Eminem

Recent Eminem albums have displayed an obsession with making the most impressive raps, yet few of these “hits” register in the memory like his earlier material.

The best of the three new songs is easily “Is This Love (’09)”, a satisfying Dr. But it’s the strength of his more recent material (or lack of) that ultimately stops this being a record to recommend – the “Eminem sound” the first “Curtain Call” could accurately collate and celebrate (given 100% of it was produced by either Dre or Em) has been pushed aside in favor of party trick flows and quick-win hooks from guests. The fact this is the first Eminem album not to debut at #1 (it reached #6 in the States and ironically, higher in the UK at #3) in its first week is a testament to the fact his fans already have this music, the casual listener is less interested in modern Eminem, and a generation of Eminem’s older fans just don’t connect with this music like his earlier material. “From the D 2 Tha LBC” is a peculiar record with Em joined by Snoop Dogg, with the former rapping about marijuana and the latter speeding up his flow to mimic his partner in rhyme. Memorable singles like “Guilty Conscience” and “The Way I Am” didn’t crack the top 50 in the States, but were Top 10 elsewhere. While a Brit may question the decision to alter a winning formula, it’s increased his grasp on the American music industry and explains why he remains so popular, if not more popular, in 2022. The first “Curtain Call” arrived in time for Christmas 2005 and was radio smash after radio smash. “Survival” is one of those rock-rap blends that manages to work thanks to it’s simple beat and avoids that the whininess that “Crack a Bottle” and “Not Afraid” still suffer from. “Stan”, widely considered to be the Eminem song (aside from Oscar winner “Lose Yourself”) peaked at #51 in the United States. Recent Eminem albums have displayed an obsession with making the most impressive raps, yet few of these “hits” register in the memory like his earlier material. It’s actually difficult to see the style of songs on “Curtain Call 2” being successful if it wasn’t the most successful rapper in history performing them. [Curtain Call: The Hits](http://www.rapreviews.com/2005/12/eminem-curtain-call-the-hits/)” in name, but delivers a very different selection of Eminem’s music from the latter part of his career (2009-2022).