Eminem's Relapse Album is a Hit

Eminem's recently released album "Relapse" is chronicling Eminem's addiction to drugs. In this 20-track album, he effectively produces an outstanding album, while giving us quite a forshadowing into his upcoming album titled "Relapse 2"

Dr. West - A great introduction to the album. It sparks his initial beginnings to his potential relapse, as "Dr. West" prescribes him pills after he is released from rehab and influences Marshall Mathers to experiment with drugs and alcohol even though he was just released. Overall, this track sets the mood for the entire album and is a great lead in to the next track 3am.

3am - The first time I heard this song, I thought, "Geez, another sub-par song released by Em." After listening to Dr. West and watching the video for this song, I realized this song was much deeper than I initially realized. Though this song details many different murders, this is obviously some symbolism for how pills and drugs can make your memories hazy, and Eminem had nothing to do with these murders directly. He is explaining how these drugs can affect one's body. This song is one of my favorites from the entire album and it really sets a mood, much like "Dr. West," to the entire album.

My Mom - This is one of the most interesting songs of the album. He is basically saying that during his childhood he experienced the pain of his mother being addicted to drugs, and more specifically, vallium. And through his mother's addiction, he grew the same addiction in his life. He relates his mother to himself directly though this song. "My Mom" is one of Eminem's more catchy songs on the album, but it should not be considered one of his cheesy singles, because it is nowhere near those songs.

Insane - Here is one of his more interesting songs. The first verse is just gruesome, as he explains how awful his stepfather was to him (this being put very G-rated for the article's sake). This song caught me early on in that it is a very interesting and catchy song that analyzes how insane Eminem really is. Overall, I would say this is a song to enjoy, in a twisted way, in itself.

Bagpipes From Baghdad - Here is the first diss song of the album. He rips on Mariah Carey by satirizing their alleged breakup, and though this song seems like an easy skip, do not do it. This song is very interesting in that he is mad about something and it brought out his best. Nick Cannon even lashed out after hearing this song made fun of his wife, Mariah Carey.

Hello - Here is one of the better songs on the album. "Hello" has a great hook and a nice beat, but more importantly it announces his severe problem with drugs and alcohol. Mathers raps about his problem with how he is obtaining his drugs of choice. This song can sum up the entire album as it deals so much with his relapse.

Tonya (Skit) - This skit leads right into the next track, Same Song & Dance. It begins with a rainy night where Tonya's car breaks down and she goes for help and finds Eminem. Let's just say it was a bad decision...

Same Song & Dance - After listening to Tonya, this song is easily one of the best songs on the album. I can envision this song to be along the likes of his earlier work like "Kim." It just isn't quite ready for the mainstream public. Take a listen for yourself, as this song is just way too disturbing to even begin to analyze it in this review.

We Made You - Worst song by far on the album. As this is the first single released for "Relapse," one could predict that this would be just another diss song by "Slim Shady" that sparks some controversy in the media. You would be completely right. This song has already sparked plenty of controversy, even though it is probably the worst song of the album.

Medicine Ball - This is a nice rebound to We Made You. Though it is a little poppy and I could see it being popular with the mainstream, it is a very entertaining song that bashes on itself at times by even rapping in the perspective of Christopher Reeve. So let me leave this song at this, "I guess it's time for you to hate me again."

Paul (Skit) - This little skit is a follow up to "Medicine Ball." The purpose to this skit is to let the audience know not to take the song too seriously. The skit isn't that great or anything at all, but it serves its purpose.

Stay Wide Awake - One of my favorite songs of the album. This song just screams classic Eminem. The wordplay on this track and his "flow" will keep you wide awake and also entertained.

Old Time's Sake - Boring, lame, awful. 3 words out of many that could describe this song. Old Time's Sake is one of the singles already released for the album, but it just has nothing special. The only reason to listen to this track is that it samples some of Dr. Dre and even features him. If that doesn't interest you, then just skip the song since it has adds nothing to the album.

Must Be The Ganja - Though this song is passable, I can see this track as becoming a cult classic. Just looking at the name of the song explains it all. "Must Be The Ganja" serves its purpose, but I have to admit that it is quite catchy. Unlike the prior song, Old Time's Sake, this song actually is relevent to the album and is worth listening to. It is both catchy, fun, and relevent.

Mr. Mathers (Skit) - This skit is a lead in to Deja Vu. This is a very important skit in the album, as this states Eminem's turn to the overdose.

Deja Vu - Deja Vu is actually a great explanation of how the drugs affects one's life. This is one of his darker songs and shows that Eminem still has this side of him and hasn't sold out at all quite yet. Though the chorus isn't the greatest, this track explains the repetitiveness of drug addiction. This song is worth a listen and really makes you think.

Beautiful - I could compare this song to "Way I Am." These are not comparable in the sense of the content, but both songs show Eminem pouring his heart out and states it as a "take it or leave it" attitude. This song pretty much says how difficult it is to be in anybody's shoes. Everybody has their problems and must deal with them somehow.

Crack A Bottle - As catchy and popular this song is, it is just a single. Its a joke-y song made just to have fun and make a dime or two doing it. Though I have to admit that I do enjoy listening to this song, it doesn't really go well with the album. Most of his singles do not link well to the rest of his albums, so I am not suprised. Overall, I would say that this song will appeal to the mainstream crowd and the teenagers, but the hardcore fans will not enjoy this song at all.

Steve Berman (Skit) - This is a funny little skit. It makes fun of Eminem and how he left the music industry for a while, and also pokes fun at his entire premise of the album. It is the funniest skit of the album and leads into by far the BEST song on the album.

Underground/Ken Kaniff - BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM. This proves that Em is back. Oh my God, when I heard this song I instantly couldn't wait for Relapse 2. There is just so much to say about this track and Em's wordplay and alliteration is uncanny. If you are going to listen to any of the songs on this album, this is the one to listen to. Many will just listen to Crack a Bottle and We Made You, but you are smarter than those people. Listen to Underground/Ken Kaniff. I can guarantee you will not leave disappointed.