Encore (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Eminem

Advantages: Some truly great tracks.
Disadvantages: Some self indulgent nonsense.

Encore - Eminem Now I am not a great fan of Eminem however I bought this cd when I first heard 'Mosh', track 8, I'll expand on this later. I then heard all this stuff about Eminem retiring, this was his last album etc., etc. I am a fan of Dr Dre however, and as he produced the album that helped to persuade me. So it was with a critical ear that I first listened to it. The fact I still have it four years after it's release is testament to the fact ...
...1. (Curtains Up - Encore version) No needed, just a soundclip of the audience waiting for him. 0/10 not a good start however.... 2. Evil Deeds Brilliant opener. An insight into his mind without a doubt. A really good thumping bass with a 'clicky' percussion whilst he raps over this with some backing going into nursery rhyme. A very complex musical piece with Em rapping about his childhood and a fair level of insight into his current 'issues'. ... Read review

Advantages: Yet another great realease from Eminem
Disadvantages: If you haven't liked his previous albums there is nothing you will like here, if you don't know a lot about him some tracks may not make much sense

...from Eminem. The title Encore suggests that it is the final act and various lyrics suggest he is tired of the fame now and has enough to live the rest of his life comfortably. Sad for us, but good luck to him and what a great way to leave us! If you like Eminem, you will love this album. He wasn't even bothered about it getting leaked to the net and people downloading it instead of buying it because he's already as rich as he ever needs to be ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic songs, and the quality lyrics that we have come to expect from Eminem
Disadvantages: Some very cheesy and childish songs.... Big Weenie?

...going to quit the rap business. If the title, "Encore" wasnt enough of a hint, the lines "I dont ever wanna leave the game without at least saying goodbye" in Encore should be. For more evidence, watch the Toy Soldiers video; see him put the microphone down at the end? ... Read review

Advantages: Mockingbird, The Bonus Disc is tight
Disadvantages: Em's awful singing and rhyming; Repetitive "Shady" Production and Subject Matter; Juvenile and Immature

...It seems like 2004's Encore didn't come as a surprise. It's whack, yes, but not in the same sense that I thought it would be. I previously thought that Eminem would nail us with club song after club song, and preach how he's a "gangsta" like he's done on his spots throughout the year. Instead, Eminem has decided to go with the formula that has always worked. Unfortunately this time around, it doesn't work. Besides Eminem's decline in creative lyricism, ...
...released 2 years back. Perhaps Encore could be considered 2 years late, because crude jokes about Michael Jackson and Christopher Reeves are definitely passe... and unfunny. So on Encore, we find an emcee who is far and beyond his artistic roots, hitting us with the same bullshit we've heard from him over and over. Toppled with simplistic, boring lyrics and brain-scraping production, make sure you bring a barf-bag for this one... Track List & Rating ... Read review

Advantages: Mature performance commands respect and interest
Disadvantages: Uncharacteristic and dark

...that long held tradition, because Encore is less likely to offend (except perhaps if you're the President) and instead can be seen as an eye opening transformation from rap sensation to political activist. All the ingredients combined in the album are aimed at the huge gathering of fans Em has amassed and the CD provides the manifesto for his cult following. There are yet more lines of seemingly self obsessed frustration that threaten to water down ...
...There's nothing one dimensional about Encore either, the popular (and also catchy) "Ass Like That" might be a little harder to take seriously but is a very humorous and light hearted track played out in the rapper's distinctive un-politically correct trademark. Be sure to look beyond the tracks that have made the airwaves, because to coin an old phrase, there's real strength in depth. By no means is Encore an innocent take on things; there's little ... Read review