Relapse
by Eminem
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 1078 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 889 out of 1078
  2. Mixed: 114 out of 1078
  3. Negative: 75 out of 1078

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  1. TheeStranger
    Nov 5, 2009
    2
    I keep reading all these comments, and everybody going on and on about his first three golden records. The guy had TWO records: Slim Shady L.P. and Marshal Mathers L.P., the second of which was overplayed to death, and once he came out with The Eminem Show, crying about his mommy and all that crap, I tuned out (oh, and he's back at it again with this album). Well, I TRIED to tune I keep reading all these comments, and everybody going on and on about his first three golden records. The guy had TWO records: Slim Shady L.P. and Marshal Mathers L.P., the second of which was overplayed to death, and once he came out with The Eminem Show, crying about his mommy and all that crap, I tuned out (oh, and he's back at it again with this album). Well, I TRIED to tune out, but it was kind of hard with my best friend still loving and playing everything the guy crapped out to death. If you ask me, he's put out pretty much nothing but crap since Marshal Mathers, and I can't even listen to that record anymore I've heard it so much. Some of his 8 Mile soundtrack stuff was alright, I guess. I really love his first album (not Infinite; Infinite doesn't cout) for tracks such as "If I Had" and "As the World Turns". I loved the humor and his over-the-top comicbooky/horrorcore style, and his utilization of an evil alter-ego reminded me a lot of Kool Keith's Dr. Octagon. Actually, I see a big parallel in the two artists careers. They each put a classic debut solo album, and then a second, much more visceral and much angrier direct sequel... basically angry about the success of their first album. Anyway, gave this a try because a friend told me it was a return to form, and that I would like it since I really like the Slim Shady L.P. Well, after listening to it, it kinda sounds like that's what Eminem was going for with this record, but he fails horribly. This has got to be his worst record to date. If you ask me, I think the guy took "too much ?EEEEEEEEEEEEE ?".… Expand
  2. nandishh
    Sep 7, 2009
    9
    Relapse may not be Shady's best album, but by far definitely in his Top 3. All songs except Hello, Must Be The Ganja, Underground, Insane were awesome (my personal opinion). Same Song & Dance & Beautiful & Bagpipes From Baghdad were probably the Top 3 songs off the album. Relapse was kinda way too much on the "Relapse" side, Em should have had a majority of non-relapse/medical issue Relapse may not be Shady's best album, but by far definitely in his Top 3. All songs except Hello, Must Be The Ganja, Underground, Insane were awesome (my personal opinion). Same Song & Dance & Beautiful & Bagpipes From Baghdad were probably the Top 3 songs off the album. Relapse was kinda way too much on the "Relapse" side, Em should have had a majority of non-relapse/medical issue related songs. However the album, in my view deserves a 8.7/10 rating. Em might have been trying to save the best songs for "Relapse 2" - hope R2's a double-album. Relapse did not showcase Eminem's lyrical talent to the fullest. But no doubt, its one of the albums of the year. Metacritic was harsh on Em, but in rating of music albums - with its variety of genres- it is unfair to have a record rated by a single person. The rating committee should comprise of a majority of music critics of the genre of the album and maybe 30% of people form other closely related genres. This will achieve a more accurate and just rating.… Expand
  3. JamesV
    Aug 30, 2009
    7
    With Eminem gone from the game for 5 years, and with all the personal events that have happened in his life, I expected a more personal album addressing more serious issues. Instead, there are only 2 serious songs on this record. 'Beatiful" and 'De Ja Vu' are the only meaningful songs, and they are both great tunes. The rest of the album is filled with jokes and sick humor. With Eminem gone from the game for 5 years, and with all the personal events that have happened in his life, I expected a more personal album addressing more serious issues. Instead, there are only 2 serious songs on this record. 'Beatiful" and 'De Ja Vu' are the only meaningful songs, and they are both great tunes. The rest of the album is filled with jokes and sick humor. The accent he uses on every song except 3 is terrible, bringing songs like 'Bagpipes' from possibly enjoyable tunes, to barely listenable. From a hip hop perspective, Em still has it. His rhymes are very well crafted, he has good wordplay and some good lines on this album. But the retarded voice he chooses to use wrecks the record. There are a few really good songs, a few boring ones, and a few unlistenable ones. Maybe Relapse 2 will have more serious songs, and that's his idea, but if not I would've put at least a few more meaningful tunes on #1. Eminem still has it, but he didn't bring it on this album. At least he didn't bring everything we know he is capable of bringing.… Expand
  4. Chris
    Aug 24, 2009
    10
    Eminem comes in 2009 to make things better in hip hop and he's coming with a great album.he begins with his bloody "3 a.m." and continues with the songs "My Mom" and "Insane" which he blames his mothers for for his recent drug abuse and tells us in a genius way about his problems with his stepfather.The lbums has a lot of songs that he explains us what he went through during his Eminem comes in 2009 to make things better in hip hop and he's coming with a great album.he begins with his bloody "3 a.m." and continues with the songs "My Mom" and "Insane" which he blames his mothers for for his recent drug abuse and tells us in a genius way about his problems with his stepfather.The lbums has a lot of songs that he explains us what he went through during his addiction with drugs.He is more honest that anyone would expected.The songs "Deja Vu", "Beautiful" and "Underground" are (for me) masterpieces!!His intelligence and his skills can be seen in these songs.Surely better than Encore, Relapse is an awesome work from Eminem and is sure that fans are going to love it!… Expand
  5. KgosiP.
    Aug 19, 2009
    9
    Eminem,the rhyme king of all time.big up to that flow you produced in this album!
  6. D.Tail
    Aug 13, 2009
    10
    F*cking brilliant album and a serious comeback...Next one lose the accent tho slim.
  7. JimmyB
    Jul 31, 2009
    6
    Average CD, I expected a lot more out of Em. I would agree this is better than Encore, but Encore was garbage so that is not saying much. The stupid accent and the high pitched voice kills Dre's beats. There are a few good tracks, but over all very disappointing. I really wanted to like this album, but some of the stupid, forced shock value seemed like a desperate to bring back his Average CD, I expected a lot more out of Em. I would agree this is better than Encore, but Encore was garbage so that is not saying much. The stupid accent and the high pitched voice kills Dre's beats. There are a few good tracks, but over all very disappointing. I really wanted to like this album, but some of the stupid, forced shock value seemed like a desperate to bring back his old sound.… Expand
  8. JordanA
    Jul 27, 2009
    10
    Ok, any rating below an 8 is absolutely ridiculous. The album is great! Very creative. The lyrics are amazing. Every song has a meaning and tells a story. The album puts you in the shoes of the one and only Marshall Mathers. We get his point of view of what he was going through over the past couple of years. The critics need to stop expecting him to put out the "Greatest Album of Ok, any rating below an 8 is absolutely ridiculous. The album is great! Very creative. The lyrics are amazing. Every song has a meaning and tells a story. The album puts you in the shoes of the one and only Marshall Mathers. We get his point of view of what he was going through over the past couple of years. The critics need to stop expecting him to put out the "Greatest Album of All-Time". Lower your expectations for goodness sake. He's not Einstien. What he is though, is the Greatest Rapper of all-time and he is back and will be at the top of hip-hop once again.… Expand
  9. JonW.
    Jul 17, 2009
    2
    Being a fan, I felt obligated to give the album a chance so I've listened through it several times. Each time I am more and more disgusted. Remember when Slim Shady was a comical character whose ultra violent antics somehow came across as a clever joke? Now every "Shady" track is an excercise in sick, demented, trash that leaves you nauseous. This weird accent that I was hoping was Being a fan, I felt obligated to give the album a chance so I've listened through it several times. Each time I am more and more disgusted. Remember when Slim Shady was a comical character whose ultra violent antics somehow came across as a clever joke? Now every "Shady" track is an excercise in sick, demented, trash that leaves you nauseous. This weird accent that I was hoping was just a one time thing when the 3am single came out, hurts many songs on this disc and becomes nothing more than a gimmick to keep him from having rhyme. He devotes an entire song to whining about his mom. The christopher reeve's jokes have become not only offensive, but incredibly overused and documenting this rapper's detorioration of creativity. Eminem showed the world with his first three albums that he was one of the greatest lyrical artist of a generation. If you want to retain that image of him, avoid this awful cd, and do not hope for anything good to come from eminem in the future.… Expand
  10. ChrisS
    Jul 15, 2009
    2
    Once great, now just puts out crap like this. Avoid.
  11. JoshF
    Jul 13, 2009
    10
    As an album its an awesome piece of work, tells a real deep story... lookin' forward to the next album!
  12. BenP
    Jul 13, 2009
    6
    It has some keepers, some throwback into the lake songs. A sober Eminem trying to mix rehab/being sober with his old gimmick from his first albums. Not a good mix. I was hoping he'd lose the middle eastern accent, but it seems he can't shake it. It was good once in "Ass Like That". The accent ruins any song. It's nice to see him sober up, but I don't he'll ever be It has some keepers, some throwback into the lake songs. A sober Eminem trying to mix rehab/being sober with his old gimmick from his first albums. Not a good mix. I was hoping he'd lose the middle eastern accent, but it seems he can't shake it. It was good once in "Ass Like That". The accent ruins any song. It's nice to see him sober up, but I don't he'll ever be as golden as his first 3 albums.… Expand
  13. ShaneD
    Jul 11, 2009
    9
    Relapse has Eminem hitting on all cyllinders dishing out the witty wordplay and complex rhyme schemes over generally exceptional Dr. Dre beats. One can only wish there were a few more serious songs. If the album had a couple more personal recaords it may have been a classic. The general syle seems like a combanation of the MMLP and The Eminem Show.
  14. tacobell
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    This new album shows his most effort for being sober, return to the music scene and make good music. The songs are the mixing of razor sharp lyrics, vivid humors, haunted nightmares, honest tales and deep emotions. Unlike other artist's music, I found that different people have their own personal favorite Relapse track, not only the one that's been released for a single (which This new album shows his most effort for being sober, return to the music scene and make good music. The songs are the mixing of razor sharp lyrics, vivid humors, haunted nightmares, honest tales and deep emotions. Unlike other artist's music, I found that different people have their own personal favorite Relapse track, not only the one that's been released for a single (which is the best part in my eyes). Dr. Dre's beats are surprisingly catchy and have good replay value, especially when you listened to them with subwoofer. In my opinion, it is one of his best record Eminem should be proud of.… Expand
  15. ZacariasY
    Jul 1, 2009
    0
    The worst album of the year and one of the worst rap albums of the decade.
  16. ZackL
    Jun 29, 2009
    9
    Good, but not his best, and I'm not happy that he's titling his next album Relapse 2.
  17. SuleimanM.
    Jun 26, 2009
    7
    Relapse isn't the come back we were all hoping for, but it does more than enough to satisfy our Slim Shady needs. Excluding a few shallow tracks, Relapse is on the right track for what we hope will be an exceptional double album.
  18. MarekW
    Jun 23, 2009
    10
    This CD is crazy! Lyrics and flow are world class. Definitely the best Eminem album ever, in my opinion.
  19. RyanG
    Jun 22, 2009
    10
    This is is great album, I don't know what the hell is wrong with the critics. They must of been listening of too much of those crappy rappers like Souljaboytellem and Lil Wayne.
  20. MMe
    Jun 18, 2009
    9
    As with most recent Eminem albums there's certain songs that should be taken in context, and not literally or seriously. The tunes are excellent, love it.
  21. VinceG
    Jun 15, 2009
    10
    I love what Dr. Dre did with the beats. He mixed in some new things we're just not used to listening, which I found very interesting. Eminem did his half by creating flows that just couldn't go any better with the music. 10 hands down.
  22. JustinF
    Jun 14, 2009
    3
    Once a pop culture phenomenon exuberantly spilling his emotion regarding his troubled life, is now lacking substance and meaning. Relapse was worth a listen, only to realize I had to turn it off because the novelty that was Eminem has worn off.
  23. dant
    Jun 12, 2009
    10
    Fantastic, lyrically at his best with sick beats to back them up..eminem is finally back.
  24. CD
    Jun 10, 2009
    4
    I like Eminem, but to be honest this wasn't as great as all his "Stans" claim it to be. We are ALL happy to have him back but this album was less than average. It'd been a 7 or 8 maybe 4 years ago. But basically all he did was kinda rip off of Brotha Lynch on this one at times. I expect Relapse 2, due later this year, to be a lot better. C'mon suburbians, quit giving it I like Eminem, but to be honest this wasn't as great as all his "Stans" claim it to be. We are ALL happy to have him back but this album was less than average. It'd been a 7 or 8 maybe 4 years ago. But basically all he did was kinda rip off of Brotha Lynch on this one at times. I expect Relapse 2, due later this year, to be a lot better. C'mon suburbians, quit giving it 10's!! That's soooooo fake! REAL hip hop fans know what this album grades out at. Some of you frat boys need to listen to DOOM if you really want to hear word play! However, this IS bettter than Encore.… Expand
  25. blasblas
    Jun 7, 2009
    10
    Album is great, kinda on the trippy side, but damn he is one of the greatest. "Em" if you read this We all love your music we dont want you to stop but"Family" comes first. so we understand :)
  26. EvgenyV
    Jun 6, 2009
    10
    This is the ultimate Eminem album, which pleases all the real Eminem supporters. His rhymes are on point and his flow is incredible, the wordplay is fantastic. I love it.
  27. JosephA
    Jun 5, 2009
    8
    Awesome to hear Eminem again. The album is much better than Encore, if not for the beats alone (Dre), but his flow is really tight as well. As usual he's a ton more creative in terms of content and diversity in terms of delivery styles than 99% of the rappers out there (at least the ones I know). And though his schtick is a bit worn out, it's still a pretty entertaining album Awesome to hear Eminem again. The album is much better than Encore, if not for the beats alone (Dre), but his flow is really tight as well. As usual he's a ton more creative in terms of content and diversity in terms of delivery styles than 99% of the rappers out there (at least the ones I know). And though his schtick is a bit worn out, it's still a pretty entertaining album that transmits a good amount of urgency, schizophrenia and neurosis. It took me a couple of listens to really dig it. Too bad about the cover art, which I think sucks.… Expand
  28. ariang
    Jun 5, 2009
    9
    Very good album. razor sharp intelligent lyrics and fun to listen to. Dr.Dre's involvement very valuable and helps Eminem to concentrate on what he does best.
  29. AntonN
    Jun 2, 2009
    9
    This is exactly what HipHop needed! Back to the unique storytelling, the catchy hooks, banging beats and, head scratching wordplay! Eminem came with exactly with what I expected! Definately the best album of the year and one of my top three favorite Eminem albums no doubt!
  30. LanceU
    Jun 2, 2009
    9
    I can't stand critics sometimes. Most of them either hate Eminem's guts or hip hop in general. If he would have made a real mature album crying and lamenting about his drug addiction and best friend dying or about KIm they would be saying he's whiny. Can't take the music for what it is, just a raw lyricist that hasn't gotten soft or lost a step. They want him to I can't stand critics sometimes. Most of them either hate Eminem's guts or hip hop in general. If he would have made a real mature album crying and lamenting about his drug addiction and best friend dying or about KIm they would be saying he's whiny. Can't take the music for what it is, just a raw lyricist that hasn't gotten soft or lost a step. They want him to go away but he keeps coming back. I love it. The fly that you can't swat. The biggest artist of this decade. Make a whole page of bad reviews and he still wins. That must really piss people off.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2009
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 27
  3. Negative: 4 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Thankfully, producer Dr. Dre is there to temper the lyrical bloodletting, laying heavyweight hooks over even the most scabrous tales of family disturbia, and setting 'Bagpipes From Baghdad,' Em's inspired riff on rumored ex Mariah Carey, to snake-charming woodwind squiggles.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    60
    It's an impressively focused and clever work. But this music is not transcendent. It's still stuck in Marshall Mathers' muck, his fundamental mistrust of pleasure and love.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    By letting Dr. Dre take over the low-end-funk production, and rhyming about things he actually cares about, he comes up with a more painful, honest and vital record than anyone could have expected at this late date, up there with "The Eminem Show" or maybe even better.
    Read full review
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