It was with great apprehension that I slid The Marshall Mathers LP 2 into my car’s stereo. I hadn’t properly listened to an Eminem album since the original Marshall Mathers LP – despite the occasionally interesting tracks they just hadn’t grabbed me. But that album…well that was on high rotation for years. This? It’s not bad. It’s not great. It’s just Eminem.
Lead single Berzerk is fun but slightly bewildering. It sounds like a recording of the Beastie Boys challenging 5ive to a rap battle at a house party hosted by the Sugarhill Gang. Eminem’s rapping talent is on full display in tracks like Rap God, while another collaboration with Rihanna on The Monster is a solid pop song, although it lacks the soul of the their earlier effort Love The Way You Lie. Flavour of the month Kendrick Lamar makes a decent appearance on the rather chipper Love Game, mentioning blowjobs about 94 times. Oh, and Skylar Grey is horrible on A**Hole.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 will probably be enjoyable to anyone who’s been rooting for Eminem’s return to form since the days of The Eminem Show. Don’t expect the oppressive magic of the original, just enjoy it for what it is.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
Best Track: Berzerk.
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Not a clue.
In A Word: Diverse.
