Eminem. Even the name in itself can stir up a myriad of reactions from all walks of life. I have of course heard of the various controversies surrounding this artist but pay little attention to things so incidental. I don't have the time to concern myself with the intricacies of someone else's life when I can only just manage to make enough for the immediate people in my own.
I first started to sit up and take notice of Eminem's musical ability when the single 'Stan' was released. The majority of the listening public were treated to a cracking track which scraped beneath the surface a little. For me, it was this song which signalled some deeper meaning and was, as it turned out, a lovely little tease of things yet to come.....
And so, 'The Eminem Show'.
The cover design for the album is beautifully poignant. It depicts an empty stage, the theatre curtains parted a little and in the darkness Marshall Mathers II sits, alone and reflective. He is barely visible as the black suit he wears merges with the lonliness and emptiness of the backstage area. Only his trademark peroxide hair and the scarecest glimpse of skin identify him. A spotlight on stage searches for the missing performer.
White America
Not the best start to this record, I found 'White America' quite difficult to listen to. It is a bit darker and heavier than most of the other tracks on this album. The content though is an astute take on racism as it lives and breathes in the US and the reception of Eminem personally as a rapper. The lyrics are pretty valid but I still don't like the song.
Cleanin Out My Closet
I first heard this one on Radio 1 when they previewed the album. It didn't really make much of an impression
on me then but, with time, it has grown on me. This is one of the slower songs here and, as the title suggests, the lyrics are concentrated on Eminem's experience of family and his attempt to come to terms with his early life. In this day and age the meaning of the word 'family' can be altered to mean almost anything and Eminem falls into some distorted category. Obviously dissatisfied with this, I hope that this outpouring has been cathartic for him. Both Ma and Pa Mathers are in the firing line and the pain that the words represent is almost tangiable. The hate certainly is. The rap is gentle at times but rises to a crescendo as the subject of each verse evolves. The chorus is sung - clumsily. This doesn't matter though. I have a sneaky suspicion that anything else would sound wrong.
Drips
This song is a duet with Obie Trice and it's explicit. Is it ever. It tells the story of Denise who works at the dry cleaners She is Eminem's bird but has been knocking off old Obie behind his back. Anyway everyone with breastage somehow manages to get the blame for the spread of AIDS when their male partners have also been guilty of riding bare-back. I don't like this one - it does offend me. Not much else on this album does.
Without Me
The first single to be released from this latest offering. This is a typical Eminem track and bears strong resemblance to previous outings such as 'The Real Slim Shady'. Fast paced and toilet humour at it's best. This was the perfect track to announce the welcome return of Slim Shady.
Sing for the Moment
This song is a collaboration with Aerosmith. It differs from any other song on the abum in that it is pretty rocky and features a closing guitar riff. The lyrics smack of accurate social commentary. It is a combination of the familiar biographical content of many of Eminem's tracks but also seems to capture a feeling that really can't be conveyed with words alone. When I listen to this song I feel a connection to it's sentiment and it makes me feel like a part of the music. A line from the song itself, 'they say music can alter moods and talk to you', sums up nicely what I'm trying to say. It definately can and this one does.
Superman
A little bit of light relief now. 'Superman' is a slow and smooth track with a lazy beat and bass from the off. It feels like the perfect track to drive to on a summers day (not too loud of course - the lyrics are more than likely to cause offence! Shame). The story behind this one goes that Marshall is no longer able to trust those amoungst us with breastage. Past experience has scarred his opinion of women and he cannot commit. Eminem and a girl called Dina Rae begin this track by whispering sweet sexy nothings to one another. When I first listened to this song I was a bit concerned as to where this was leading. They sounded rather.....ahem.....worked up. As it transpires I needn't have broken a sweat because the persona of Slim Shady shatters this romantic atmosphere in one fell swoop as the first verse kicks in. After a fair bit of wear, this track still makes me smile and chuckle to myself. One thing about 'Superman' that did make me feel a little uneasy was a reference to Eminem's short lived fling with Mariah Carey. I don't know much about what happened between them but it seems really unfair to mention someone as fragile as Mariah reportedly is and totally contradicts the impression Eminem portrays of himself in other songs on this album.
Hailie's Song
And this is one of those songs. Hailie Jade is Eminem's daughter whom he loves 'more than life in itself'. That much is blatantly obvious. This track begins with a prior apology for lack of vocal ability before the man himself bursts into song. He needn't have doubted himself. Further on in the track he reaches one hell of a note and can sing better than a lot of our current chart 'talent'. A nice touch comes when the tone of the lyrics alter and Eminem seems to descend into a blurred state of mind for the chorus. The gentle singing voice instantly becomes a crazed screech and this is very effective for the purposes of the track. For me, though, a damn near beautiful song is slightly tainted by bitter references to Hailie's mum and Eminem's ex, Kim.
When the Music Stops
Eminem is joined by a host of other rappers to muse over who they really are beyond the public bravado of their music. This is a mediocre track but I like it. The words don't particularly stir anything for such a potentially emotive subject but the music compensates for this and it's pleasantly tuneful.
Say What You Say
I don't really appreciate this track. It features Dr. Dre, who also produced the album but it is, in my opinion, definately one of the weaker offerings. The music is a much more brash and so I lost the will to make any kind of effort with the lyrics.
'Till I Collapse
My favourite. Nate Dogg lends his vocals to the chorus, which, despite being almost monotone, is somehow incredibly catchy. This is possibly because of an 80s-esque tune going on in the background. The vocals have been laid down in a raucous style, the beat is sharp and strong and this is a definate head-bobber (to feel cool but look ridiculous).
My Dad's Gone Crazy
Hailie Jade teams up with her Dad on this track. Despite this, the content isn't toned down even the slightest notch and there is reference-a-plenty to the male anatomy, relationships of an incestuous nature etc etc etc. As is the case with 'Hailie's Song', Eminem uses the opportunity to well and truly slate another family member. The person in the hot seat this time is, surprise, surprise, Eminem's mother, Debbie. And she really gets savaged. Aside from this, the song has a catchy little chorus which father and daughter sing together and Hailie sounds like a proper cutie when she speaks her solo. From their genuine laughs you can tell that they're having a scream together, which I guess is all that matters. Like 'Without Me' this is intended to be taken with the lightest of hearts.
Yes, this record is littered with profanity and potentially offensive material. If you are easily offended I think that it's safe to say you should steer well clear, but I would also point out that I think this artist's lyrics are intended to be received by a sense of humour and a pinch of salt. If you can swallow your objections you will find the occassional profound and thought-provoking lyrics which distinguish Eminem as both a talented poet and showman. Love or hate, it can't be denied that Eminem pours himself into his art and in this day and age of commercialised and manufactured pop acts, I find this refreshing in a way.
I haven't covered every track on this album basically because I can't be bothered to make the effort for the ones I don't like - there are a few but the outstanding material on this album more than compensates for these disappointments. I bought mine for £9.99 from Tesco and I consider it £9.99 well spent.
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I love Hailie's Song - he's not a bad singer at all! x
magnificent8th 05.05.2003 22:27
good op but i have to say- dr dre made eminem what he is and most of the djing is by him. if you listen to NWA you'll find excellent beats and socially concious rapping by the masters of the time. plus- i did find the "f*ck these bitches, f*ck em all" in drips a bit strange, since i thought it was men that were mostly resposible for the spread of aids? :)
Sean_lawston 03.05.2003 10:39
Oh, I see an old favourite is up to their old tricks again already. Sigh...
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Apr 23rd, 2003
(Apr 25th, 2003)
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