Eminem
The Eminem Show
Interscope/Aftermath/Shady Records
Eminem has become one of the most controversial and beloved figures within the hip-hop world over the past few years. Slim's previous efforts, The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP, blasted his ex-wife/girlfriend (Kim), mother, fellow musicians and rappers as well as the media itself. With The Eminem Show, Slim turns the gun on himself -- critiquing his media persona and exploring his inner demons -- and in doing so, makes his most honest and thought-provoking album to date.
That's not to say that Eminem isn't still talking smack to Mom, Kim and fellow artists -- he is. It's just not as in your face as it's been in the past. These tirades are showcased to hilarious effect on the album's immensely catchy single "Without Me." Eminem raps "Moby/ you can get stomped by Obie, you 36-year-old bald headed fag blow me." Sure, the lyrics are uncouth, homophobic and immensely angry, but there's no denying it's funny.
On "Superman," a mesmerizing, misogynistic, diss-laden track, Eminem brutalizes Kim, as well as the entire female gender, by spewing spiteful raps ranging from "But I know one thing though, bitches they come they go" to "Don't touch what you can't grab, end up with two backhands/put anthrax on a tampax, and slap you till you can't stand."
The Eminem Show concludes the tension between Eminem and his mother on the heart-wrenching and ingeniously crafted "Cleanin Out My Closet" -- the album's best cut. A curious blend of fragility and furor, Eminem simultaneously apologizes for the pain he's caused his mother while lashing out at both her and his absentee father (Mom's a "selfish bitch" and Dad's a "faggot"). Listeners can clearly hear, and more so feel, the unhealed scars of Marshall Mathers' youth.
Through the rest of the disc, Eminem discusses the political ramifications of his skin color ("White America"), love for his daughter ("Hailie's Song"), how young children shouldn't be listening to his music ("Without Me" and "My Dad's Gone Crazy," which features Em's daughter, Hailie, in a hilariously eerie sample) and the repercussions of fame ("Say Goodbye Hollywood"). All in all these issues lend a certain credibility and depth to The Eminem Show that hasn't been exemplified by Eminem before.
Aside from "Without Me," there's nothing here that's as catchy or as commercially viable as "Stan," "The Real Slim Shady" or "My Name Is," but that's what The Eminem Show is -- an exercise in substance over style.
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