Eminem reaffirms place among hip-hop greats with ‘Marshall Mathers LP 2’

While there is a concept of revisiting the past, there is no cohesive link between tracks on The Marshall Mathers LP 2. But we shouldn’t be surprised — this is the musician with perhaps one of the most varied discographies to date. After experimenting with musical styles for the past decade, Eminem has finally balanced musical innovation and nostalgia. And this is where The Marshall Mathers LP 2 truly shines: in the versatility of it all.

There are elements that both Eminem fans and other audiences can appreciate. Rock and country fans alike will be surprised to hear Eminem not only rapping but also singing over guitar samples, including Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good.” Pop listeners should also find enjoyment in the catchy yet smooth singing features that appear throughout the album. Eminem even breaks into song himself on some tracks for both extended verses and on the hooks. The manner in which Marshall has fused hip hop, pop and even rock is seamless.

This versatility, however, doesn’t alienate hip-hop listeners. Eminem demonstrates that, despite the passing of time, he is still one of hip hop’s best lyricists. He raps in a way that is reminiscent of the hunger he exhibited when first rapping, but the style isn’t the same recycled flow from his previous albums. For the first time in a while, Eminem seems happy, and this new style reflects that. The only rap feature, Kendrick Lamar, also surprises on “Love Game” by mirroring Slim Shady’s humorous yet strange style.

For Eminem’s long-time listeners, references to older tracks are littered throughout the album. There are also continuations of tracks from the original Marshall Mathers LP. On “Bad Guy,” Eminem takes on the role of Stan’s younger brother (from The Marshall Mathers LP’s “Stan”) and raps a personal narrative about how the loss of his brother affected his family.

The only skit to appear on the album, “Parking Lot,” can be seen as a follow-up to “Criminal.” And, of course, Slim Shady makes a few guest appearances, overpowering those verses. On “Rhyme or Reason,” Eminem presents the two aspects of himself. While Marshall is passive and pondering in regard to his father, Slim Shady twists the track into a murder fantasy. The passion, celebrity mocking and twisted humor that propelled the rapper into spotlight are all here and fresher than ever.

The album, however, isn’t just a showcase of production and technical skill. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is Eminem’s deepest and most introspective album to date. Eminem takes time to remind us that actions have consequences. For someone who has built a career insulting various celebrities and personalities while being apathetic to the penalties, this statement is a bold one. Despite his previous anger, Eminem finally reflects on how his actions affected others. From forgiving his mother (“Headlights”) to contemplating why he’s remained single (“Love Game”), Eminem uses the album as a medium to soul search. He even admits that time has been an enemy, joking about how technology like Facebook has baffled him and how his lifestyle has remained common despite having money (on “So Far…”). And since his stories are much more interesting than ours, we listen, captivated by the minds of both Marshall Mathers and Slim Shady.

With comeback albums, it’s always difficult to know what to expect. The Marshall Mathers LP 2, shows that these albums can not only surprise but also succeed. Sure, the album may have some weak tracks, but such is a consequence of both versatility and Eminem’s reputation for producing quality songs. This weakness, however, doesn’t change the fact The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is perhaps one of the most satisfying listens Eminem has produced in a long while, one that certainly solidifies his position as one of the greatest hip-hop artists in our generation.