So, I may have been a bit wrong about the latest Eminem album. I’ve given it a more attentive listen and it’s not that bad, actually. It’s not exactly as good as some of his earlier work, but it’s much better than anything in recent memory.

The first half of the album is very focused on him being insane and controversial and he does it right. Unlike on “Encore”, Eminem doesn’t waste out time with tracks laced with fart noises and the like. Instead, he delivers, as quickly as ever, joke after joke about his mother and celebrities and women. It’s ceaseless and harsh, but entertaining to listen to.

The ending of the album is more serious with the track “Deja Vu” being the highlight of the album, for me. Eminem, as he’s done so many times before, just exposes himself to the public eye and openly admits to the drug addictions he’s battled over the past four years. It’s a very well done retrospective. He may never change and be as mature as he is in songs like this, but it’s a personal touch that really adds much needed heart to the album.