By John Batanchiev
With fame based on controversy as well as witty lyrics, Eminem moves back to where he left after The Eminem Show on Encore. As one of the best and most infamous rappers Eminem unleashes one of his most personal albums, which is surprising, since he has talked about everything in his life. Now he’s just filling in the small gaps and resolving unfinished business.
As with all Eminem albums there is a track about Hallie (“Mockingbird”), Kim (“Puke,” “Crazy In Love”) and and Dr. Dre (“Encore”) but this album has an element that wasn’t apparent in the last albums. The production on Encore is similar to The Eminem Show, but shows that Eminem has grown as a producer in making some of the best beats in rap.
What makes Encore an interesting album to longstanding fans is his move to such serious topics. Eminem defends homosexuality on “Rain Man” with a deep conversation with Dr. Dre. He then switches to attack George W. Bush on the infamous “Mosh.” What stays true is Eminem spilling out what has been in his life. Unlike the last albums, the details make one feel like we don’t deserve to know, such as on “Mockingbird ,” where he raps “I’ll never forget that Christmas / I sat up the whole night / ’cause Daddy felt like a bum / see Daddy had a job / but his job was to keep the food on the table for you and mom.”
What is more surprising is Eminem’s frequent mentioning of God and religion on this album, a nonexistent topic on previous albums. The album opens up with Eminem pleading to God, “Lord please forgive me for what I do / for I know not what I’ve done.” Eminem screams out “maybe this is God just saying we’re responsible for this monster / this coward that we have empowered” on “Mosh” a sign of Eminem taking responsibility and maturing from the days of Slim Shady LP.
Fans that listened to Eminem for his jokes and quick laughs may find that Encore is a move away from that. There are jokes all around, but they are more thought provoking rather than out to get a laugh and less offensive compared to previous albums. Maybe he sums it up best “I don’t think my joke is working. I must flee quickly.”
Just like that Eminem has come with another album that seems like he has stretched himself without really going above the call of what most of his fans expect. Maybe they can never get another Marshall Mathers LP or Slim Shady LP but then again Encore isn’t supposed to be that and that’s the point.