David Kuenzler

Eminem

Marshal Mathers LP

            On his second CD, Marshal Mathers LP, Eminem displays his vocal talents in ways that will surprise you.  Not only will he shock you with his rapping, but the background music stands out, as well.  Eminem’s dark and tainted lyrics have a much different vibe than in his first album.  You can listen to this LP for hours and hours without getting bored of it.  Full of truthful lyrics (as Eminem sees it), catchy tunes, and outstanding vocals, he has made a very successful album.

            The Marshal Mathers LP wreaks havoc and chaos towards Will Smith, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera, but they all get off easy when compared to the verbal assault on his ex-wife Kim, who gets her own shady, twisted, and disturbing song.  Nothing like getting a verbal assassination in a song when the two still had a legal marriage.  The album’s controversial gay bashing themes pervade the album, particularly the last track, “Criminal.”  Eminem talks about “stabbing a fag or lesb,” liking gay men, and “posing as Versace checking the male” in this song. 

            If rapping about gay bashing does not stir up enough of a storm, he has a song that has a stalker obsessed with him.  In “Stan,” the song ends with the disturbed stalker killing his pregnant wife, whom he trapped in the trunk of his car, by crashing into a river.  The hit single, “The Real Slim Shady,” starts fast with him dissing Tom Green, gay men, and the Grammy’s, so without question, the single has the potential to go platinum.  Then his second single, “The Way I Am,” has him lashing out at his fans for bothering him and also sticks up for Marilyn Manson in the whole Columbine situation.

            In this make or break LP, Eminem did a great job, producing an album that he can brag about. Not only does he have controversy in it, but also the CD has good lyrics, good tunes, and great vocals. This CD put him into superstar status.