Recovery Review

No matter what critics are saying about it, I haven't been able to stop listening to Eminem's Recovery album, which came out late last month. Regardless of people's comments, the album reached platinum level quickly.

Hah, what did you think this blog title referred to???

I've written an entry about my musician love, Moby, but my second love is Eminem. I've been a fan of his since I was 13. I even have this stuffed tiger, Shady, named after him. I even brought Shady to see Moby (look at what he's signing in this picture).

His "Hi, My Name Is" song was what I used to annoy my sisters before I got hit by the boy bands. His brutal and comedic lines got me through high school with the Marshall Mathers, LP and then later, The Eminem Show. Since then, I haven't been able to find an album that I've really loved as much as those. But yes, I liked tracks here and there, such as "Beautiful" (from the recent Relapse album) a song that I REALLY still like.

So in my attempt to be thorough with my review, whether you yourself are a fan or know someone who is, here's the scoop on all the tracks. Yep, know I each of them well enough to comment on each! And my years of Eminem-listening make me credible (to my own standards) to do an informative review!

And you can bet some of these will be uploaded onto my iPod for running purposes (I marked those with a *)!

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1. Cold Wind Blows*

This track opens up with one of Em's excellent little ditties and kind of opens the album up with a bang due to its vulgarity in its opening lines.

2. Talkin' 2 Myself Feat. Kobe*

The Kobe in this song is NOT Kobe Bryant, to those who are wondering. I like this song a lot because it is about how he almost blasted Kanye West and Lil' Wayne and how confused he was. The hook, sung by Kobe (the singer), is done really well, kind of emo-ish.

3. On Fire

A decent track… but not memorable to me for some reason.

4. Won't Back Down Feat. P!nk

P!nk sings the hook in this song, in a sort of Broadway-ish way. Eminem raps very rapidly and really throws of his ammo in this one. Notably, there's a point in the song where you think your CD "lost reception," but it's an effect of the song.

5. W.t.p.

When stuff is abbreviated in rap music, it usually refers to something bad, right? In this case, "W.T.P" stands for "White Trash Party." The hook containing this phrase is catchy. Overall, a fun song.

6. Going Through Changes

This song is very serious. Some points, it utilizes hospital noises and heart beating. A song about some of his personal struggles and is pretty good, though I should mention, probably not ideal for running. =D

7. Not Afraid

This song's already been released on the radio, of course. And for good reason, as it's one of the best songs in the album. The beat is well-arranged, the lyrics clear and not too vulgar, and empowering because of the inspiring talking that he does.

8. Seduction

As you can imagine, the contents of this track are a bit dirty, essentially stating that nobody can be as good as him… in certain private venues. I like the hook, which he sings in a nice voice in spite of the contents.

9. No Love Feat. Lil Wayne*

Squeeeee!! This is my favorite song on the entire album and took the place of my current favorite song, which was David Guetta's "Getting Over You," just so you know.

I actually like Lil Wayne a lot, unrealized by myself… everything from "Cop Car" to "Every Girl" to "Got Money" and pretty much anytime he appears in a song. His voice is perverted, yet light and humorous and clever. Put this clever guy with Eminem, and it's bound to be good. This song samples on "What is Love" by Haddaway, but before you scoff, you have to listen to the hook… it is SO well-arranged. And might I add, Lil Wayne REALLY tore it up in the opening of the song. I can't say enough good stuff about this song. I hope they release it on the radio, although it will need some cleaning, if you know what I mean!

10. Space Bound*

Also one of my favorite songs, definitely mellow, but it's a love song with a nice hook. I'm not sure if he sings it, but it makes the song what it is. And the opening is capturing as well.

11. Cinderella Man

This one seems like one of those ones that was fun to make, clever and upbeat, but not one of my favorites.

12. 25 To Life

A song about a relationship gone wrong, Eminem uses a soft female voice for the hook.

13. So Bad

I believe this is one of those songs that really takes a verbal bite at some people. Otherwise, it's not that memorable.

14. Almost Famous

Another theater-esque female vocal for the hook. As you can imagine, it mentions the struggle with being famous.

15. Love The Way You Lie Feat. Rihanna*

This song is also on the radio currently, and also for good reason because of the way in which the beat is arranged, ballad-like with a piano and Rihanna's crooning. A song about an abusive relationship on a serious note, noting the confusion of the love and pain he has for a woman. Unsettling that Rihanna does this song, considering her history.

16. You're Never Over*

A (what I think is) sweet tribute to his departed "best friend," Proof (Dirty Harry from D-12, his posse group that I also like). Strangely, Proof was my favorite rapper out of that group due to his raspy voice, and I was unnerved that he died an untimely violent death. Anyway, the chorus of this song sounds a little… juvenile(?), but the lyrics are inspiring, basically saying that Eminem's going to do the best he can in light of his friend's death. I should also note that he mentions Proof throughout the album (I knew he would after it happened). I think the best part of this song is the bridge that goes "It don't stop… ohhh, it don't quit…" because he sings it in his nice voice.

BONUS TRACK*

And just when you think the album is done, Eminem comes up with this fast-paced rhyming ammo to end the ammo. I think this song is awesome, because he really does a good job with the rhymes and clever word-play. Kind of reminds me more of his earlier stuff. A great way to end the album.