Eminem Show, The (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Eminem > Reviews > Curtains up, let the show begin

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money

Advantages:	A cool album
Disadvantages:	Annoying skits

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It has to be said that no matter how controversial Eminem is, he always records some excellent tracks that all combine to produce a remarkable album. This was demonstrated in ‘The Slim Shady LP’ and ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ and so to it’s demonstrated in his latest release, ‘The Eminem Show’. I commend Eminem on his magic creations of rap music but I have to criticise him on certain aspects of this and all of his albums. The inclusions of ‘skits’. I don’t find them all that entertaining, an opinion that will receive certain mixed reception from readers of this op.

So, down to the album. Just before I begin however I’ll get the annoying ‘skits’ out of the way. There are 5 ‘skits’ featured in ‘The Eminem Show’. The first, titled ‘Curtains up’ features introduction music with the approach of footsteps, towards a microphone and then a cough. This lasts all of 29 seconds. But I suppose we all ought to be grateful it wasn’t ‘another public service announcement’. The other ‘skits’ I’ll give you the pleasure of discovering.

‘WHITE AMERICA’ is the first track and it is a storming beginning. The top hit ‘BUSINESS’ then follows, where you will ‘witness hip hop in its most purest’. Eminem then begins ‘CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET’ where he’s ‘so sorry mama’ and as you would imagine there are many skeletons in Eminem’s closet. You are then invited to ‘let your hair down’ and listen to ‘SQUARE DANCE’. Eminem then turns to ‘SOLDIER’. ‘SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD’ and ‘DRIPS’ (featuring Obie Trice) follow. Next on the bill is ‘WITHOUT ME’, you’ve all heard it, and so do I need to discuss it? ‘SING FOR THE MOMENT’, you all know that one too, don’t you? I don’t know what it is that Eminem has with comic book creations but he mentions batman and sings ‘SUPERMAN’ And when its not superman it’s Christopher Reeves… same thing. A dedication then comes, ‘HALIE’S SONG’ a whole song devoted to Halie, the daughter of Eminem (just in case you didn’t know). Now we enter the real tough songs, featuring the best of the rap world. ‘WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS’ featuring D-12, ‘SAY WHAT YOU SAY’, featuring Dr Dre and ‘TILL I COLLAPSE’ featuring Nate Dogg. Ah! And then comes the last song, a real cute song, made so because it features Halie and the title says it all, ‘MY DAD’S GONE CRAZY’.

As Dr Dre as its Executive Producer ‘The Eminem Show’ is a very good album. The CD insert proves very helpful if you want to be just like Eminem. You can rap along to all of his songs using the printed lyrics and when your grandparents say ‘Who on earth is this, it’s a load of old rubbish, you can’t hear a word his saying’. Hand them the lyrics- if you dare!

I consider Eminem on parallel with Marmite. You either love him or hate him.

Curtains close.

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The Eminem Show (Aftermath/Shady Records)
Executive Producer: Dr Dre

Warning: this album contains Explicit Lyrics. (As if you wouldn’t have guessed)

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