Click album cover for link to purchase from Amazon
Original Release Date: June 21, 2010
1. Cold Wind Blows
2. Talkin' 2 Myself
3. On Fire
4. Won't Back Down
5. W.T.P.
6. Going Through Changes
7. Not Afraid
8. Seduction
9. No Love
10. Space Bound
11. Cinderella Man
12. 25 To Life
13. So Bad
14. Almost Famous
15. Love The Way You Lie
16. You're Never Over
17. Untitled
If you were to tell me a few years ago that I would like the music made by Eminem, I probably would've laughed... hard. But with this most recent release by Detroit rapper I have found a new respect for the artist following his release from rehab. Last year "Shady" showed the world that he had matured a lot since his first album (Slim Shady LP) following a release from rehab for pill addiction. This album is no different. No more are their childish lyrics intended to have the listener laugh and dance along at a party or in their car, while older generations chastise for the vulgar lyrics and crude plot lines about murder, drugs, and kidnapping.
While Relapse did have similar themes about murder (the song "3 A.M.") the overall tone of the song, as well as the album, seem to face the inner demons of the artist that is carried out by his dark lyrics and emotional songs ("Beautiful"). This recent release follows along with similar themes, but seem to take on an even more personal tone with songs like "Not Afraid" and "Talkin 2 Myself".
This review maybe somewhat outside of my element, as I mainly listen to electronic music (Dub Step and Trance) and Heavy Rock (Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, and Operatic Metal), yet I feel that this album is a must have for anyone that is going through a tough time, or even if you have lived through a rough time. Many of the songs you will find yourself not only enjoying the beats and "darker" tones of the bass line, but also identifying with the lyrics talking about hardships of life and going through rehab of Eminem.
The song "Won't Back Down" is also featured on the upcoming game Call of Duty: Black Ops [Scheduled to release November 11, 2010 (something that I am excited for)]
See the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrQOcE_osjE&
Songs to listen to: "Love the Way You Lie (Ft. Rhianna)" "Won't Back Down", and "On Fire"
Overall Rating: (laserp5)(laserp5)(laserp5)(laserp5) Four P5s out of Five
