Eminem: The Fall and Rise Of A Superstar - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Nehkara · 05-13-2009, 12:47 AM

While doing some reading about his latest album Relapse that comes out on May 19th, I came across an AMAZING article about "Marshall Bruce Mathers III"/Eminem/Slim Shady.

If you have any interest in the man at all, give this a read:

Eminem: The fall and rise of a superstar

Quote:

In one headline-grabbing endorsement, confirming him as the favourite cultural influence of the chattering classes, a white-haired Seamus Heaney declared him, in all seriousness, the saviour of modern poetry. "There is this guy Eminem," said the Nobel laureate. "He has created a sense of what is possible. He has sent a voltage around a generation. He has done this not just through his subversive attitude, but also his verbal energy."

Then, at the height of his remarkable fame, Eminem disappeared.

Quote:

By the middle of 2008, with his career still on hold and his private life in turmoil, concerned fans feared that Eminem was going the way of Michael Jackson. Former associates in Detroit described him as "missing in action".

More worryingly, reports began suggesting that Eminem had begun to doubt his own abilities to "hear a hit". He seemed consumed by self-doubt and destined for retirement. Though only in his mid-thirties, headline writers dubbed him the Howard Hughes of hip-hop, and said he'd never rap again.

But they were wrong.

I, personally, am a fan.

driveway · 05-13-2009, 01:19 AM

I eagerly anticipate this new album, though I'll admit that "We Made You" doesn't have the kind of lyrical viciousness I was hoping for and reminds me a little too much of some of the made-for-pop-radio cuts off Encore and Curtain Call.

I'm hoping for a return to the Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers era emotional depth, with a little more aged worldliness thrown into the wash with the visceral rage.

Nehkara · 05-13-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driveway

I eagerly anticipate this new album, though I'll admit that "We Made You" doesn't have the kind of lyrical viciousness I was hoping for and reminds me a little too much of some of the made-for-pop-radio cuts off Encore and Curtain Call.

I'm hoping for a return to the Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers era emotional depth, with a little more aged worldliness thrown into the wash with the visceral rage.

You may know this already but so much material was generated when recording Relapse that "Relapse 2" is being released this fall. This will be a year full of Eminem.

FanIn80 · 05-13-2009, 01:50 AM

I already have it. It may have to grow on me... Marshal Mathers LP and Eminem Show clicked for me right away, though. I'm not crazy about this new "accent" he's using on about 90% of the album.

Traditional_Ale · 05-13-2009, 01:50 AM

Nm

Ozy_Flame · 05-13-2009, 08:34 AM

Eminem has become far too predictable. If history is any indication, his songs are either maniacal parodies of pop culture, or depressing lullabies of family and celebrity life.

Yawn. How long have we been seeing this for now? 10 years?

@theCBE · 05-13-2009, 08:46 AM

I have heard the CD. I would say it better then the last two.. not as good as Marshall Mathers... We made you is by far the worst track on the CD. Not much whinning about the pressures of being a celebrity. I don't think he mentioned his daughters name even once. It is mostly just him being over the top vulgar, making fun of everybody, or making absolutely no sense. The delivery is impressive... lots of good Dre beats too.

Having said all of that I think I may have outgrown his music.

corporatejay · 05-13-2009, 08:53 AM

When Eminem hit the scene in 99 he was instantly one of my favorites. I remember my friends and I trying to get our hands on his bootlegs, mix tapes etc...

For me, the height of his career was 8 mile. Since then, as Ozy has put it, Eminem has become far too predictable. Crack a bottle is a fun song, but hardly revolutionary.

Also, I read this article http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,4440369.story and it nearly caused my eyes to roll through the back of my head.

"Spitting venom" at pop celebrities is old news Marshall, why don't you try something new. Next thing you know he'll record a hilarious "'Nsync is gay blast." Give it a rest already, it's time someone grows up.

rockstar · 05-13-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

mNm

Fixed

BergyBoy · 05-13-2009, 08:57 AM

Eminem - Beautiful is by far the best song on the album. Got a When I'm Gone feel.

troutman · 05-13-2009, 09:19 AM

Two Stars - Spin. Four Stars - Rolling Stone.

http://www.spin.com/reviews/eminem-relapse-interscope

Relapse is undiluted world-hate, a comeback record that screams: Don't you wish I was still gone?!

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/...123843/relapse

All that negative energy helps him fight the temptation to become comfortably numb. If you hate Em, he probably wouldn't blame you. But Relapse is reason to be glad he's still around.

Gozer · 05-13-2009, 09:22 AM

Who?

ok, ok,....I get it · 05-13-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozer

Who?

wrong band....but give them a few years I am sure they will do another farewell tour

mikey_the_redneck · 05-13-2009, 09:35 AM

I just heard one of his new tracks on the radio this morning and I thought to myself "who takes this $hit seriously?"...............its the same crap over and over. He's right up there with Britney Spears in my mind.

Eminem.............please just go away and never come back.

FlamesAddiction · 05-13-2009, 09:36 AM

I am not really a fan.... and that new song sounds horrible. When he says, "Kill them.. Kill them", he seriously sounds like he is trying to sound like someone with mental disabilities.

My friend, who is (or was) a fan, played the song and we both started laughing at that part.

malcolmk14 · 05-13-2009, 10:06 AM

I like Eminem, but he is one artist who you absolutely cannot judge based on his radio releases. They're horrible for the most part. You really need to listen to his albums and the stuff that doesn't get on the radio to appreciate him.

That said, his last two albums sucked. And this new one is better, but not on par with the earlier stuff.

North East Goon · 05-13-2009, 10:25 AM

I alway's thought RAP was all about the beat. You put a sick beat behind Dion Phaneuf doing an interview and it will be a great song. Most people could care less about the message, I am however a big fan of the song Stan, love the message and love the feel of that tune. He is a 36 year old multi-millionaire and will not be able to maintain his crazy, woe me I am a bad a$$ attitude anymore.

Sainters7 · 05-13-2009, 10:34 AM

Wow, interesting! I don't really keep up with the music industry, and I just assumed he was doing more behind the scenes stuff lately, like producing(didn't he discover 50 Cent?). I had no idea he had been spit out of the industry like that.

Also, is it just me, or does he look really skinny in that new video?(which is a terrible song btw)

Hustle · 05-13-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I like Eminem, but he is one artist who you absolutely cannot judge based on his radio releases. They're horrible for the most part. You really need to listen to his albums and the stuff that doesn't get on the radio to appreciate him.

This. I'm not even an Eminem fan.. but I know better than to judge him based on his radio singles. The guy isn't an idiot. He knows that controversy and a catchy hook will garner controversy (and sales). Add the fact that the guy hasn't been in the spotlight for five years and is returning to an increasingly fickle rap/music industry.. and that's why 'We Made You' ends up as his lead single.

Like I said, I'm not a fan.. but the guy is one of better lyricists in all of music when he puts his mind to it... problem is that he's content to settle far too often.

Igottago · 05-13-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North East Goon

I alway's thought RAP was all about the beat. You put a sick beat behind Dion Phaneuf doing an interview and it will be a great song. Most people could care less about the message, I am however a big fan of the song Stan, love the message and love the feel of that tune. He is a 36 year old multi-millionaire and will not be able to maintain his crazy, woe me I am a bad a$$ attitude anymore.

Disagree...it might seem that way based on mainstream music, but I think rap by definition is (or at least should be) about the wordplay and the best rap has storytelling in it.

Re: Eminem, I can't claim to be a huge fan but I think he has some talent. I was hoping a guy like him would come back with something quite emotional and personal but his first single where he's talking smack about the celebrities of the day is a pretty lazy effort, just grab the Eminem single template, change some names. The fact that he even found it necessary to include a song like that makes me less interested in hearing what he has to say with the rest of the album, because it was an obvious attempt to cater to what mtv will put on their playlist. If he was really as authentic as he claims to be he wouldn't even bother with crap like that.