HHK's Review on Eminem's "Relapse"
Friday, June 5, 2009
There are very few fans of music that haven’t been anticipating Eminem’s Relapse album, which is his 6th solo effort and first of two albums this year. With a wave of less-than-amazing music in his absence, and news of a serious drug addiction, fans have been eagerly speculating what another Eminem album would sound like.
Considering this is his first studio album in roughly five years, Em returns in rare lyrical form. Every line is immaculately delivered (despite his weird new accent) with an effort and hunger most rappers don’t even demonstrate on their debut recordings. Em’s vocals are supported by superb production, most of which is provided by the legendary Dr. Dre (Fun fact, it is said that Dre put his own project on hold to put all his attention on Relapse) who also delivers a couple verses.
The album is based on Eminem relapsing back in to is mentally-unstable alter ego Slim Shady. The main difference between Relapse and The Slim Shady LP of a decade ago, is that the content on relapse is far more disturbing and expressive of a psychopathic persona. Song topics range from being raped by his stepfather, to his mother crushing prescription drugs to put in his dinner as a child, to popping pills with Brittney Spears. Eminem has said that the album’s content is influenced heavily by his recent fascination with the psyche of a serial killer, as well as the drug addiction he recently suffered from.
The more you listen to this album, the more difficult it may seem to wait for Detox and Relapse 2. On your first listen, don’t be surprised if Shady manages to crawl under your skin with his lyrics. You will, however, become reacquainted with a style of lyricism that quickly reminds you of why Eminem is one of the greatest rappers of all time, in addition to being the best selling musical artist of the last decade.
- Chad a.k.a. Chaddington Bear
Music Analyst
Labels: chad, eminem, music analyst, relapse, review
