1.5 very poor

Nick Butler STAFF | May 11th 09

Nope, sorry. Just because it's better than Encore doesn't mean it's not really, really bad. The orchestral, off-kilter "Underground" is an unexpected sting in the tail that proves Em still has the talent when he sets his mind to it, but the 19 tracks before it are lazy as hell. There's not a single fresh thought or idea in them, and in spite of his hiatus, Em just sounds bored of making music. The better moments are just re-writes of the filler on The Eminem Show; the really bad parts are just as bad as the bulk of Encore. I'd love to tell you that he's back on form, but the sad reality is that this blows. 8 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

John A. Hanson STAFF | May 8th 09

It's hard for me to say this, but the old Eminem every white kid in America used to love just isn't there anymore. With that STUNNING realization out of the way, the Eminem that was essentially hinted to on Encore turns out to not be all that bad, as "Relapse" shows Em experimenting with his flow and voice to create a weird, if still familiar record. While it may be horribly offensive to old fans, the album is filled with oddly appealing raps and lyrics, with the best tracks living up to the potential we all know he still has somewhere in him. "Insane", "Medicine Ball", "Stay Wide Awake" and particularly "Beautiful" and "Underground" are all excellent songs, and despite some awful duds in the early stages of the album, the album is surprisingly solid. Here's to Slim Word of warning to the people though, Eminem is not from the UK still so you may still hate it 8 Bumps | Bump

2.0 poor	Tyler James Bernard | June 23rd 09
I would have liked to see Eminem make this album more serious and introverted, because it's in those brief moments where this album shines. Deja Vu, Crack a Bottle, and Beautiful are vintage Em. And the skits actually enhance the album for once. At the end of the day, though, his choppy flow and weird accent simply ruin some of the songs. 1 Bumps | Bump

2.0 poor

AggravatedYeti | May 17th 09

Really good beats and the fact that Em still has a better flow than most modern rappers can't save 'Relapse' from imploding in upon itself. Bloated and almost sophomoric the songs never find their way out of Em's verses (which are just as quirky and disturbing as ever) to a hook that has any chance of paying off. Basically there are no hooks, or if there's an attempt (3am, Mother,Insane -- fuckit the whole album) "Relapse" gives them no room to breathe. Instead they chock up to a rushed Em continuing his lame, accented flow to a chorus about how many drugs he does, how fucked up he is, or how much he goes against the grain. If 'Relapse' is supposed to be that jolt that rockets Marshall sky high once more, you couldn't tell. It feels more like Eminem is still searching for his wings, never mind trying to soar. 1 Bumps | Bump

4.5 superb	Darkman1 | May 12th 09
You know it doesnt surprise me that a lot of the people here gave it such a low rating I mean look at the ratings from the SSLP to the Eminem Show... 1 Bumps | Bump

4.0 excellent

Xxplosive | May 9th 09

Lemme just start off and say that Em' is back with an explosion! Sure, pretty much every single off Relapse he has released has been mediocre at best, exception of '3am'. But once you actually sit down and listen to the entire album, none of his singles don't even compare to all the other songs. On half the album's songs he has his little 'accent' that people are calling gay or what not, but it gives a new spice to his songs, and flows well with the beats and lyrics, and you start to get use to it. But don't think that old Em' is gone. Songs like 'Beautiful' and 'Insane' show that Em' hasn't lost his touch one bit, and lyrically he is just as good, if not better, than on his 2 LP's. The last track on the album 'Underground' rivals to be one of the greatest songs Em' has written, being an epic 6:10 minutes long. Cheers to Em' on his return, and may he continue to be one of the best MC's of the 21st century. 1 Bumps | Bump

1.0 awful	Killer9 | November 21st 09
I knew this was going to happen. Encore the last straw for me but I had to give Relapse a listen. Terrible,Awful,Disgusting. Inferior to every other album Em has put out. I sometimes wonder if he's ashamed of these albums? I certainly would be. Bump

3.0 good	Maximilian Harkness | September 23rd 09
Insane has some of Slim's sickest flows ever, and some of the rhymes are pretty nice here or there, but a some of the beats are some of Dre's laziest. Bump

2.5 average	actappalled696 | September 17th 09
Well, it's Shady, so there were obviously things about this album I liked. Not a very good album overall, though. I'm glad he was able to shotgun himself back into the industry, though. My hopes are that as he gets older, Marshall will stray from the goofy aesthetic and return to his grumpy roots. Bump

4.5 superb

Blswylde | September 17th 09

This is not the Marshall Mathers LP. This is nothing like anything Em's done before, you should know that going in. Considering his best friend died, he went to rehab, and it's been 4 years since his last release, did you really think this tape would be normal? Every track features something to witness. Eminem's lyrical prowess is not only top notch, but entertaining from start to finish. From crazy tracks like "3am" and "Insane" to the more serious insightful tracks such as "Deja Vu" and "Beautiful", each song has something to say. Eminem fans will love this tape, the first listen might be a little surprising, but don't let that scare you, it's Eminem, he is back. Best Track: Beautiful Worst Track: Same Song & Dance Sickest Beat: Underground Most Offensive: Insane Bump

4.5 superb

Mikey50 | July 9th 09

I thought I saw some good ol' marshall in the song Insane. I mean c'mon how much more gritty can you get, that whole "felching" line almost had me throwin up in my mouth the first time haha seriously tho his flow on that song is fuckin stellar. I don't know if it's because you expect him to be something incredible on every song or what cause I think this is the best thing he's put out since the eminem show...Obviously it's no Marshall Mathers LP but name me another rapper's who's ever touched one of his earlier classics..so much more passion when you're not wealthy enough to own your own sports team....*cough* Jay-Z *cough* On that side-note I'm seein D Wade and LeBron headin to New York when their free next year Bump

4.0 excellent	HollywoodConstantine | July 2nd 09
Not awful. Spectacular. Eminem is back to his roots with harsh lyrics that will make you laugh and gag. If you like SouthPark...you know exactly what I mean. This man is a genius. Bump

4.0 excellent	IGotAFloor | May 29th 09
Relapse is a perfect title for this album, Shady is back! Rapping about disturbing topics and pills, I can't ask for much more, except for Relapse 2 to drop soon. Bump

1.5 very poor	Frunobulax | May 28th 09
This fucking sucks. Plain and simple, this album is just not good. Bump

3.0 good	Brien C. Stevenson | May 24th 09
This one takes a few spins to get a real feel of it, though its definitely not in league with some of Em's earlier work. There are some top-notch tracks on this, but there is far too much filler (due to the unnecessary amount of tracks on the disc). Bump

3.0 good	Jim | May 24th 09
Perhaps Encore was just a bad dream? All I know is that this album is actually quite good. Yeah, I know, right? Bump

3.0 good	StalkingButler | May 20th 09
It's definitely acceptable. An interesting look into the mental workings of a maniac that was emotionally doomed from childhood. Bump

4.0 excellent	thegoldenhero1 | May 17th 09
I would give a 4/5 i really like the album leaps ahead of encore though it wasn't as good as his first three albums it seems like you guys are mostly mad about him not showing growth and not makin enough deep music but i think this album has dope material on it plus i really don't hate the new vocals like some do. Plus if you guys ever heard the bonus songs they are real dope Bump

3.5 great

Christopher Joseph Cambrith | May 15th 09

At times in this album I realize how much encore sucked, and at other times I'm holding my face to keep from laughing at how bad this album sucks. Fortunately the good out ways the bad. Let's hope the Relapse 2 album that is hinted for in one of the skits is a return to normal accent and flow. There is a lot of good to salvage out of this album. Insane, Underground, and Beautiful are definately the albums high points. Take it or leave it, don't whine about how great eminem was when you were like 12 or 13. No one wants to hear that mess anymore, it is what it is. Bump

1.5 very poor	KFrDy | May 13th 09
Awful. Sounds like his previous cd's, except this time I've already heard them and decided that they are terrible. Great Job Bump

3.0 good	archerparadise | May 11th 09
Its a good comeback. Funny voice irritates. The beats are too good. 'We made you' is the only FUN track. Others are too dark for the commercial music world today. TOP Tracks: 3 am, Underground/Ken kaniff, Insane. IGNORE Tracks: Hello, Beautiful. BTW... Why diss mariah so much so that you have to make a track bout nick and mariah...'bagpipes from baghdad'. This aint happening. Bump

2.5 average

Stephen Abootman | May 9th 09

Eminem's comeback 'Relapse' shows that he is clearly undecided in the direction he wants to take. Split between jokey/satirical tracks such as "We Made You"and "3AM" and more serious attempts such as "Beautiful" and "Underground". The album is not helped by Eminem's new accented delivery which gets grating after the first couple of songs, however when he does return to his usual delivery the songs take an upturn and these tracks prove to be the strongest on the album. The addition of autontuned sections to a number of songs is also questionable. The album definitely has some great songs but suffers from filler and questionable delivery. Relapse is apparently the first of two albums being released this year with the section due towards the end of 2009. Here's hoping Relapse 2 delivers more consistently. Bump