21/6/10
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The world’s most controversial and multi-talented rapper, Eminem releases the follow-up to
‘Relapse’.
Something is clearly troubling Marshall Mathers, he even raps about being
embarrassed over his excellent previous. This record features unexpected
collaborations and a notably different style.
Opener, ‘Cold Wind Blows’ actually takes a few listens to register as what it is – a profanely fine tune. Em is back using the word “faggot” and it really feels like he’s shed a few shackles in this dark and bizarre start. Next comes one of the
finest efforts here, the first collaboration, ‘Talkin’ 2 Myself’ with Kobe singing majestically over a strummed beat. The song follows on from
the soul searching of ‘Relapse’ and Em bares his flaws as only he can.
However it’s not all good news. The contradicting ‘On Fire’ disses the likes of David Cook and Brooke Hogan for being a “flash in the pan”, ironic when the previous one expresses his immense regret at hitting out at
Lil Wayne, due to the place he was in. The flow is obviously fine but there’s just something lazy about this. A bizarre collaboration with P!nk (further contradicting his ‘hate all popstars’ ethos) on ‘Won’t Back Down’ sees a tame vocal from the not-so-pink one and a dull composition. ‘W.T.P.’ is further uninspired ramblings and such themes seem to have been done by him so
many times before.
Following on from Eminem’s love of meaty samples (‘Stan’, ‘Beautiful’, ‘Sing for the Moment’) comes ‘Going Through Changes’ featuring a mighty Ozzy (Black Sabbath) vocal. It again builds on the state of mind of ‘Relapse’ but it just doesn’t sound great. Of course the opening single, ‘Not Afraid’ is a fantastic return to form and another real anthem of Eminem’s. And Boi-1da’s back behind the decks for the ‘The Way I Am’ moment of ‘Seduction’ – unforgiving delivery and crashing beats. ‘No Love’ with the aforementioned Wayne, samples Haddaway’s ‘What is Love’ briefly. A dream team on paper; on record it would work better without Wayne who
simply gets blown away by Mathers’ unstoppable delivery.
‘Space Bound’ is more off-the-wall than you can imagine with a bizarrely addictive bridge that
borrows from the most emotive 80s tracks. ‘Cinderella Man’ almost turns into a chanting session as Em makes the mistake of getting too
inspired by the flicks (See Jay-Z’s ‘American Gangster’). The emotive ’25 to Life’ – about Em’s tempestuous association with wife Kim is however, a fantastic diamond in the
rough. ‘So Bad’ with Dre on the beat is a rollback to ‘Old Time’s Sake’, without the Doc’s vocals. It’s kinda catchy but just doesn’t catch fire.
‘Almost Famous’ features a distressed female vocal bridge and Eminem’s delivery is fast, raw and a throwback to ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ – immensely powerful and a stonker. ‘Love the Way You Lie’ with Rihanna further ostracizes him from his collaborator, but her electrifying
choruses and some strong flow by Em make this a classic. ‘You’re Never Over’ about Proof is a very personal tribute which is a little bit indulgent.
Released - 18/6/10
Label - Shady
7th studio album
- Love the Way You Lie
- Talkin’ 2 Myself
- Cold Wind Blows
- Not Afraid
- Seduction
- Space Bound
- 25 to Life
- On Fire
- Cinderella Man
- Won’t Back Down
Style-wise this is a more classic approach from Eminem. But dissing ‘Relapse’, which was his finest work
since ‘Marshall Mathers’ was an odd and unjustified move. This is not as good as that record and in many
places disappoints, though it’s probably his most ambitious record yet and in terms of rapping, he has never
sounded better.
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6.5
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The eclectically gravelly Macy Gray releases her fifth record.
Macy Gray is probably better known Stateside, with only her first two records
charting well here. Still with some celebrity backers, she returns.
The opening titletrack is classically formulated with a thumping beat, much in
the style of Beyoncé’s ‘Halo’. It has a soulful rhythm, powerful vocals and a generally likeable feel too,
which helps. ‘Lately’ opens a bit like ‘Could It Be Magic?’ before exploding into upbeat, infectious grooves. This track has single written
over it with a synthesized commercial vibe and is as pleasing on the ear as one
could wish.
Gray teams up with rockers, the Slash-led Velvet Revolver on ‘Kissed It’ and they contribute a typically pulsating guitar-led energy, backing up yet
another commercially-friendly tune. It’s the sort of beat one might give to Adam Lambert but Macy does rock-chick well,
with more soul. ‘Still Hurts’ is styled like a hip-hop, calypso beat with unknown songstress, Romika,
providing the emo. It actually sounds like something The Saturdays might
consider and that should tell you where this goes.
Opening single, ‘Beauty in the World’ talks of “blue skies and butterflies” and no doubt Magic FM was licking their lips when this dropped on the playlist.
It’s just a bit too gooey and typical to really register as anything original. ‘Help Me’ is somewhat more downbeat and features fast delivery by Gray which works well,
complementing the well-timed melodies. It’s a bit gospel, but essentially fine.
Gray finally unquestionably ticks the memorable tune box with the standout
effort, ‘Let You Win’. Continuing the self-examination theme, it flows well and feels remarkably
fresh. Old-school James Brown is undoubtedly the influence for ‘That Man’. It has more brass than even Mark Ronson would allow and a catchy rhythm that
reminds one of The Supremes. A whirring electro buzz accompanies the
over-bearing girlfriend song in ‘Stalker’. It even quotes Cars’ classic ‘Who’s Gonna Drive You Home’ as it manifests into a powerful, offbeat soul record. Bobby Brown guests on ‘Real Love’ and the stars don’t shine as bright as they might in this sickly romp which almost breaks down
into mindless chanting.
Macy revisits her sharp and echoing growling on the retro electro ‘On & On’. This one has nice melodic backing; a thumping, yet invigorating digital beat
and some outrageous style. ‘The Comeback’ ends with reminiscent and remorseful musings over a progressively inspiring
chorus. It again flows so well with both rhythm and vocal and the lyrics are
pretty much as open as you would hope.
Released - 22/6/10
Label - Island
5th studio album
- The Sellout
- Lately
- Help Me
- Let You Win
- That Man
- Stalker
- On & On
- The Comeback
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9
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In a cliché, Macy’s back! This is a mature, polished and off-the-wall collection of mostly stellar
efforts that will both impress and surprise, excellent really.
