David Theiss

Producer(s): Dr. Dre (exec), Eminem, Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, Boi-1da, Denaun Porter, Emile, Havoc, Jim Jonsin, Alex da Kid

Release Date: June 22nd, 2010 (Internet Leak: June 7th, 2010)

Rarely does an artist release an album that makes its predecessor sound immediately insignificant.  ”Relapse,” Eminem’s first album after a 5 year hiatus by way of drug dependency, was billed as his comeback.  Upon it’s summer 2009 release, “Relapse” was head and shoulders better than his flaccid 2004 release “Encore,” so most people (including yours truly) were more than happy to lavish praise upon it.  Everything about it was improved from “Encore:” lyrics, production, subject matter, maturity.  Was it repetitive?  Absolutely.  But it was refreshing to have Eminem back and flashing signs of brilliance again – even if we had to put up with tired jabs at Kim Kardashian and Ellen Degenerous.

Well, throw that album out the window.  ”Recovery” is Eminem’s true comeback.  Within the first minute of the first track it’s completely evident: Eminem has stepped his game up to another level.  Lyrically, he’s on a rampage.  Not in the schtick-shock way that he’s been known to (repeatedly) turn to.  But instead, Eminem gets rid of every crutch he’s turned to in the past and just spits.  His mother is only mentioned in passing, gross out humor is all but gone, teen-pop icons almost entirely get a pass.  ”Recovery” is a serious record dealing with self-examination and all out ‘fuck you’ bravado.  If “Relapse” was an album dedicated to testing whether or not his rap muscle still worked, “Recovery” shows that not only does it work and work just fine, it’s in better shape than it’s ever been.

Em employs a few strange bedfellows, including Pink and Rihanna, whose cameos prove effective in varying degrees – the Rihanna track “Love the Way You Lie” has hit single written all over it (who’da thought?).  Pink isn’t as successful as “Won’t Back Down” is an aggressive rap/rock track that suffers from both its bloated length and the fact that it’s just too loud and assaulting on the ears.  Meanwhile, the 5 minute epic “No Love” featuring Lil Wayne is already proving to be a watershed moment for both artists (much better than the hollow “Drop the World”), and is certain to be a track bumped in car systems everywhere.  Eminem always knows how to finish an album, too.  The hidden track “Untitled” like “Underground” before it, is a throwback to the maniacal and scatterbrain Shady rants from albums past.

The album also benefits from Em’s decision to branch out with different producers other than his longtime partner Dr. Dre.  A song like “25 to Life” which suffers from an old and played out metaphor, gets lifted to an album highlight by an inventive beat.  Sonically, “Recovery” sounds new and refreshing and the absence of Dr. Dre’s repetitive horns and piano really allow Eminem to stand out on his own – not that he’s had any trouble ever doing that.

It’s not all great though.  While there isn’t nearly as much filler as previous outings, there are still a few tracks I could do without and long time Eminem fans are still pining for a Royce guest spot that is always rumored to be happening but never does.

So, where does “Recovery” rank in the Eminem collection?  Well, if you put “The Slim Shady LP” and “The Marshall Mathers LP” at 1 and 1A I think this release comes in right behind it.  It’s more focused and driven than “The Eminem Show” and leaps and bounds ahead of “Relapse.”  This is a record I can see propelling Eminem back into the mainstream of the hip-hop consciousness again like he was back in ’02 and ’03.  But instead of being a novelty shock act, he’s stepped out as a legit and seminal hip-hop artist.  He’s always claimed to be one of the greatest and now he’s cemented his place among the best in the game.  It’s a mature and defining record that shows so much promise for what lies ahead.

For the first time in a long time, the future for Eminem is bright.

Strongest Tracks: “Cold Wind Blows” and “No Love”

Weakest Tracks: “W.T.P.” and “Won’t Back Down”

My Grade: A-

The last bastion of the music I liked when I was fifteen is still alive. Eminem is probably the last artist from my adolescence that I can still listen to – and for that matter the only one that I still am passionately interested in. Eminem isn’t what he used to be but there’s little debate as to who the kings of rap are these days: Eminem and Jay-Z. That’s it. Lil Wayne is trying to get to the same stature as those two but still has a ways to go.

In the meantime, here is the new Eminem video for the song “Not Afraid” from his upcoming album “Recovery.” It’s a little strange, has a slightly dated Matrix vibe, and Eminem looks like he may have had plastic surgery (his face looks waaay smooth), but it’s still worth a look. I’m EAGERLY anticipating the album, check back for a review once it leaks.