Recovery

I don't really feel like writing a full review for Eminem's latest. After trudging through it though I feel like I have to say something. I'm not sure he could have made a more pop-oriented, appeal-to-people-that-really-don't-like-Hip Hop type of record than this one.

Now I'm not the kind of fan that only likes the genre to sound one way, especially in the last few years where so many great artists are taking chances with their music, and using Hip Hop as just one of a host of influences. But, in my opinion that's not what Recovery delivers, though it sounds at times as if that is the aim. The verses are mostly solid, and Em has thankfully lost that horrible accent he was using throughout Relapse (and I still like that album better than this one). However, even with his old voice in tact, he hasn't lost his desire to croon on choruses. And when he's not singing someone else is. This is definitely the biggest downfall of Recovery which makes nearly every song sound like the same pop record, and leaves the album as a whole pretty forgettable after the first listen. The introspection shown on many songs is interesting, but by the time the beat and hook are included each sounds kind of watered down and bland.

Despite these major missteps, a horrible song featuring Pink, and the inclusion of the now completely unoriginal concept of using a girl as a metaphor for Hip Hop, Recovery is not nearly Eminem's worst album (I don't think it's possible to dig below Encore). In most ways it's actually a really good album. Again, some of the verses will amaze due to Eminem's nearly unrivaled ability to construct intricate rhyme patterns. At this, Eminem is still at his best, and everyone should listen to this album just to hear him rhyme. And, I don't mean to denigrate the entire CD here either - it's clear that Eminem poured his heart out on Recovery, crafting a deeply personal and honest record. It should be appreciated. Though the total package of a great album is absent here. And that is a big disappointment for me, especially since critics will hail this one as rap album of the year anyway. But, what else can you expect from people that praised Encore as a triumph too?

I hope that this is just the jumping off point to a pack of great new music from Eminem over the next few years - including a Slaughterhouse project and a "Bad Meets Evil" album.

Eminem On Howard Stern

I saw this posted on 2dopeboyz today, and got a kick out of seeing Eminem way back when. So, I figured I'd throw it up here. This interview with Howard Stern was done shortly after The Slim Shady LP dropped. Listen for when one of the callers calls Em a 'One-Hit Wonder'. Priceless.

Howard Stern on Demand @ Yahoo! Video

Trophies

It's not really worth complaining about the Grammy Awards. It might as well just be the Billboard Awards - if you didn't sell a million albums (or whatever today's equivalent to a million is) you won't get noticed.

I usually prefer to tune out altogether, but since the wife likes to watch the performances, I ended up seeing most of it last night. I didn't see any Hip Hop categories televised. What a surprise!! There was one Hip Hop performance which the network edited the shit out of - not just words either. Entire portions of the performance, sometimes a full five or so seconds long were silent as we watched. What a waste.

This morning, I read about some of the Hip Hop and R&B awards that were given. Eminem won 'Best Hip Hop/Rap Album' for Relapse. It seems all he had to do was release something, anything. The album was good in my opinion. You will see it on my 'Best of 2009' list a few posts back. So, I don't have a problem with it being nominated. But it was nowhere near the best. Both Mos Def and Q-Tip were among the other nominees. I named Q-Tip's The Renaissance as my favorite album of 2008 - What the hell are the parameters for being nominated anyway? Why wasn't this included in the awards at the beginning of 2009? Mos Def's The Ecstatic was one of my favorites of 2009, and I would definitely rank it higher than Relapse. I doubt they even listened to the albums before giving it to Eminem. Bottom line, fuck this popularity contest they pass off as a legitimate award show.

Willie D said it best, so here's a Geto Boys classic to enjoy.

Relapse: Refill Review

It bothers me when artists re-release an album with a couple of new songs and expect people to buy the thing all over again. A few other artists have done this. Jay-Z pulled this dick move a few years back by re-releasing Blueprint 2 as a shrunken version of itself with two added songs called Blueprint 2.1. In pretty much everyone's opinion including mine, he could have done this from the beginning, as there were a handful of tracks that we all can agree could have easily never been heard by anyone without complaint ("As One" anyone?). But, now I'm supposed to buy an album for 2 songs? I'd be especially pissed if the internet didn't exist. But, since it does, I am just annoyed at this type of thing. Eminem is next in line with Relapse: Refill. Refill contains 7 "new" tracks previously unreleased. Or, at least, previously unavailable when purchasing Relapse. So, I listened a few times and here's my quick take on it track by track.

"Forever" - Everyone's heard this song by now. It's been floating around for months, and while Em's verse is the one everyone was anticipating, and is not surprisingly the best verse on the song by far, it doesn't feel like it's his song. It feels like he's just being featured on it. It feels out of place on this collection and was probably an afterthought included only because of the attention it's been getting due to the lineup (and his verse).

"Hell Breaks Loose" contains more of the Relapse style, but is clearly a cutting room floor-type song, complete with Dr. Dre sounding ridiculous while spitting Eminem-penned lyrics in full Eminem style. It came off sounding really awkward. When Dre's on a song with Em he should really have someone else write his lyrics. There has to be some kind of contrast in style and delivery, or it just sounds dumb in my opinion.

"Buffalo Bill" is an interesting psychopathic song, probably just as strong as the ones that actually appeared on Relapse. I guess some have to be forgone, but this is fucking nuts. And, the Yoda voice keeps the humor in it.

"Elevator" is a good song, not a great song. Kind of a celebration of success. His rise is pretty amazing when you think about it. He did grind for a while. Say what you want about his whiteness - you may have a point, but still, he paid his fucking dues.

"Taking My Ball", the song that was exclusive to the DJ Hero game for what? A month?, is kinda funny. The wordplay is undeniably dope. But, the song comes off as just average though.

"Music Box" is a song I could see being on the original Relapse. Another Psychotic narrative, but I think this one is better than "Buffalo Bill".

"Drop The Bomb On Em" - Well goddamn this song is sick and there's no other way to put it. I'm loving this one.

Overall, like I said before I'm still annoyed that Slim and his label decided to repackage an existing album that was just released this year with some new tracks, pretend they are doing it "for the fans" and expect them to pay for it. If it's for the fans then just leak the shit on the internet, and let the fans have it. In my opinion, as far as the flow and the way he puts words together, Em is at the top of his game and making lesser MCs look foolish. Concept wise, at times I think he just goes through the motions sometimes and should be much further along at this point in his career. But, we'll see what next year's release of Relapse 2 brings.

This collection definitely doesn't suck. I actually think it's pretty good. It just feels like several of them have similar styles to what ended up being on the album that was released. Meaning he picked what he thought were the best ones, and these were left out. For a reason. So, I don't think it's right to put the album out again with these added and expect people to buy. It is worth the listen. I just don't think it necessary or ethical to charge for it, so I wouldn't say it's worth the purchase. Relapse 2 probably will be.

"Forever" Remix By Travis Barker

Much like the rework of the Slaughterhouse track that I posted a few weeks ago, here's Travis Barker killing the drums on his remix of Drake, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem's posse cut "Forever".

Eminem Talking DJ Hero

Here's a clip of Eminem talking about the experience of playing the DJ Hero game (whose soundtrack consists of Eminem and Jay-Z songs). I don't play video games much anymore, but I'm kinda interested in giving this a shot.

Royce Da 5'9" Talking Balance in Hip Hop

Pretty interesting interview here with Royce discussing Slaughterhouse, Shady Records rumors, Young Money, etc. Below that, a taste of what Rocye brings to the table.