Eminem Show, The (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Eminem > Reviews > 'The Eminem Show': self dissection 101.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	lyricism (upto a point), production .
Disadvantages:	'Drips', extensive length .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

"Who woulda thought; standin in this mirror bleachin my hair
with some peroxide, reachin for a t-shirt to wear
that I would catapult to the forefront of rap like this?"

Ever since 1999, and the release of debut single 'My Name Is', Marshall Mathers III has prospered in a scene largely popularised by black folk. In fact, rewind to early 98', and the mere prospect of a young white boy flogging 65 million records of the rap persuasion would have been greeted with more than a few raised eyebrows. However, Eminem (Marshall, Slim, whatever) prospered where others had failed - he told it like it was, didn't give a flying f*ck who he rubbed up the wrong way, and made himself a reputation as the most controversial figure in post-millennium rap. His constant collaboration with one Dr Dre was undoubtedly the catalyst for his success, but that said, you've gotta go some to sell as many units as Em did, and all that in a mere six years.

'The Eminem Show' serves as something of a self-autopsy - dissecting and digging deep within - resulting in an over-the-top no-holds-barred attack at both the world around him, as well as those slightly closer in situation. He hates his mother, we know that. He hates the media, we know that. But this just reinforces that knowledge, in exceptionally literate fashion. There's no denying that the tale gets old toward the end of the discs 19 tracks - but for a fleeting, fantastic few minutes, it's alike nothing else done in the last few years. Brilliant. Beautiful. And damn crude with it.

Gone are the slapstick lines that culminated in the likes of 'The Real Slim Shady' from Em's 'Marshall Mathers LP' release, and in their place come a new found maturity, or should that be - a new found vulgarity. Aiming expletives in almost every direction, The Eminem Show is at times a disturbing listen, but one just as intriguing, if only to see a lyrical genius at his undeniable peak. Whilst there isn't the likes of 'Kim' (possibly one of the most controversial tracks ever put to disc), Eminem proceeds to attack everyone - from the media to other rappers, from a fan on the street to the parent of a broken home. Boy's got issues.

An honest representation of both his thoughts and feelings, 'White America' talks candidly of the American society and it's thought toward certain ethnic minorities - whether it be his tirade toward those that only gave him a chance due to his skin colour ("Let's do the math - if I was black, I woulda sold half"), or those that try so effortlessly to derail his career ("So now I'm catchin the flack from these activists when they raggin, Actin like I'm the first rapper to smack a bitch or say faggot"), or simply those that won't get off his back ("All I hear is: lyrics, lyrics, constant controversy, sponsors working round the clock to try to stop my concerts early") - it's exactly what you expect of Detroit's own Mr Controversial.

Em sets about dissecting his past relationship, however dodgy it be, with his mother. Their problems have been well documented throughout the media since Eminem first hit the music scene in the late 90's - but 'Cleaning Out My Closet' is the first real stab at a woman he hates more than any other. "You're gettin older now and it's cold when your lonely, And Nathan's growin up so quick he's gonna know that your phony. And Hailie's gettin so big now; you should see her, she's beautiful, But you'll never see her - she won't even be at your funeral" - documenting his thoughts toward her since he hit the big time, it's overly honest in places, and is something which justifies the parental advisory sticker that adorns the album itself.

The one undeniable thing as regards any Eminem album, is the lyrics. Honesty, fuelled through expletives, isn't something a youngster should hear. Throwing around swear word upon swear word would generally become tiring, were it not for the strengths of the lyrics around them - something which helps 'The Eminem Show' to prosper through it's controversy. 'Soldier', another of the albums strong moments, aims random nastiness at anyone and everyone - " Pull it, squeeze it, 'til its empty, tempt me, push me, pussies. I need a good reason to give this trigger a good squeeze". Looking past Eminem's new found maturity in songs like 'Sing For The Moment' and 'White America', it becomes apparent that half the hate thrown about is simply done because he can.

On the downside, 'Drips' is nothing short of appalling. Showing the side of Eminem thought previously defunct - a graphic encounter of gaining himself an STD - it's not even worth quoting lyrics for how incredibly in-your-face they are (feel free to look them up at your own digression). 'Hallie's Song' is just like the title reads - a song for Marshall's daughter, an individual for whom he'd die for. "Sometimes I think I'm crazy, I'm crazy, oh so crazy. Why am I here, am I just wasting my time? But then I see my baby, Suddenly I'm not crazy. It all makes sense when I look into her eyes" - it's this sort of lyricism that leads you to question exactly why Eminem 'fucks' and 'shits' the way he does - when he can write something as endearing as that, and place it alongside the likes of previously mentioned 'Drips'.

As an individual, I've no time for Eminem. He's a crude, self righteous young man that seems to bring himself to the centre of problems on an all to regular basis. As an artist however, I respect the guy. Lyrically, he sometimes goes a little too far, but when he doesn't, he's good. Musically, there's no denying how catchy certain songs in his back catalogue are - and as an album, 'The Eminem Show' is just about he at his strongest. With his imminent retirement (see 'Curtain Call: The Hits'), the world will never see another white boy rapper on the levels of Marshall Mathers III - and whilst many will be all the better for it, many won't.