Shady is back! I’m sure you already figured that out the moment you read my headline. However, I have to disappoint a few fans by saying Shady is NOT really back, but Eminem definitely IS back and on a whole new level! Recovery is the title of Eminems new CD and it hit shelves on June 21. Now, I have to admit, I have always been a HUGE eminem fan and so I was naturally a little iffy about this CD when it came to the artists I saw featured on it. Also, the CD only has one song produced by Dr. Dre and NO appearances from anyone on Eminems previous CDs. With that said, I instantly thought to myself, “what does he THINK he is doing?” Well, he knew damn well what he was doing because believe it or not, EVERY artist featured on the cd and every producer who worked on it, did a hell of a good job. I’m not a fan of Pink, Rihanna, Wayne, nor Kobe, but the parts they were given in the songs on Eminem's CD are actually very fitting. So in that area, I can honestly say I support Eminem's choices. Now, when it comes down to Eminem and what he does in this CD, it is an entirely different story. As you all remember, Eminem's last CD, Relapse, was full of a lot of humorous, offensive, and twisted rhymes by his alter ego (Slim Shady) that brought back past memories of the Eminem who would piss critics off. He even had an accent on his relapse cd to bring out the character of Slim Shady even more. Well, going back to the first sentence of this review, I am here to inform you that you will not find that on his new cd. Slim Shady is hardly present in ‘Recovery’ since Eminem decided to put his new album on a very serious note. So, for many fans who hated his last cd, you will love his new one. Sure, slim shady is still present in songs like W.T.P., So bad, and Cold Wind blows, but even those songs have great rhymes that make this cd one where you won’t be skipping tracks. Eminem touches on the more personal things taking place in his life and builds a new rhyme pattern with more metaphors than the average human can comprehend. Every rhyme is perfected on his new cd, and each song leaves you feeling completely satisfied with the production and topic choices for the album. Personally, I found every song has something very touching about it, so I will leave this review off with my personal opinion on each song.
1. Cold Wind Blows - I think this song was a great way to start the CD, because it kind of picks up where relapse left off which is why it mainly features slim shady. Just blaze did the production and it sounds like a Dre beat, so there is a lot to love about this one.
2. Talkin’ to Myself (feat. Kobe) – This is a very serious song with a surprisingly catchy hook from Kobe. Eminem touches on how he knows he slipped there for a while, and promises to keep strong for proof. (his friend who died in 2006) The song has many multi syllable rhymes and great points. He even gives props to rappers he almost dissed when he was on drugs. I’m definitely pleased with this one even though it does sound more like a radio hook.
3. On Fire – Not my favorite song on the album, but it still has a good point. It’s pretty much Eminems song to show his confidence is high now. He knows his rhymes are burying all other rhymes in the mainstream, and he lets it be known in this song by talking about how On Fire he is.
4. Won’t back Down (feat. Pink) – Well, I know what you’re thinking…PINK? Well, my reply to that is, I like it. She always seemed like a badass, so she and Eminem doing a song together seems fitting to me. The drums on the beat are a little loud though, so Eminem had to yell to be heard, but it’s still a fun song.
5. W.T.P. (white trash party) – This is a hilarious song if you understand Eminems joking side. For those of you who like Slim Shady, you will love this song. The rhymes are really good, and the hook is very catchy which is why I claimed this song is still not one to skip even if you don’t like shady.
6. Going Through Changes – DEFINITELY one of my favorite songs on the cd. This is as deep as Eminem has ever been (up until the last song on this cd). He goes as far to say he almost committed suicide and how his daughter Hailie is the only person who kept him alive. It talks about all of the dark times in his life and the 4th verse picks up on how he has finally recovered and is strong now. Also, the chorus on this song samples ozzys going through changes, so it worth a listen for even ozzy fans!
7. Not Afraid – We all know this song by now, and it is a great way to pick up from the ‘going through changes’ song. This song says “I’ve been through struggles like you and I overcame them, so you can too.” And it’s true. Life is hard, but if we hang in there, things get better, and I’m glad Eminem hung in there.
8. Seduction – not one of my favorites, but it has some double syllable rhymes again, so it’s definitely worth a listen. The song pretty much states how girls still flock him for his talent.
9. No Love (feat. Lil Wayne) – This song is an all out attempt by both Eminem and Lil Wayne to prove their abilities. I don’t much like Lil Wayne, but this song is good since he dropped the autotune and the whiney voice on it. What I love most about this song is the chorus. It samples the song ‘What is love’ by Haddaway!
10. Space Bound – This is probably my favorite song on the cd. The chorus is sung by some female artist that no one seems to know, and it is a very dramatic and deep one at that. I love it! Eminem shows a lot of vulnerability on this song and touches on his experiences of love and loss.
11. Cinderella Man – WOW! This song is totally like another till’ I collapse. It’s impossible to find a downside of this song. It pumps me up when I listen to it, and the chorus is very empowering. You can feel a lot of energy behind this song, that’s for sure.
12. 25 to life – This is another song that has an unknown female singer on the chorus, and it has a twist in it that I will let you find out for yourself. This song is another one of my favorites.
13. So Bad – Well, this here is the ONLY song Dre produced on the cd, so as you can imagine, the beat is great. It sounds like a slowed down version of the song ‘if I get locked up tonight’ that Eminem and Dre did a while back. It’s a good song, but it contains a hint of his accent he had on his last cd. Maybe Dre is the one who brings that out in him.
14. Almost Famous – You have not seen this much energy from Eminem in a long time. This is him going all out and just laying everything on the table. It goes in depth on how much talent he knows he has. He lets it be known his shoes can’t be filled.
15. Love the way you lie (feat. Rihanna) – This is going to be the BIG song from Recovery. Rihanna really makes you feel the sadness behind this song. A lot like a depiction of Kim and Eminems relationship. Rihanna portrays an abused girl and Eminem explains his side on how she always hurts him.
16. You’re Never Over – DAMN. This is as deep as things get. It’s a song dedicated to proof and is the best song I have ever heard dedicated to someone who has passed. Eminem sings on the hook, and it is very raw and annoying to some, but I love the fact eminem didn’t care. He put his entire soul into this song because proof was his other half. It’s great to finally see a song dedicated to him!
17. Bonus track – I will let you hear this one yourself.
Well, that about wraps up this review. Eminem has never done wrong on a CD in my opinion, but if you’re one to think he has done wrong on his previous work, I highly recommend Recovery. So on that note, hope to see you at Zia! Thanks for reading. :]
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