Recovery [Clean]

I've grown up with Eminem's music since I was 9, and been a genuine fan since The Eminem Show. The previous albums haven't been his best; Encore was flawed, a number of brilliant songs in between tunes which seemed more an imitation of Slim Shady rather than the real Slim Shady. Relapse I enjoyed, but I can understand why it wasn't popular.

Recovery is a change in Eminem's style. If anything, it conforms to many current hip-hop and pop styles. Simple examples are the use of Pink and Rihanna in songs, where before Dina Rae (a relative unknown outside of rap) featured. Beats are faster, there are genuine hints of love ballads (instead of murder ballads), and it just seems like Eminem's accepted he's changed rap forever, but he can't change it any more. This may not be a bad thing. Slim Shady/Eminem/Marshall Mathers are each different entities, so leaving Slim Shady to rest, with the brilliant work he did may be the best way for Slim to quit as the dominant entity.

As for individual songs on Recovery, Not Afraid is brilliant, while So Bad is a classic (the fact it's produced by Dr Dre may not be a coincidence). Going Through Changes is probably my favourite, for the moment. W.T.P. is a weak song, and I wish someone else sang the chorus to You're Never Over, while the absence of D12 (even without Proof) or Dre is disappointing. It can be difficult to get into as you compare Recovery with Eminem's old work, but once you're past that, you can recognise the album's brilliance.

Inevitably, Eminem has grown up throughout his career. From rebellious lunatic, to annoyed genius, to concerned parent and American to grieving friend, most with healthy doses of humour included. We've grown up with him. Recovery is a veteran rapper masterfully plying his trade, and another evolution of Eminem for us to experience.

You have to respect an artist who's willing to write off a good percentage of his own catalogue - records that millions of people bought and a good majority of those enjoyed. Eminem isn't happy with Encore and that's understandable - it wasn't very good. More surprisingly, he's pretty scathing about Relapse as well, which many fans - including this one - saw as a return to form, albeit a partial one. Relapse suffered from being inconsistent but its two bonus tracks and the 'Relapse:Refill' release seemed to point in a more encouraging direction; less silly accents and more focus on flow and technical ability. The good news is, this trend has continue unabated with Recovery.

Recovery is an album that grows with each listen. It's not perfect, but is it better than Relapse? Yes. Is it better than The Eminem Show? Narrowly, yes. This is an album that can stand comfortably alongside the 'LP's although perhaps not on first listen - it's definitely a grower. The accents have gone. The skits have disappeared. To his credit, the change in Eminem's style is tangible - this isn't self-declaration, it's very evident that things have change momentum.

The guest appearances may be surprising. We're mercifully spared any 50 Cent, and there's no D12 here either. After rapping about how he was on the verge of putting out a diss record against Lil' Wayne, he actually appears on this album, although ironically, Eminem destroys him on 'No Love'. There are uncredited appearances too - '25 To Life' and 'Almost Famous' both benefit from a female hook, but the biggest surprise will surely be one time nemesis Pink, who actually adds so little to 'Won't Back Down' that she might as well be anyone. Rihanna continues to demonstrate that any collaboration she touches turns to gold; she's the female Nate Dogg in that respect.

And so the man himself. This is a self-conscious album from Eminem, but unlike his lesser records, he's no longer moaning about the price of fame. Instead, this is autobiographical as he brings us up to speed with where he's been and attempts some kind of redemption after his last two albums. Lyrically, Eminem has never sounded better. His flow is, incredibly, superior to any of his past albums. He dances around each beat; his trademark polysyllabic rhyming style often dazzles and leads to multiple rewind-moments. On one or two occasions the sentiment of the flow is sacrificed for an easy rhyme, but moments like these are few and far between. It's hard to think of any better technical lyricist, alive or dead - if Eminem set out to re-establish his skills, this album is a triumph.

I won't go through every track, but suffice to say, this is an album that is destined to be a classic. It isn't perfect - there's too much singing here, and although Eminem can hold a tune, he's better off leaving that to people who can do it better. There's also one too many try-hard cultural references (multiple jabs at Michael J Fox are neither topical nor particularly funny). In addition to that, the Proof tribute song 'You're Never Over' is out of place and indulgent. There's also been an error of judgement in terms of song order - the second track should have been the first, and the 'untitled' song is too good to remain hidden.

That being said, this deserves a place in the collection of anyone who can claim to enjoy hip hop, or music. It is a bold, unmistakeable statement of return from one of the most skilled rappers in the game, and I for one love it.

Eminem's Recovery album, what a fanastic album to ocme up with. I have all the albums from "The Slim Shady LP" to this album (including "Curtain Call"), out of all those albums this album kicks them all off, the previous albums were good being funny and taking the mick out of people, but this album is more serious and has no skits at all. 17 tracks all songs, its really good!

I will rate each song and explain why:-

1. Cold Wind Blows 8/10 - The 1st track on the album, this is isn't a bad song at all, 1st listening thought it was a bit crap, but after a few listens its not to bad at all. The chorus isn't bad either.

2. Talkin' 2 Myself (feat. Kobe) 10/10 - This is a brilliant fantastic song! I love it, the chorus is brilliant, the lyrics are brilliant and also the music itself is really good, Worth listening!

3. On Fire 8/10 - This song isn't bad, i prefer the raps to the chorus, i be honest i think the chorus is quite rubbish. The raps aren't bad though.

4. Won't Back Down 9/10 - This is I thought i would never see, Pink and Eminem collaboration. Works quite well really, even though i think Pink isn't the best singer in the world, she isn't bad in this song. The song is good to listen to.

5. W.T.P. (White Trash Party) 10/10 - This song is brilliant, its catchy, the raps are really good, it all fits in together, the beat is brilliant, I love the chorus for this song. Worth listening to defo!

6. Going Through Changes (feat. Ozzy Osbourne) 10/10 - This song is brilliant, this song samples Black Sabbath's "Changes" back in the 1970s. Eminem pulls this song off, along with Ozzy's chorus.. This is a good song and the lyrics are very mean full. good song to listen to.

7. Not Afraid 10/10 - The 1st single off the album, this song is BRILLIANT! I love this song, the lyrics are great, and the chorus is brilliant. This would properly be the 1st song people would listen to on this album.

8. Seduction 10/10 - This song I think is good, the chorus is good, and the I really like the beat it has keep going and going. I think this is another best song on the album.

9. No Love (feat. Lil' Wayne) 8/10 - This isn't too bad, when you suddenly hear Eminem. I really cant stand Lil' Wayne, as I don't like his voice, but when Eminem comes in, I think excellent. It's still a good song though.

10. Space Bound 10/10 - This song is fantastic, its a rap ballad really. This song has a brilliant chorus. It doesn't really sound like Eminem, it has a nice guitar in it and has a ballad feel when listening to it. A fantastic song to listen to!

11. Cinderella Man 9/10 - This song isn't bad at all. I like the chorus for this song, and of course the brilliant Eminem raps :).

12. 25 To Life 9/10 - Another rap ballad with guitar all the way through and a woman singing the chorus. I don't think the chorus is sung really well, sounds a bit drowned really, but it is a good song to listen to.

13. So Bad 8/10 - Dr. Dre produced song, as it does sound like it. The raps are really good tho, the chorus is pretty good though, so its worth a listen.

14. Almost Famous 7/10 - This in my opinion is the weakest song, The chorus isnt catchy for me, and I don't know if I can get to like this song or not.

15. Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) 10/10 - This is a brilliant song with Rihanna, the nice guitar, great rap lyrics, great chorus sung by Rihanna, its a really good fantastic song to listen to!

16. You're Never Over 10/10 - This song is brilliant, this song is about Proof who died in 2006. This song is really great. The chorus is brilliant and the lyrics are good. Well worth the listen!

17. Untitled (Bonus Track) 8/10 - Not a bad song, gets a bit boring after a while, but isn't to bad to listen to. This is the shortest song on the album.

In conclusion I think Eminem has come back with a great fantastic album. Compared to his last album "Relapse", I think its better. It's better produced, I do like songs produced by Dr. Dre, but I think Eminem is better and this album shows that a brilliant album can be achieved without a lot of Dr. Dre production.

This album is worth buying, maybe listen to a few first to see if you like them, but i think its good and I'm sure most people will. If you like skits and the funny stuff, all that has gone. Is it for the best or worse?