Oh wait, now way, you’re kidding. He didn’t just say what I think he did he?
Eminem is back (back again). Let me preemptively admit that I grew up a huge Eminem fan, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do my best to honestly critique his music. I can admit for instance that Encore was not a good album. I can also admit that while Eminem Show was a damn good album, it was essentially the Marshall Mathers LP, done slightly differently. And while people who are Eminem lover’s routinely hold on to the Slim Shady LP as the best, as a fan of his better lyrical days, and smoother delivery, I often keep the Slim Shady LP out of the top spot. It’s very good, but had that been the only album Eminem released, you wouldn’t even be talking about it today. No, for me, the obvious choice of Eminem at his best was the Marshall Mathers LP. Had Eminem died after the Marshall Mathers LP, there probably wouldn’t be hipster debates over whether he should be considered in the top 5 of all time. I often make NBA metaphors for everything, and when I thought about Eminem’s career and where it should stand, the person I think of most is a player who had the complete opposite impact on audiences, in terms of making noise. But when you look at their ebb and flows, I really see a comparison to Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan did so well for so long, you almost forget how good he initially seemed. And much like Eminem, Tim Duncan seemed to have his career winding down, only to find a surprising second wind. So Marshall Mathers LP is Eminem in his prime, winning four championships, then the successor to be released tomorrow draws great comparisons to Tim Duncans 2012-2013 season.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is Eminem’s most complete album. This is not to be confused with the term “best” or “top”. But it is his most wholehearted effort among all his albums. When you first listen to the truly full lengthed album you realize this guy is doing everything he can. Thanks in large part to Rick Ruben, the man behind everything that is great about hip-hop since its birth, the production value on this album is unmatched in comparison to his previous releases. There’s a flow, a theme, a certain structure given to this album, that sounds less like the paint by studio numbers the Eminem Show seemed to have, and instead gives it a more thematic feel. Full bodied instrumentals is not something we’re used to hearing Eminem on, but just the same it works rather well. Far from the best song on the album, So Far… is probably the most impressive production work as Rubin jumps around two samples and even transits into two Eminem classics seamlessly for what turns out to just be a fun track. And that sort of unique, yet fitting sound continues on tracks like Love Game, which secretly hides some awesome bars from Kendrick and Eminem in sugar coated melodies and an easy listening hook. From top to bottom this album is enjoyable to listen to. But just enjoyable wouldn’t mean it was noteworthy.
Headlights. The penultimate track on the album is the song that makes the album necessary. Sure Legacy is great, and Rhyme and Reason is infectious, but Headlights is Eminem’s final fade away shot. When this song first comes on it’s unassuming with a hook from the lead singer of Fun., but as the first verse opens you realize you’re in for something special. As I’m sure a lot of Eminem fans can attest to, I related heavily to his first few albums, for the simple fact that I hated my parents (Didn’t we all, some for better reasons than others). When I was younger they were getting a divorce. But over the years, my hate has dissipated and turned into a completely different feeling. One that makes any notion of judgment towards their parenting skills moot. Because I realized, especially with my mom, that they did their best, and that life is finite and fragile, and now all I ever want is to see them happy for once. And while Eminem stayed entertaining on Eminem Show, et al; he never turned that corner. It went from relatable to tiresome (we get it, you hate your mom). But this song. This song is true growth. I don’t wish to spoil it, so I’ll just say this song single handily makes the album. And with that the album is great
If Eminem made a career by telling us how much he didn’t give a fuck, then he’s slowly ending it, by showing us how much he actually does care. Through out this album he gets extremely meta when he debates within his own verses his effect on the world by saying the things he did, and his hypocrisy, as he openly admits he wouldn’t let anyone talk to his own daughters the same way. If Slim Shady is the result of a drug problem and a troubled youth this album is the necessary closure to those issues for Marshall Mathers. Not all the questions get answered, and no this isn’t his best album ever, but in my rankings it’s quickly cemented at number 2, just behind it’s predecessor. Much like Tim Duncan a year ago, who came 28 seconds shy of a 5th title, it may not have been his most dominating performance, but it is his most inspiring, because he was still able to surprise us with how good he could be and still show us why we were ever impressed with him in the first place.
9.3/10 – Go buy this album
Oh and final note, when I first heard Rap God, I assumed we would never hear him do it live as it seems like it would be impossible. Well I was absolutely wrong. This is just flat impressive:
About Matt Cargile
Matt Cargile is the Editor in Chief of rookerville.com. He also works in finance, but refuses to read any news printed on pink paper. He is a child at heart with adult means. His childhood dream was to either become a magician or the leader of the next great empire and somehow both these things make complete sense. He's contradictory in nature, but is always consistent.
- Web |
- More Posts (113)