Though a smattering of other celebrity goofs (Kim Kardashian, Sarah Palin) feel both dated and beneath him, Relapse’s real resonance comes from the fragile, harrowing genius that lies behind that painted-on grin.
Eminem's finest release since 'The Marshall Mathers LP'. An album where the rapper finally casts a candid spotlight of truth on the unanswered questions raised during his years in the wilderness.
Over 20 relentless tracks, he piles rhyme on top of rhyme till your brain hurts trying to keep up. Funny and furious, the album is a virtuoso display to make young pretenders sound like rank amateurs.
He's emerged from his exile musically re-energized and the best way to illustrate that is to go through the same old song and dance again, the familiarity of the words drawing focus on his insane, inspired flow and Dre's production.
By letting Dr. Dre take over the low-end-funk production, and rhyming about things he actually cares about, he comes up with a more painful, honest and vital record than anyone could have expected at this late date, up there with The Eminem Show or maybe even better.
While it’s a truly enjoyable listen from beginning to end, it’s slightly unbalanced. The exclusion of a couple of Slim Shady’s murderous flow-fests in favor of more heart-wrenching reflective gems could’ve have made Relapse the perfect album Marshall has yet to craft.
As Relapse's highlights prove, it's when he talks about himself that he really grabs your attention.
The question remains unanswered, because while it was, undeniably, dull without him, Relapse is less 12 steps than a stumbling one backwards.
Relapse is billed as a return to form, but it plays more like a departure note.
He infuses Relapse with occasional sparks, but fails to transcend the same tired themes – except, of course, when he becomes Marshall Mathers, the Recovering Drug Addict.
One cannot help but wonder what could have been had Eminem not so often veered away from the interesting overriding thematic arcs found on Relapse of psychosis, drugs, and Mathers genetics.
If Relapse were Eminem in Michael Myers mode, it would be fantastic, but instead he's gone Mike Myers or even Robin Williams, subjecting us to "wacky" accents and a delusional sense that he still has a grip on what's edgy.
Relapse is goofy and playful without being fun or funny. It’s less a relapse than a rehash, less a comeback album than the kind of album artists need to come back from.
Relapse is undiluted world-hate, a comeback record that screams: Don’t you wish I was still gone?!
The album quickly becomes drably repetitive, while its dated tone is emphasised by the return of Dr Dre as producer. Only the single "Crack The Bottle" has any real style and swagger, while the other redeeming moments arrive late on,.
Relapse is not much more than a brightly polished turd of old-hat hate, incompatible with the direction society is headed.
This album holds up tbh. I really enjoy a lot of the songs on here. He plays the character well. Idk man. Rapping is on point
One of the most overhated albums to come out within the last decade. Relapse stories Eminem’s battle with drug addiction and near fatal overdose which has realism that makes this album slightly more darker yet alluring than his past albums. The rapping/hooks are top notch and not to mention the album has aged pretty well
Best Tracks:
Deja Vu (favorite)
3 A.M. (favorite)
Same Song & Dance (favorite)
We Made You (favorite)
Insane
Stay Wide Awake
Bagpipes from Baghdad
Beautiful
I wasn’t even alive when his vacation started.
This is first album from Eminem in five years, and it’s way better than Encore. The reason it took Em so long to make this album was because Eminem went into a drug rehab. In 2007, he overdosed on what was the equivalent of a very lethal heroin dose, but amazingly, he pulled through.
It got mixed reviews from both fans and critics, but it sold double platinum, hit #1 on the Billboard 200, and won Eminem a Grammy for Best Rap Album. ... read more
Not the biggest fan of Eminem's whole murderer schtick which is why I can't get into his music, but this album was great start to finish, although it did leave me a little bored at times. I can feel the emotion and soul though.
Although he isn't going as strong as before, this album is still quite solid with stuff like 3am and Underground. The writing is still great and so are the beats.
Average Score: 79/100
Overall Score: 78/100
Favorites: 3am, Deja Vu, Beautiful, Underground
Least Favorite: Must Be the Ganja
1 | Dr. West (Skit) 1:29 | 74 |
2 | 3 a.m. 5:19 | 80 |
3 | My Mom 5:19 | 71 |
4 | Insane 3:01 | 77 |
5 | Bagpipes from Baghdad 4:43 | 76 |
6 | Hello 4:08 | 73 |
7 | Tonya (Skit) 0:42 | 64 |
8 | Same Song & Dance 4:06 | 78 |
9 | We Made You 4:29 | 76 |
10 | Medicine Ball 3:57 | 66 |
11 | Paul (Skit) 0:19 | 67 |
12 | Stay Wide Awake 5:19 | 81 |
13 | Old Time's Sake 4:38 feat. Dr. Dre | 77 |
14 | Must Be the Ganja 4:02 | 66 |
15 | Mr. Mathers (Skit) 0:42 | 69 |
16 | Déjà vu 4:43 | 88 |
17 | Beautiful 6:32 | 91 |
18 | Crack a Bottle 4:57 | 82 |
19 | Steve Berman (Skit) 1:29 | 69 |
20 | Underground 6:11 | 78 |
#11 | / | Complex |