Upon hearing that Eminem was abandoning the Slim Shady/Relapse style I was excited. While I enjoyed Relapse I thought a Eminem Show type EM would better fit, especially considering there have been so much drama over the past seven years. I was concerned to learn Eminem and Dre wouldn't be producing the majority of the album. With that being said I will start my review
1.Cold Wind Blow - A decent beat. I liked it. A good pace setter to the album.4/5
2.Talking to myself - This song features Kobe. I had never heard of him before. But was impressed he added a lot to this song. He goes back to darker times in his life, back after encore. Times when he was dealing with proof dieing and writers block. Very interesting song. He also offers an apology for encore and relapse. "Them last two albums didn't count/encore I was on drugs/Relapse I was flushing them out" 5/5, really great song.
3. On Fire - Love the beat. He has a deep voice. Bitter,angry. Almost like something off the MMLP.I don't care for the chorus, which is a continued problem through out the album. Strong 4/5
4.Won't back down - This song has pink in it. Which is surprising. Also a little surprising is the rock oriented back. I don't care much for it. It sounds like a poorly made freestyle. Pink is the best part. And if that's the case on an Eminem song, you know there is problems. 2/5
5. W.T.P - Which stands for "White Trash Party". The beat is good, I don't really like the song. Bad Chorus, uninspired lyrics. 3/5
6. Going Though Changes - A really interesting sample of Ozzy Osbourne. I think it fits the song well. Emo Em song. Decent song if you are in a Beautiful type mood. 3/5
7. Not Afraid - First single from album. I don't like how to beat is mixed. I also don't like Eminem's singing on the song, another thing that is a complaint throughout the album. Comparing it to past albums first singles it is good. But to the high standard of music Eminem is held to, it doesn't hold up. 2/5
8. Seduction - Great song. About the women that come in and out of his life. I really enjoyed the beat. The entire song has a chilled, consistent flow to it. 4/5
9. No Love - Has Lil Wayne on it. I enjoy both verses, but a major problem with this song. It has a sample of Haddaway what is love. I understand Eminem wanting to grow as an artist and do different things, but I am not a fan of that sample. Still, the song gets an 3/5
10. Space Bound - Another relationship song. Lyrics are very tight. Chorus isn't good at all. Derails the song for me. Thankfully Eminem is able to get it back on track. 3/5
11. Cinderella Man - Nice song. Creative beat, electric lyrics and a decent Chorus. 4/5
12. 25 to Life - I like it. It took a couple listens for this song to really hook me, but it's all around good. 5/5
13. So Bad - I actually like Eminem on this Chorus. A cocky song, not so bad. Not so great either. 3/5
14. Almost Famous - Angry Em. Angry Em works in the beat. I don't like who ever this girl is on the chorus. Another chorus that takes away from a really creative EM. 3/5
15. Love The Way You Lie - Rihanna is on this song. I have never really listened to her much. She has a nice voice and fits in on this song. The beat isn't that original, but I really can't complain about it. Another song about women. It's OK 3/5
16. You're Never Over - Don't like the beat,Not the best Eminem singing, but it fits this type of song. I might have to give it a few more listens. But right now I'm not loving it. 2/5
17.Untitled - I guess this is the secret song on the album. Doesn't really fit the rest of the album. It's OK. I appreciate every Eminem song to an extant. Not sure it should have made the album. 3/5
I have listened to it twice. And so far I like it a lot. I am glad the accent is gone. It is good to hear Eminem. His last album was all Shady. This is pretty much all Em. Considering he has already put out so much material it is really refreshing to see him stay so creative. I do think the production and guest appearances hurt him a little. I liked how he used to produce all himself and not he many people on the album. But that's change and what being an artist is about.
Recovery gets a overall 3/5
