Eminem Presents The Re-Up (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Various Artists

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	One hit and lots of B-sides
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	A few good tracks
Disadvantages:	A lot of filler

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

I bought this more out of curiousity than expectation. It was released to try and promote new artists signed to Shady Records like Stat Quo, Ca$his and Bobby Creekwater but also features just about everybody assossiated with Shady. It was intended origionally to be a mixtape but was made into a full length album during production.

The cover was hand drawn by Eminem. It looks a bit plain in my oppion but credit to him for putting his drawing talents out there. It features everyone who is on the album. On with the track breakdown:

1. Shady Narcotics - Eminem
This is just an intro. The only reason I include it is because the beat is amazing. It's a shame it was wasted on this instead of being used on a song, but oh well. Em just says the names of everyone on the album.

2. We're Back - Eminem, Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater, Cashis
Em leads of with his new, deeper sounding voice. He seems to switch it up on every album he releases and this is my least favourite incarnation. As for the verses, they are all good lyrically. Bobby Creek doesn't stand out at all on this. Everyone else has a line or two that I can remember except him. I am also not a fan of the beat. It is a typical Eminem production - boring and repetitive. This is a theme through the album so I won't mention from now onwards unless something is particularly terrible or wonderful. 4/5

3. Pistol Pistol (Remix) - Trice, Obie
The orgional was by D12 and was on their 'Devils Night' album released many years ago. Obie raps about the incident where he got shot in the head and almost died that occured in January 2006 if I recall correctly. The topic definantly fits with the theme of the origional but the lyrics are much more serious. He holds his own when compared to the D12 version and it's a nice second track. 4/5

4. Murder - Bizarre, Kuniva
I don't expect much from Bizarre. He didn't surprise me. His flow is slow and his rhymes very basic. Kuniva is slightly better lyrically but when it comes down to it, this track is gun talk and nothing else. One of the worst tracks on the album, and some would consider it disrespectful after what happened to their band-mate and long time friend Proof (RIP). 1/5

5. Everything Is Shady - Cashis
Cashis' time to (potential) shine on a solo track and he declines the opportunity to impress. This is better than the previous track, but it's nothing that will make you want to replay it again and again, then rush out to buy a copy of his first solo album when/if it comes out. 2.5/5

6. Re Up - Eminem, 50 Cent
Boom boom cha, boom b-boom cha. That's my impression of the beat. The verses are much more lyrical (yes, I did just call 50 Cent lyrical) than Cashis' (not such a bold statement now is it?). This is one of the best tracks on the album. 4/5

7. You Don't Know - 50 Cent, Eminem, Cashis, Lloyd Banks
This was the lead single. Every feature has a solid verse, but Cashis is the only inexperianced one on here. His verse isn't that long compared to 50's and Em's. I think this was the lead because it is good and would hopefully generate album sales rather than to promote the new artists. 4/5

8. Jimmy Crack Corn - Eminem, 50 Cent
This is about not caring what others think of them. Again, solid verses with some multi syllable rhymes in there. Quite enjoyable, sometime witty although not designed to get a whole bunch of laughs. 4/5

9. Trapped - Proof
Proof spitting from beyond the grave. It's a nice snippet, talking about shooting but in a much more enjoyable way than was seen in 'Murder'. I'm surprised they didn't have a full length Proof track on here. I suppose they much be saving pre-recorded verses for the D12 album. 4/5

10. Whatever You Want - Swifty McVay, Mr. Porter
The subject in this one is anything that shocks. I like it, especially the first verse by Swift and the hook. Mr Porter's flow is slower but both verses are still pretty good. 4/5

11. Talkin' All That - Cashis
Now we hit the mid section of the album and all the filler creeps on in. Coincidently, so do all the new artists. Anyway, this track is average in every way you can think of. 2/5

12. By My Side - Stat Quo
Again, another average track. Nothing memorable here. 3/5

13. We Ride For Shady - Obie Trice, Cashis
Obie has a good verse, Cashis talks about guns and being a gangster. That's his favourite topic. Again average, but pulled up a little due to Obie's verse. 3.5/5

14. There He Is - Bobby Creekwater
If you're looking for a lyrical masterpiece this is not it. It is mediocre track, Booby does nothing that would make me want a whole album full of his stuff. 2.5/5

15. Tryin' Ta Win - Stat Quo
This is mediocre again. Stat talks about everybody wanting to come out on top. It ok, not mind blowing. 3/5

16. Smack That (Remix) - Akon, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater
You guessed what I'm going to say about this one: average. This may be more to do with the subject matter and it being a club song (so limiting lyrically) than Stat and Booby's ability but still...I skip this one frequently. 2.5/5

17. Public Enemy #1 - Eminem
Em talks about his fear of being assassinated, and the assassinations of Tupac Shakur and JFK. I'm not entirely sure his fears are warrented, but the verse is good and somewhat educational at the same time. We all win. 4/5

18. Get Low - Stat Quo
Unorigional topic but I quite like the beat. Not enough to make me want this song on my iPod though. 3/5

19. Ski Mask Way (Remix) - 50 Cent
I've already mentioned how poor I think Eminem's beat making is. This track is the origional lyrics over an Eminem beat. I will point you in the direction of the origional mix instead of this version, and I'll grade the track on the beat rather than lyrical content. 1/5

20. Shake That (Remix) - Nate Dogg & Eminem, Obie Trice, Bobby Creekwater
What a terribel song to chose to remix. Obie and Bobby provide the new verses, Eminem says something at the beginning. Maybe it'a a hook, maybe it's considered a verse. Who knows; who cares? The verses fit with the song very well, but like I said about the 'Smake That' remix, the nature of the track makes it hard to create a verse that is lyrically good. 3/5

21. Cry Now (Remix) - Obie Trice, Kuniva, Bobby Creekwater, Cashis, Stat Quo
Arguably the best track on the album. Everybody brings a great verse. The origional was on Obie's album 'Second Rounds On Me', but he provides a fresh first verse for this one. He raps about getting shot in the head and how he has the whole Shady roster behind him now. 4.5/5

22. No Apologies - Eminem
The title sums up the content - Em isn't apologising for anything he's said. The first two verses sound like they were written a few years ago due to the style being different. The third verse sounds new and in it he talks a little about Proof, his murdered friend. Unfortunantly, this highlights his decline over the years. He flow in the third is not as smooth, the delivery not as intence and the rhymes not as complex. It is still a good track and one of the best on here. 4/5

23. Billion Bucks (bonus track) - Stat Quo
This is a club track. The beat is really good, Stat talks about being rich et al. An ok finisher. 3.5/5

Summery
This has a few good tracks, mostly done by the established artists. It has a lot of filler from around track 11 - 19. Most of the filler comes from the new artists like Bobby Creekwater, Stat Quo and Cashis. As the purpose of this release was to build hype around them, I don't think this album has done that. It has got their names out and made them more known, but the average music fan wouldn't buy their solo albums based on what we have here.
If you have a spare £5 then by all means give this a run through. I wouldn't spend more than that one it though. You'll skip more tracks than you'll listen to.