During the flashes when the artist born Marshall Mathers feels free of this critical gaze ... this surprise Christmas gift to diehard stans, Music to Be Murdered By - Side B, soars something brilliant.
Side B is not Eminem at his absolute best, but it’s substantial in the larger context of Hip Hop — and sure to keep Stans satisfied. Unfortunately for those praying on his (musical) downfall, you’ll have to keep holding your breath.
Eminem might be getting older but he’s not going gently – he’s sticking around to commit his time to verse, crying surprise until one day a real surprise might show up.
Truly, Side B is hard to unpack. The very fact that it’s Mathers’ loosest album in quite some time is the reason why so many have found weaknesses to peck away at, yet those very people pecking are the same who’ve long found the rapper’s work to be too try-hard and self-serious.
These days, his diatribes fit safely within the margins of mainstream agitation, no matter how much he’d like us to believe he’s still pushing the envelope.