Artist: Eminem Album: The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Year: 2013
Duration: 1:18:05

A Critical Review of Eminem's 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a name that is synonymous with the rap genre. Having sold over 150 million records worldwide, he is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' was released in 2013, 13 years after the release of the original 'Marshall Mathers LP'. As a long-time fan, I was eagerly waiting for this album to drop. However, after listening to it multiple times, I have a few opinions I’d like to share. In this blog post, I will provide a critical review of Eminem's 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2', discuss its music genre, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and provide a thorough critique of the album.

The 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' is classified as a rap album, with a mix of rap rock, hip-hop, and horrorcore music. The album's genre is consistent with Eminem's earlier work, as he has experimented with various styles and genres throughout his career. The album is packed with intense, profanity-laced lyrics, and an aggressive delivery style that fans of Eminem have come to expect.

The best songs on the album are 'Berzerk', 'Survival', 'Rap God', and 'Love Game'. 'Berzerk' and 'Survival' have an old-school hip-hop feel, while 'Rap God' showcases Eminem's lyrical prowess and quick delivery, as he spits out 157 words in just 16 seconds. 'Love Game' featuring Kendrick Lamar is a welcome collaboration that showcases both artist's talents.

The most innovative part of the album is Eminem's use of sampling in 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'. He samples Billy Squier's 'The Stroke' in 'Berzerk', and Joe Walsh's 'Life's Been Good' in 'So Far…'. These samples give the album a nostalgic feel and transport listeners to a different era of music.

Despite the album's strong points, there are instances where it falls short. The track 'Monster' featuring Rihanna has a catchy hook, but the verses are repetitive and lack substance. Similarly, 'Stronger Than I Was' is a song that sounds out of place on the album. Its slow tempo and lackluster lyrics are at odds with the intensity of the rest of the album.

In terms of the album's overall theme, it appears to be a sequel to the original 'Marshall Mathers LP'. While the production and energy of the album are exceptional, the lyrics feel uninspired at times. There are moments where Eminem attempts to revisit and recapture the success of the first 'Marshall Mathers LP', resulting in a predictable album that doesn't quite hit the mark.

Overall, 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' is a solid album that displays Eminem's range as an artist while revisiting the themes and sound of his earlier work. The album is a mixed bag of energetic tracks like 'Rap God' and forgettable ones like 'Stronger Than I Was'. Nevertheless, the album showcases Eminem as an artist that is willing to experiment with sounds and genres. As a long-time fan, I enjoyed revisiting the themes of the original 'Marshall Mathers LP' but wished for more lyrical depth and complexity throughout the album. For fans of Eminem and rap music, this album is worth a listen, but it falls short of being a classic.

Overall, 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' is a solid album that displays Eminem's range as an artist while revisiting the themes and sound of his earlier work. The album is a mixed bag of energetic tracks like 'Rap God' and forgettable ones like 'Stronger Than I Was'. Nevertheless, the album showcases Eminem as an artist that is willing to experiment with sounds and genres. As a long-time fan, I enjoyed revisiting the themes of the original 'Marshall Mathers LP' but wished for more lyrical depth and complexity throughout the album. For fans of Eminem and rap music, this album is worth a listen, but it falls short of being a classic.