Revival
by Eminem
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1269 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 690 out of 1269
  2. Mixed: 207 out of 1269
  3. Negative: 372 out of 1269
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  1. LinttaFlamingo
    Dec 22, 2017
    2
    What a rubbish album. Almost all the beats and melodies were boring or annoying, the lyrics were constantly underwhelming despite Eminem's flow and some of the sampling choices are absolutely atrocious and used in a weird way, especially in the song "Remind Me" which was absolute ****.
    The obvious hit song of the album "River" felt way too familiar to his other hit songs especially when    What a rubbish album. Almost all the beats and melodies were boring or annoying, the lyrics were constantly underwhelming despite Eminem's flow and some of the sampling choices are absolutely atrocious and used in a weird way, especially in the song "Remind Me" which was absolute ****.
    The obvious hit song of the album "River" felt way too familiar to his other hit songs especially when it comes to song structure and it was very forgettable. There's also the song "Tragic Endings" which was straight up demo material and felt very out of place, probably a last minute add. There were two songs that were much better, "Nowhere Fast" and "Offended" but they were also very mediocre at best and "Offended" is absolutely ruined by a chorus that's just tosh.

    What a shame.    … Expand
  2. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    2
    A painful listen with unbearable performances from Eminem. He's a corny, watered down, and overall horrendous version of himself on this record. The reason it isn't a 0 or 1 is because of a couple passable verses and a couple really good features (Beyonce and Ed Sheeran).
  3. Iskorka
    Jan 7, 2018
    2
    I can say "It's not hip-hop, it's pop" about Recovery, which is awful, but Revival isn't like this, it's just a piece of garbage. There's a lot of awful mainstream trap-like **** and when the song is not an awful mainstream trap-like **** it's a freaking audio book. There's a few "not this bad" songs and one OK song (Castle), all the others are just a purification of ****
  4. MusicalButter
    Dec 24, 2017
    2
    The album was released with such hype. The sequel to his two other average albums, Relapse and Recovery see Eminem approaching a clear tumble down the ranks. Despite still being one of the most recognised figures in music it doesn't seem to be his prime in this day and age.
  5. CORNROWKENNY
    May 13, 2018
    2
    This is probably Eminems worst album, which is saying a lot. There is no coherence in terms of lyrical content or production except for both being mostly awful.
    The Rick Rubin rock tracks are terrible, the samples are lazy and many beats sound like demos. There are desperate attempts to make a hit, but they sound like pop songs from around 2010. It's like Recovery, but even lazier.    This is probably Eminems worst album, which is saying a lot. There is no coherence in terms of lyrical content or production except for both being mostly awful.
    The Rick Rubin rock tracks are terrible, the samples are lazy and many beats sound like demos. There are desperate attempts to make a hit, but they sound like pop songs from around 2010. It's like Recovery, but even lazier. There's a lot of terrible Eminem singing too.
    The lyrics are often cringeworthy (there are so many terrible punchlines), and there is almost nothing new thematically. Eminem raps about failed relationships, his past drug abuse, being a serial killer, how great he is and occasionally about politics (there isn't nearly as much political stuff on this album as some people claim). Been there, done that. His anti trump hymn is well intentioned, but it brings nothing new to the table and fails to be as biting as his BET freestyle. It's to concerned with being a radio pop hit (which it failed to become).
    The only highiights are the lead single and opening track "Walk on Water", which finds Eminem struggling with his own expectations and those of fans and critics. To bad this humble stance he takes is pointless, since there is so much "I'm the best"-talk on the rest of the album. The other tracks worth listening to close the album out. "Castle" and "Arose" are about Eminems near fatal overdose, and even though we've heard him tell this story a lot by now, the tracks are well crafted and quite touching. They also sound like they belong on the same album, unlike the majority of the songs on here.
    The Rest of "Revival" is just unfocused, badly written and badly produced. One can only wonder why Eminem, on of the best MC's ever, insists on making these poppy albums that sound like they were recorded a decade ago. Without being mastered. It's not like he needs the money or anything, and album sales show that this isn't even what the people want.
    "Revival" sounds like Eminem didn't even really try, and if he did, he's really out of touch with his audience and hip hop in general.    … Expand
  6. freshie
    Jan 9, 2018
    2
    This album was very difficult to listen from beginning to end and give a chance to grow on me. The beats and most melodies are absolutely dismal and often cringe worthy. While I can't fault Eminem's message and lyrical ability that has deservedly granted Em a legendary status; it's hard to hear the messages he's trying to present over such horrid instrumentals and hooks. His new jitterThis album was very difficult to listen from beginning to end and give a chance to grow on me. The beats and most melodies are absolutely dismal and often cringe worthy. While I can't fault Eminem's message and lyrical ability that has deservedly granted Em a legendary status; it's hard to hear the messages he's trying to present over such horrid instrumentals and hooks. His new jitter flow just doesn't work.… Expand
  7. ChrisSoTru
    Feb 26, 2018
    2
    First and foremost, if you're looking for an authentic rap album, get ready to be disappointed.

    Eminem, obviously, is one of the highest ranked rappers of all-time, surpassing those in the rap game with powerful, yet casually controversial lyrics. Post-Encore Eminem had changed up his style to a more serious and concrete tone, and left many rap fans in awe from his last project, TMMLP    First and foremost, if you're looking for an authentic rap album, get ready to be disappointed.

    Eminem, obviously, is one of the highest ranked rappers of all-time, surpassing those in the rap game with powerful, yet casually controversial lyrics. Post-Encore Eminem had changed up his style to a more serious and concrete tone, and left many rap fans in awe from his last project, TMMLP 2. In his album, Eminem gets personal and talks more in-depth with his drug abuse and the impact it left upon Marshall himself, and his family, while taking some personal shots at the POTUS Donald Trump, and sneaking in some tracks that were very "Shady-like" , much to the contradiction of literally everything that Eminem tried to somewhat show us.

    Overall, this album is a mess. A bunch of collaborations featuring a variety of soft-core pop stars to make rather tired out music. It is unsure what purpose this album holds. Judging from the cover, it's supposed to be a political album? A political album that has Em convert back to Slim Shady and tries to cover his other dirty laundry? The album is equivalent to hearing your grandfather ramble on one subject, and inconsistently switching back and forth with the unexpected.

    It is odd seeing Eminem desperately adapt the triple-flow that is dominating the rap game to this date. We've known him for being a creator in the rap game, whether it'd be his hard-hitting sound or his pace on the mic skills. This album is effortless, and tries too hard to get along with the recent demographic of the new generation. It does not help that Dr. Dre has only done around 30 seconds of production on the final product. To have Rick Rubin continue sampling rock into a rap track on a confusing album like this is bound for disaster.

    The light I see upon this album is the vocals from the talents addressed earlier. They are without a doubt efficient when it comes to singing, but I just do not like the oversaturation of them in this tougher genre. You can make a great Eminem album with Skylar Grey, but do not force-feed us with Ed Sheeran and more P!nk. I also found interest on the honest discussions towards Eminems family and his struggle to recuperate after his drug abuse The seriousness of Eminem's personal life is a serious factor that made him so renowned, and that is what carried the second half of this project.

    Sadly, there was too much going on, and too much contradiction against what a real Eminem album should be. As bad as this album was, Eminem should not be doubted if he dares try again in the near future.    … Expand
  8. C_dot
    May 22, 2019
    2
    Eminem becomes everything he hates on this album. He is washed up, making nothing but poor pop tracks and rapping about Trump on the whole album. He shoots for To Pimp A Butterfly, but instead creates a heaping pile of garbage.
  9. SKSK
    Aug 8, 2018
    2
    The album sounds like a demo, a really bad one. I wonder who actually wrote the album, eminem or a 13-year-old. The answer may be both, eminem's immaturity is unquestionable.
  10. rextree
    Feb 24, 2019
    2
    This album, aside from the last two songs, gives me a headache. They relied too much on "Walk on Water" to become the next Bohemian Rhapsody and it didn't work. Will go down as a weak comeback album.
  11. TheHound1
    Mar 14, 2021
    2
    This album is an absolute piece of **** except for like a couple of songs. Too much pop, too much singing, not enough Slim Shady.
  12. Kyle_Peake
    Jan 28, 2020
    2
    A lot of unfitting production and cheesy lyrics, though "River" is a standout track. Outside of that, "Castle" and "Like Home" are the only average songs. As a fan it's disappointing.
  13. Zlatan47
    Jan 17, 2020
    2
    Easily Eminem’s worst album. Three years later, only a handful of songs are worth revisiting, and those aren’t exactly career highs, framed being the stand out
  14. drepoo
    Feb 23, 2020
    2
    It hurts to give Eminem this score... Pop features, bad hooks, weak lyrics spoil the entire album. There are acceptable songs like Bad Husband and Offended if you remove the hooks. But it is unbearable how many annoying features this album has
  15. Top3not1or2
    Jul 8, 2020
    2
    This is coming from a long time Stan. This album has some of my favourite Eminem songs ever in Castle and Arose, and that is what earns it a 2. Terrible production, awful mixing for someone with Em's resources. Cringe lyric, after cringe lyric.
    I hoped after seeing the album cover and freestyle that we would get something with the energy and brilliant writing off Mosh, instead we get songs    This is coming from a long time Stan. This album has some of my favourite Eminem songs ever in Castle and Arose, and that is what earns it a 2. Terrible production, awful mixing for someone with Em's resources. Cringe lyric, after cringe lyric.
    I hoped after seeing the album cover and freestyle that we would get something with the energy and brilliant writing off Mosh, instead we get songs that seem to be focus grouped for every era of Eminem fan.    … Expand
  16. LemonDropped
    Oct 2, 2021
    2
    Eminem's worst album, period. While this is his worst album, it is somewhat tolerable as some songs are quite good such as "Untouchable" and "Walk On Water", but majority of the songs are just lackluster pieces of music that are a tool, using mediocre pop artists for features to get more money and views. 80% songs aren't of substance, the classic trope of "I love my wife but I hate her"Eminem's worst album, period. While this is his worst album, it is somewhat tolerable as some songs are quite good such as "Untouchable" and "Walk On Water", but majority of the songs are just lackluster pieces of music that are a tool, using mediocre pop artists for features to get more money and views. 80% songs aren't of substance, the classic trope of "I love my wife but I hate her" and some songs calling Donald Trump a nazi to appeal to the youth on "Offended". Moreover, staccato flow on "Chloraseptic" and the ear-destroying chorus on "Framed" ruin the album further. In summary, this is Eminem's worst and it is unbelievable how it took four years to make this album.… Expand
  17. TuomasLouhisalo
    Jul 24, 2023
    2
    The worst album Eminem has ever released & one of the worst rap albums of all time.

    Best track: Castle or Arose
    Worst track: Heat (Eminem's worst bars!)
    Best feature: Beyoncé
  18. kozzy420
    Dec 15, 2017
    1
    Trash, worst eminem album ever. Why all the pop singers on all the horrible hooks? Eminem sounds bored as hell on here..... A few cool rock sampled beats cannot save this album, it is TRASH.
  19. AlchemistDon
    Dec 16, 2017
    1
    One of the worst albums i have ever let my ears listen to... Trash lyrics, Trash political views, Trash production... Lost his touch should of retired years ago when he actually had a legacy which he has now dismantled into trash.

    The Album Is TRASH
  20. guitarmaniac004
    Dec 18, 2017
    1
    This album was a heartless cash grab. The least he could have done when releasing an album with a very very popular set of artists to work with, was actually give them some decent material. Also that diarrhea line... wtf. Worst album he's produced without a doubt. He should just retire his career. This is a big pile of shameful, steaming **** Good lord!
  21. chidime
    Dec 16, 2017
    1
    Absolutely terrible album. There isn't one song on here that I can really listen to and say is good. Couple of manageable songs, and the rest is just loud noise. Absolutely disappointed in Eminem. Worst album of his career, and one of the worst of 2017. Shame.
  22. EricDean
    Mar 17, 2018
    1
    Eminem's Revival is anything but. If you like this musical era of plain boring pop music you'll like this album, however if you are a fan of rap I recommend you steer clear. This album is full of "guest appearances" that make up a majority of the music interjected by uninspired and poorly executed lyrics on behalf of Eminem. Chloraseptic is hailed as the best song by some apologists but isEminem's Revival is anything but. If you like this musical era of plain boring pop music you'll like this album, however if you are a fan of rap I recommend you steer clear. This album is full of "guest appearances" that make up a majority of the music interjected by uninspired and poorly executed lyrics on behalf of Eminem. Chloraseptic is hailed as the best song by some apologists but is utterly awful. Phresher is awful in this song and the point of the song is to mock rappers using the Triplet Flow. How does Eminem do this? Does he use clever lyrics to destroy them? Does he out rap them by proving the Triplet Flow outdated or simple? No he simply raps in triplets. It baffles my mind that this album received any positive reviews.… Expand
  23. YT_Guyyy
    Dec 15, 2017
    1
    I have not been the slightest bit excited ever since the mediocre whine that is Walk On Water was released. The song seems incredibly robotic and manufactured as well as boring, which isn't helped by Eminem sounding like he has a 15 inch **** up his ass. Then the second single, Untouchable, came out, and I was even less hyped. It has a good hook, a pretty interesting message, but Eminem isI have not been the slightest bit excited ever since the mediocre whine that is Walk On Water was released. The song seems incredibly robotic and manufactured as well as boring, which isn't helped by Eminem sounding like he has a 15 inch **** up his ass. Then the second single, Untouchable, came out, and I was even less hyped. It has a good hook, a pretty interesting message, but Eminem is INCREDIBLY condescending about it.

    Oh and why did this need to be 80 minutes? The album is such a borefest. It's taken me the whole day just to get through it. Even the hyped-up songs like Untouchable and Remind Me, the latter being effectively an incredibly poor and cheesy version of Berzerk, are boring in terms of lyrics or they just fizzle out intentionally.

    I could go on and on and on and on, but I have limited time and characters so here's a TL;DR:
    The album's boring and Eminem can't write proper lyrics to save his life anymore. The songs are all boring.    … Expand
  24. AntonioUchoa
    Dec 19, 2017
    1
    Além de excessivamente longo e cansativo, “Revival” parece não dispor o melhor do Eminem desde o seu hiato com “The Marshall Mathers LP2”. O manifesto político é algo até compreensível, se não fosse pela péssima performance do Eminem na maioria, ou em todas as músicas do álbum. Um exemplo na música “Believe” no primeiro verso, especificamente no trecho “[...] So I unabomb **** – tick,Além de excessivamente longo e cansativo, “Revival” parece não dispor o melhor do Eminem desde o seu hiato com “The Marshall Mathers LP2”. O manifesto político é algo até compreensível, se não fosse pela péssima performance do Eminem na maioria, ou em todas as músicas do álbum. Um exemplo na música “Believe” no primeiro verso, especificamente no trecho “[...] So I unabomb **** – tick, tick, tick – no remorse PEW!”, com essa repetição de uma onomatopeia que não aumenta a capacidade de rima e nem acrescenta nada à performance. Ainda nessa música, Eminem parece se arrastar para levar esses minutos, como um paciente com falta de oxigênio, sem falar do refrão que não pega, sem ritmo, sem sincronia com nada.

    Em “Walk on Water”, outra faixa que me surpreende em ver Eminem rimando lentamente tentando ser mais sutil que a participação vergonhosa da Beyonce. Ouçam a intro de “Beautiful Pain”, onde Eminem entra de uma maneira sensacional introduzindo os vocais maravilhosos da Sia que no decorrer na música se torna mais frenético do que toda a performance dele nesse disco. Sem falar nos versos onde Beyonce canta com sutileza, e logo vem aqueles **** **** que mais lembra alguém fazendo sexo em local público do que ele falando realmente ao fundo.

    “River”, e a participação descartável do Ed Sheeran só surpreende na produção do Emile Haynie. O tema delicado e a composição dos versos do Eminem até que decentes, não fazem essa música se destacar nem como “boa”. E essa música termina de maneira muito incompleta para dar início a uma interlude que nem ao menos deveria existir.

    “Tragic Endings” e os versos da Skylar que mais me lembra as músicas de “sofrência” da Marilia Mendonça quando ela canta “Cause I’m so drunk off tragic endings”. Sem distinção, confesso que é uma das melhores performances do Eminem nesse álbum.

    Para fechar, “Need Me” um ressalte extremo de tão bom que essa música é. O protagonismo da P!nk com os vocais do Eminem de fundo, suave, isso sim é uma ótima ambientação musical. E mais uma música sobre relacionamento, diferente de outras, essa é a que tem mais força e cativação. A veracidade das batidas violentas traz algo extraordinário e mágico desde a performance de ambos até o gosto ao ouvir.

    Contudo, “Revival” não tem pontos positivos, é tosco, não traz lembranças boas do Slim Shady, o Rap God, e nem o egocentrismo hostil do Eminem. Lamento, mas isso é um lixo.

    Ouçam: “Need Me”    … Expand
  25. PresidentTrump
    Dec 21, 2017
    1
    Probably the most painful thing I've ever listened to. I've heard some TERRIBLE music in my days, but what made this so painful to listen to, is that it's from MARSHAL motherf*cking MATHERS! Eminem. One of THE GREATEST rappers of all time has lost all of his original style and churned out a garbage album that is so painful to sit down and finish.

    The only track i sorta liked: Castle    Probably the most painful thing I've ever listened to. I've heard some TERRIBLE music in my days, but what made this so painful to listen to, is that it's from MARSHAL motherf*cking MATHERS! Eminem. One of THE GREATEST rappers of all time has lost all of his original style and churned out a garbage album that is so painful to sit down and finish.

    The only track i sorta liked: Castle
    Least Favorite Track: The rest of em.    … Expand
  26. Moacyr
    Dec 16, 2017
    1
    Chega de sons de guitarra e bateria, o que aconteceu com as batidas fortes e rimas perfeitas?!
    Esse albúm só mostra que o Marketing que o Eminem fez com "Campaign Speech" e aquele "freestyle", teve coragem para lançar The Marshall Mathers Lp2, porque não teria para lançar, The Eminem Show 2?
  27. hydrolokk
    Dec 15, 2017
    1
    you turned from 'great rapper' to '16 year olds with soundclouds can make this'. you really did not do anything good here. even not comparing you to your old self, this is dry. nothing new, nothing special. i would literally listen to every lil pump song 15 times over than this album again
  28. EdenIsNotHere
    Feb 4, 2018
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Your booty is heavy duty like diarrhea."
    "You got buns, I got aspergers."
    "I’m swimmin’ in that Egyptian river, ’cause I’m in denial/ Say I don’t eat **** but I got a ****-eatin’ grin when I smile."

    I'll say it short: I love MMLP, TES and SSLP, even some moments on Recovery and Encore, but this is unbereable. I like "Walk on Water" until I heard the rest of the album, because it's filled with trashy lyrics, an HORRIBLE production from Rick Rubin with overblown and lifeless sounds, ultra-lazy samples and trashy, horrible performances, cheap melodrama and more of Eminem's weaknesses executed in the most poorly way possible. Probably his worst produced and recorded album to date. You will think with Walk on Water he'll redeem himself with this album and his name in the past, but no. It's a 2008 pop-rock-rap-ballad record released in 2017. And I don't even mention his monotone, weak, boring and lifeless flow that sound like a robot who's learning what emotions are. This album sucks.

    FAV TRACKS: Walk on Water, parts of Chloraseptic, Framed (except that horrendous hook), parts of Offended, Castle.

    WORST TRACKS: THE REST.    … Expand
  29. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    1
    Holy **** I can't believe i listened through this mess of an album. This was the first album Eminem dropped after I started listening to him in earlier 2017. I was so excited, as Eminem was the only artist I listened to at the time, then he drops Walk on water. I thought it was alright, but I didn't like the lack of drums, and I missed the energetic Em When the album dropped, I listened toHoly **** I can't believe i listened through this mess of an album. This was the first album Eminem dropped after I started listening to him in earlier 2017. I was so excited, as Eminem was the only artist I listened to at the time, then he drops Walk on water. I thought it was alright, but I didn't like the lack of drums, and I missed the energetic Em When the album dropped, I listened to the entire thing, multiple times, and added all of the songs to my playlist.... WHY? I forced myslef to like this because I wanted the new Em to be great, but let's face it... He isn't. The lyrics are embarrasing, the beats awful, and the mixing and features are just ****ty. This is probably the worst album I've ever listened all the way through.… Expand
  30. led_lightbulb
    Nov 19, 2021
    1
    Why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2017
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 6 out of 24
  1. The Wire
    Feb 23, 2018
    40
    Chosen topics prove less crucial than his relentlessly tedious delivery. [Feb 2018, p.51]
  2. Q Magazine
    Jan 30, 2018
    40
    Eminem has never sounded more like a man out of time. [Mar 2018, p.107]
  3. RapReviews.com
    Jan 18, 2018
    75
    At least a third of the tracks are songs I could do without. The other two-thirds show that whether you love or hate the modern day Marshall Mathers, he's still as relevant as he ever was.
    Read full review
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