CD review: Relapse - Eminem

BY CHRIS SCHULZ
Last updated 11:36 18/05/2009
BACK TO HIS BEST: Relapse finds Eminem returning to his controversial best.

Related Links

Eminem spoofs celebs in new song Eminem left music because of drugs

Relevant offers

Album reviews

Album review: Lana Del Rey Review: Amy Winehouse - Lioness CD review: Torches - Foster the People CD review: Gold Cobra - Limp Bizkit CD review: Cults - Cults CD review: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two - Beastie Boys CD review: Man on Wire - PNC CD review: Mine Is Yours - Cold War Kids CD review: Wasting Light - Foo Fighters CD review: Blood Pressures - The Kills


A failed reconciliation with his ex-wife. A public falling out with his mum. The murder of his best friend, D12 rapper Proof. Rumours about weight issues. And - to top it all off - an addiction to painkillers.

It's fair to say Eminem's had a busy five years since the release of his last album, and he wasn't making much music. The world's best white rapper instead spent his time away from the limelight restocking his closet with as many skeletons as he could find.

It may not have been a pleasant experience for him, but musically it's definitely an inspiring one.

Relapse - his first studio album since 2004's jaded and lacklustre Encore - finds Eminem back to his comically controversial and fiendishly fiery best.

Much of that is thanks to the fact that he's cleaning out his closet again, and it doesn't take long for the rapper also known as Slim Shady to splash around some gasoline and throw a match on those skeletons.

"My mum loves Valium and lots of drugs. That's why I am like I am cause I’m like her," Eminem sings on My Mom, the album's second track that instantly addresses that drug addiction. Thanks, mum.

Then there's Medicine Ball, the album's most triumphant moment which finds the fired-up rapper telling listeners, "It's time for you to hate me again," before shooting down the Pussycat Dolls, Madonna and late Superman star Christopher Reeve.

The album's instant appeal also comes from producer Dr Dre, who supplies some of his best beats in years. Check out the wired atmosphere on Stay Wide Awake, the Scottish-inspired Bagpipes from Baghdad and the loping grooves of Old Time's Sake for proof.

That frees Eminem up to focus on his lyrics, and there are plenty of great moments on Relapse. The murderous intonations of 3AM reference 2000 hit Stan, while the joyous celebrations of Crack a Bottle and drug-themed Hello are at the opposite end of the spectrum, but no less enjoyable.

The only misstep is first single We Made You, which sounds dangerously dated with its slating of fading celebs Jessica Simpson and Kim Kardashian. It's perhaps a reflection of the amount of time it's taken Eminem to make this album.

But with a follow-up slated for release later this year, Eminem hasn't been on form like this since 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP. It's a relapse of the very best kind.

Ad Feedback

* What did you think of Relapse? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

67 comments
Post a comment
Jesse   #67   02:01 am Jul 03 2009

You guys with nasty comments make me sick. Eminem is like my god, im not lieing about the sick part i was felling so disy i had to stop reading lol.

Bob   #66   03:34 am Jun 24 2009

After hearing "we made you" on the radio, I thought this was a desperate attempt to make it back to where he was, yet falling short with the rehashing of mediocre diss tracks that fail to live up to its predecessors.. But boy was I wrong.. This album has got to be up there with the likes of Slim shady LP, and the Eminem show.. I wont say quite the heights of the Marshal Mathers LP.. but songs like "De Ja Vu", "My Mom", "underground" and more are a return to the Brutally honest EM, who takes no prisoners in dishing out his life's frailties.. With some of the more creative and insanely comical yet real rhymes, its a refreshing change to the drone popish Rap we get these days, from the likes of Souljah boy & Flo Rida

cc   #65   05:18 am May 31 2009

eminem is great..i loved him since da first album "im Shady" im only 16 but i know rap when i hear it..

majestic   #64   08:57 pm May 28 2009

people should never judge a album based on sales. sales have nothing to do with a album being great. Sales only mean that the album is profitable. honestly i like all eminem`s albums but not because of sales. i would buy his music and bump it even if he wasn`t a multiplat rapper.thats with any music i like. i dont buy music because other people think its cool. i think for my self.

alisha   #63   12:14 pm May 27 2009

3am is an awesome track....if u listen to the words and can follow the song the stuff he says is hilarious/a tad insanse but that's him and that is why he has come so far with his music career, he rappers about stuff that not alot of other rappers would dare to. to everyone who are saying he sounds the same and he hasn't changed. why would he that's his whole technique

rfiction   #62   06:17 am May 24 2009

Em needs to keep doing his antics till he's 80. It would be sweet to listen to some crippled old ass Em still slamming on everyone. His craft of storytelling is top notch. It's like watching a horror film like SAW, you just can't turn it off cause you wanna know what's next. Don't hate to love the gimmic.

lct   #61   02:59 am May 21 2009

the album is dope no one else in hip hop is making anything like this and i don't think this is anything like his other albums.. his wordplay and the way he stretches and twists his lyrics is crazy straight genius only true hip hop fans and people who actually rap and write would understand how good this is

Brett Dale   #60   10:21 am May 20 2009

Thank you for winning me a five dollar bet, and confirming my beliefs about New Zealand music critics.

There are certain artists that you cant give bad reviews too, Eminem is one of them.

It was just his usual self absorb tripe with no real heart or soul, what do you expect from someone who has hired the same image consulting firm as Britney Spears.

Please Chris, can yuo also review albums from Kate Perry, Anika Moa, Robbie Williams and U2, I would like to win another five dollars.

Slimcozy{Abdallah]   #59   04:21 am May 20 2009

Please u should listen to 'same song and dance'cuz is one of the best song in relapse,and em this is a gr8 album,the words and vocal r ryt on point, thanks.

Rap Fan   #58   08:02 pm May 19 2009

No excuse,

This is simply a terrible album. I don't know how many magazines, interscope paid in order to get them to co-sign this album. Maybe, journalists don't have the balls to tell it like it is. Maybe, people are too afraid of that whole Vibe best alive thing. Well, most hip hop heads over the age of 25 in NYC and Chi-town are not cosigning this weak sellout attempt at a comeback.

Q-Tip, great comeback. Amazing album. No gimmicks, amazing beats.

Eminem, still using the same gimmick, which he should have retired. This album is a 2 out out of 4 star album.

Everyone knows he is talented. But, im not going to love an album, just because it is Em.

Ricky Recardo: Vibe you got some splainin to do....


Show 8-57 of 67 comments

Post comment


Required

Required. Will not be published.
Registration is not required to post a comment but if you , you will not have to enter your details each time you comment. Registered members also have access to extra features. Create an account now.


Maximum of 1750 characters (about 300 words)

I have read and accepted the terms and conditions
These comments are moderated. Your comment, if approved, may not appear immediately. Please direct any queries about comment moderation to the Opinion Editor at blogs@stuff.co.nz
Special offers

Featured Promotions

Sponsored Content