Eminem – Recovery
They say it’s a long road to recovery, and the artwork on the cover of Eminem’s latest album seems to suggest just that – it pictures the rapper slowly walking a lonely highway, with only the horizon in the distance. The shot is a statement of intent, sending a message to those who had written him off after 2009’s underwhelming ‘Relapse’ – Eminem is back to his best, and fully intends to remain where he is.
After the 2004 smash hit ‘Encore’, the rapper otherwise known as Marshall Mathers went through a difficult period in his life. He became addicted to sleeping pills, and subsequently suffered from writer’s block, leading to a five year absence from the recording studio. When the eagerly-awaited ‘Relapse’ hit the shelves last year, his fans were hoping for a stunning return to form, but were left disappointed. The rapper seemed to be going through the motions, falling back on staple characters and shock tactics, while other tracks conveyed an unintended sense of desperation from an artist struggling to express himself properly. However, the title of Eminem’s latest record was not chosen by chance – ‘Recovery’ is not only a demonstration that Mathers has his mojo back, but also that he’s grown up a bit.
The album’s lead single is ‘Not Afraid’, a soul-bearing confessional that courageously addresses the rapper’s recent failings. In the lyrics, Eminem admits that ‘Relapse’ was sub-standard, and promises his army of fans that he’s back for good. This theme of honesty and openness is continued in ‘Talkin’ 2 Myself’, in which the rapper admits that he was becoming bitter and jealous, and nearly “made a song dissing Lil Wayne”. Eminem continues with the brutal self-analysis in ‘Changes’, and again in ‘Cinderella Man’. Finally, Mathers draws on the experience of his love/hate relationship with ex-wife Kim in ‘Love the Way You Lie’, a sentimental piece that also features the vocal talents of Rihanna.
Navel gazing aside, Eminem trumpets his return to form with a sequence of tracks that focus on his phoenix-like rise from the flames, and furiously attack those who queued up to hammer nails into his coffin. ‘Cold Wind Blows’, ‘Space Bound’, and ’25 to Life’ are all incendiary tracks, but the crowning glory is ‘No Love’, which features an entertaining cameo by Lil Wayne. The track is extremely well put together, and is probably the best on the album.
Other tracks include the deep, edgy sounds of ‘So Bad’ – featuring Dr Dre – and ‘Almost Famous’, while closing number ‘You’re Never Over’ is a poignant tribute to Eminem’s late friend and D12 companion, Proof. The remaining three aren’t quite as strong – despite the title, ‘On Fire’ is weak, while the respective shock-jock antics and sexual boasting of ‘W.T.P.’ (White Trash Party) and ‘Seduction’ are rap-by-numbers Eminem material. However, as a whole the album marks a triumphant reversal of form and fortune for Eminem, and is one of the best all-round records of his career so far.
