up with Hip-Hop. Oh yeah? We don’t believe you. You need more people.

13. So Bad – The track by Dr. Dre & Nick Brongers doesn’t stand out in comparison to the other work here. Maybe it fit in better with the rest of the “Relapse 2” material. Sounds like I’m making excuses, doesn’t it? All I know is, if “Detox” isn’t an audio Avatar, I’m done with Andre Young, and I’m his biggest fan, easy.

14. Almost Famous – Productionwise, one word – Khalil. He displays some of his most varied and three-dimensional work on this album. Lyrically, you’re going to rewind the second verse about three times. I can’t quote a bar, I’d need to quote the whole thing, and I don’t have that much space.

15. Love the Way You Lie (Ft. Rihanna) – The radio’s going to eat this one up. Great song. An insightful track about the ups and downs of his on-off relationship with his ex-wife. Alex da Kid provides a nice backdrop here.

16. You’re Never Over – The official conclusion of the album, and the first real Shady dedication to fallen D12 member Proof. Just Blaze provides a triumphant synth-heavy track, as Em gives an emotional tribute to his best friend.

17. Untitled (Bonus Track) – Eminem + Havoc = Rap fans wetting their pants everywhere.

Conclusion: So, Shady’s back for real this time, presenting us with the most important album of his career. Relapse wasn’t as bad as these internet dummies make it seem, but, given his work here, it’ll still wollow down there with Encore when it’s all said and done. It’s just that we’ve given him a lot of credit for raising the bar for MCs, and to whom much is given, much is required. Recovery is symbolic beyond as it shows that he’s truly returned to form as an artist, sounding refreshed and concise on every track and he did it without the shock-rap antics. I seriously doubt that anything else this year will remove this album from the “Best of 2010” list.

-Reg Young

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This is WHAT’S IN MY HEADPHONES…