Common Sense Note
Yet another explicit gem from Eminem. Use this album to bring up the topic of censorship with your kids. Eminem denounces censors and critics, but spits some of the most offensive lyrics around.
Families can discuss the following: Where should we draw the line between freedom of speech and explicit material? Who should make that decision? What harm, if any, can come from this music?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: David Brown
It's Eminem's third album, and some things have changed and some things have not. He still uses shock value and offensive topics to get attention, but he is moving away from sarcasm and parody toward a more serious and critical attitude. In addition to rants about his censors, his abusive relationships and the government, he includes introspective thoughts on success, fame, and social responsibility. Don't be fooled though -- he is still rapping about killing his mother and doing drugs in front of his child, testing the limits of taste and morality.
This album has some very strong songs, but it also has some duds that break up the flow. "Business" and "Square Dance" are very strong, and the commercial hits "Without Me" and "Cleanin' Out My Closet" were pervasive on MTV and popular radio. Beware of the song "Drips," about venereal disease. It is disgusting, disrespectful, and not funny. Eminem tries to sing in "Hailie's Song" which makes a cute tribute to his daughter painful to listen to.
This album has the same strengths as the first two (The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP). It showcases Eminem's excellent rapping ability, and it is backed by solid production work. But has Eminem reached the bottom of the "shock value" barrel? Eminem has shown that he can rap intelligently about poignant topics. Whether he is willing to do so for an entire album has yet to be seen.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentEverything from venereal disease to rape. Disrespectful and explicit. |
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ViolenceV is for Very, Very Violent. |
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LanguageIf swear words were dollars, he?d be rich?.actually, he is rich. |
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Social BehaviorHe prides himself on being the anti-role model. |
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CommercialismNot as bad as most popular rap. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrunk driving and all varieties of drugs. |
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