Review: Eminem – Relapse
Eminem – Relapse (2009) [Aftermath/Interscope] // Grade: D+
It’s 2009 and not likely that the real Slim Shady is ever going to stand up again, so when I sat down to listen to Marshall’s latest offering (and first in almost five years) I’ll admit that my expectations were set pretty low. The only track I had found enjoyable and worth listening to more than once was “Crack A Bottle” and it wasn’t even a solo effort. Would this album join the ranks of Encore, a solemn reminder that even the best of the best fall prey to success?
While listening to Relapse, I thought about Em’s career and why it continues to nosedive instead of resurrecting with an album on the level of say The Blueprint. Songs like “3am” and “My Mom” feel like he’s trying to reinvent the wheel and set the album off on a relatively flat note. It really isn’t until the last half of this album that Eminem really starts to deliver anything worth keeping on repeat until you decide to download a leaked copy of Blackout 2. Coincidentally, the best tracks on Relapse are blessed by Dre, particularly “Old Times Sake” and the aforementioned “Crack A Bottle.” The Doctor definitely seems to still have what it takes, so will Detox just come out already?!
Will Eminem ever record another album with the impact of his mainstream debut The Slim Shady LP or it’s follow-up The Marshall Mathers LP? Probably not. At this point in his career, he’ll never be able to make everyone happy, which may be why Relapse fails to rise above the level of mediocracy that seems to keep the mainstream content. It would take a leap of blind faith into the deep end for Eminem to ever record a convincing follow-up to The Slim Shady LP, and I’m talking about some real weirdo Kool Keith conceptual shit. Until then, expect boogie man raps and song about pills, pussy & paraplegics.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
“Guess who’s back? Miss me?” Not really, dude.
I just got finished listening to Relapse at work and I felt the same way as you, Mike. There’s no doubt he’s still a super talented MC and can make shit rhyme most people wouldn’t think of, but it’s time to stop rapping about the same shit from your first album. Still killing people with chainsaws and hating on your mom, eh? EH?
Besides “Crack a Bottle,” I thought “Bagpipes From Baghdad” was pretty awesome too.
May 19th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I liked a few songs on here, but I third the sentiments stated…. as a whole this one was just disappointing.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I was not feelin’ “Bagpipes from Baghdad”, but yeah, I feel like if he’s gonna do the Slim Shady routine, it should really be a focused effort on the level of an entire concept album. My Pal the Crook also pointed out that lyrically he’s not as creative when rapping in the voice of Slim Shady. Whereas The Slim Shady LP had a very tongue in cheek approach to dealing with it’s demented subject matter, Relapse feels forced, as though Em is TRYING to offend and not just come across as a natural wise-ass.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
As a whole album I dig it. If this would have been his first album it would have been more accepted but it’s not and you guys just expect him to live up to something. Yes he might of been a bit forced but fruck, it’s still Em and it’s fun!
May 19th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Getting through this album is anything but fun.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Ease,
Sometimes you have the worst taste.
If this had been his first album, maybe a fraction of the people that actually respect Eminem would give a shit. Slim Shady LP was on some next level shit that mattered when it came out and still matters now. Relapse is waiting to find it’s way into the used dollar bin rack at local music stores across the US.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I’ve officially bought my last Mishka article of clothing. You just sound aggy cause Shady LTD. makes better looking clothes than you guys. Oh and Mishka, give it up already with the bear mops, teal and monsters… it just “feels forced.”
May 19th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
^^^ Jones are you taking these notes down??
May 19th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
if i saw a guy wearing a shady LTD article of clothing id take off my sean john shoe and take pleasure in hurting his insides with it. ahaha wtf
May 20th, 2009 at 12:41 am
You mean you’ve bought your last Mishka until Marshalls starts carrying them.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
What a bummer.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
This album sounds aggravating when trying to analyze it in a sober mind state.
Try drinking a couple of 40′s then smoke a blunt and forget who Eminem is, you might start to dig it…until you sober up again.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Fucking wigger.
June 19th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
anyone else hear the BBC interview with eminem when he was saying his new album wasnt released early? that only makes this so much worse