He's back, and better than ever

First off, I'd like to say I'm glad Em's back. The music world was getting a bit boring without him. As the rapper who 3 1/2 years ago put out "The Slim Shady LP", I'll have to say, Marshall Mathers, aka Slim Shady, aka Eminem has grown, and is ready to take on the rest of the world.

Honestly, this album, I believe is great not because of the music or style, but the raw emotion he expresses on damn near every track. "The Slim Shady LP" was our introduction to the crazy, in-your-face character that we know as...well, Slim Shady. "The Marshall Mathers LP" introduced us to a new, controversial, side of Shady, speaking his mind and poking fun at everything that moved. Now, "The Eminem Show" introduces us to Marshall, the real person, and Eminem, the recording artist, and what his life is TRULY all about.

Starting off the album is a guitar-driven track full of probably the most raw emotion expressed on the album, "White America". Though, at times controversial, it is no doubt Shady striking back at those who oppose him and his thoughts on his popularity due to his skin-color, and how he feels that the lines should be broken, and how he feels America restrains itself too much from the real world. The next track, "Business", is classic Dre-produced material, and Eminem only seems at home on this track. The fun beat and interesting twist on Batman and Robin only complement it's overall listening ability. Yet, on the next track, "cleaning Out my Closet", the mood switches from fun to very serious, when Em strikes out at his mother, and lays down a very emotionally memorable performance, equalling that of "The Way I Am", on his last album. Next up is probably one of my favorite tracks, "Square Dance", with no doubt one of the best lyrical outputs we've heard from Em in a long time. Here's a sample:
"psychotic, hypnotic product/ I got it the antibiotic/ ain't nobody hotter/ and so on and yada yada/ God I talk alotta hem de lay la la la/ ochie walla walla um da dah da dah but ya gotta gotta"
It also takes shots at Canibus, which could only hope to spark a new lyrical battle between rappers that has become common these days. The next musical track(#6 is a skit), is "Soldier", which by name sounds like something out of a Master P/No Limit album, but ultimately comes off like more of a Tupac influenced track, and is overall very enjoyable. Next is "Sayin Goodbye to Hollywood", which I really like. It is basically about Em and how he's fed up with showbiz and being a celebrity, and we could only hope that it isn't a premonition for future events.

"Drips" is next, and at first, I didn't enjoy it as much, but after another listen, I admired Obie Trice's lyrical skill, and I also applaude them addressing the topic of unprotected sex, which is commonplace in the music business nowadays. Next, which I'm sure you've all heard, is "Without Me". This, I believe, is probably the best of Eminem's "pop" singles, which include "The Real Slim Shady", as well as "My Name is..", and I feel Eminem definitely will sell albums behind the power of this lead single. The next song is "Sing For The Moment", which uses an Aerosmith sample, and addresses Shady's take on the troubled youth of America, and he ultimately hits home with his lyrics, and I believe many will be able to relate to his lyrics, and his ideas on how music is blown out of proportion. Next is "Superman", which no doubt has probably the best beat on the album, and is somewhat of a sequel to "Pimp Like Me" on the D12 album put out last year. It's basically Slim getting out on his own after his hugely publicized divorce, and vowing to never trust a woman again, and taking somewhat of a fun approach to it all.

Next, is definitely going to be a very hard track for die hard rap fans to like, because Em actually sings in his ode to his daughter, "Hailie's Song". Honestly, I love this song, because it truly shows a side of Em never seen before, a vulnerable and sensitive side, which definitely is a different step, and even though he's not the greatest singer, who is? The definite emotions expressed in this song, are truly something to behold, because Em claims he is finally "happy", and he states that he can't sing, and that it's the real feelings that matter. Next, is no doubt an original D12 track, with each talented member trading shots on their thoughts of being role models. "Say What You Say" is next, and Dre appears and takes hard hitting shots at Jermaine Dupri, and gets it all out into the open, welcoming any beef J.D.'s got with Dre and Timbaland. Em yet again attacks Canibus, and further beats him to the ground.

Next, is "Till I Collapse" with Nate Dogg, and I believe this is also one of the strongest tracks on the album. Em gets out pent up aggression and places himself on a list of rap's best, and Nate Dogg releases a truly unforgettable hook for a song somewhere along the lines of rap's "We Will Rock You". "I Think My Dad's Gone Crazy" features Em's infamous daughter Hailie and is overall a very funny and listenable track. And yes, Ken Kaniff appears yet again on the outro.

Overall, this album showcases Em's newfound lyrical abilities, and gives him a chance to show a side he's never shown before. As long as Em stays true to himself and stays the crazy, unpredictable Shady we all love to hate, there is no doubt we can expect an album of quality material every time. Hats off to you Slim, Marshall, Em...whoever you are. You've created a classic.