Disco de Eminem: “Curtain Call: The Hits (Deluxe Edition) [PA]”

Let’s all hope that this isn’t really the final curtain call for the multi-talented rapper Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Launched by Dr. Dre, Eminem has stamped his distinctive style all over the rap genre, winning nine Grammies and an Oscar for his innovative beats and flow, and of course his controversial lyrics have kept him in the spotlight one way or the other.

This is his fifth album, the first Greatest Hits compilation, and includes three new songs as well as most of his hit singles from “The Slim Shady LP”, “The Marshall Mathers LP”, “The Eminem Show”, “Encore” and the “8 Mile” soundtrack. It also includes the live version of “Stan” performed at the 2001 Grammy’s by Eminem and Elton John. The one omission that comes to mind is “Superman”, and also maybe “Encore”, but there are enough hits to make most people very happy.

The new tracks are “FACK”, a funny track that more than earns a PA warning, the infectious “Shake That” (featuring Nate Dogg), and one of the best new songs around - “When I’m Gone”. Lyrics from “When I’m Gone” strongly hint that Eminem may be taking a break to spend more time with his daughter and niece, and he also may be working on expanding his production portfolio.

“What happens when you become the main source of her pain

"Daddy look what I made"

Dad's got to go catch a plane

"Daddy, where's Mommy, I can't find Mommy where is she?"

I don't know, go play, Hailey baby, your daddy's busy”

This album represents the very best of Eminem, plus a couple of excellent new tracks. Highly recommended.

Amanda Richards, December 6, 2005

1. Intro- I dont rate Intro's/Skits

2. Fack- When I first heard this I really didn't know what to think. It's no where near better than past songs but provides few laughs.

(2/5)

3. The Way I Am - Of course you know this song. In where Em tells the media to f**k off. I personally love this song.

(5/5)

4. My Name Is- One of his most annoying songs ever next to The Real Slim Shady and Just lose It. But it is was his first single and was in my music rotation to the point of I got sick of hearing it.

(4/5)

5. Stan - Guy obsessed with eminem. Writes him. Eminem doesnt write back. Guy gets mad and drives off of a bridge with his gf in the back seat. Eminem writes guy back. Eminem realizes the guy he saw on the news was Stan. Simple plot. Great Song.

(5,5)

6. Lose Yourself- Has a great message. To never give up on your dreams and to take an good thing when it comes to you. Also shows conflicts from the movie 8 mile interjecting with conflicts that Em was facing at that moment in his career.

(5/5)

7. Shake That- Not really lyrical but a song to dance with your friends to.

(4/5)

8. Sing For The Moment- One of my favorites. I love this song! Talks about what he goes through with fans/media/Kim cheating. He really puts it in a way that everyone can understand.

(5/5)

9. Without Me - Even though It has the same formula as My Name Is, Without Me is far less anoying. I often find myself riding in my car with my little nieces going crazy, dancing to it.

(5/5)

10. Like Toy Soldiers- Trying to stop the beef with Ja/Benzino. Shows that he is just trying to be the bigger man by stepping away.

*Sadly In The video the person who got shot and died was Proof of D12, who if you don't know just passed away by getting shot at a night club. R.I.P*

(5/5)

11. The Real Slim Shady- The video is amazingly funny and still cracks me up to this day. The song eeh. Okay lyrics.

(5/5)

12. Mockingbird- A song to his daughter showing why him and Kim are not together. A really touching song, that made me wish I had a dad around when I was growing up. You can truly see that he loves his daughter.

(5/5)

13. Guilty Conscience - "Dr. Dre, Mr. NWA, Coming Straight Outta Compton Ya'll better make way" hehe. That line still cracks me up.

(5/5)

14. Cleanin' Out My Closet- A song to his mother which supposedly ended their relationship. In it Eminem suggests that his mom suffered from Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. A mental illness that makes parents (often mothers) make their child sick / makes their child undergo painful tests to get some attention for themselves.

(5/5)

15. Just Lose It- You all know it. "Grab your right nut make your left one jealous." Good song to go crazy to.

(4/5)

16. When I'm Gone - A song to show why he is stepping away from the mic. Because of the guilt from leaving his daughter and niece for the stage.

(5/5)

17. Stan- A live performance with Elton John.

(5/5)

I could not wait for this album to be released, mainly for the new songs which are some of his best. I knew that this album would blow up huge which it is currently. The songs on here that are Eminem's top hits are perfect to be combined into one album. I honestly could not find one song on this album which is not a great listen. I have bought all of Eminem's previous albums and none of them disappointed me in anyway. There was some controversy about 'Encore' being a bit 'off-touch' on Eminem's behalf. I thought Encore was equally as good as the others and he did a very good job with the album. I just don't think people are used to Eminem's new sort style he has. It's clear that there is a difference between that and his older songs and people probably didn't adapt to that change. It's sad that Eminem is not continuing on with any solo work but hopefully we continue to hear his music on other rapper's songs, etc.

I couldn't believe how good the bonus songs on this album were. 'When I'm Gone' is an excellent song that shows how his relationship with Hayley has been throughout her life, and a great video to go with it. 'Fack' was DEFINITELY up there with his best ever tracks. Although it is very crude and rude i could not care less as it is so catchy and the rapping on it is phenomenal. I didn't think much of 'Shake That' in the beginning, particularly because there wasn't much of Eminem on it but Nate Dogg really does do a good job as always and is also catchy. Another magnificent track. The live version of 'Stan' is unbeleivably well done. I thought it would only sound good with a female singing but Elton John also does a good job in this. After hearing this it made me consider getting some of Elton John's music. He sounds amazing in this song. I strongly suggest that this album be purchased as it is a good compilation of his best and put together well. If you are a fan of Eminem, indeed you will like this. I presume that anyone reading this who does like Eminem already has this album because otherwise you would be missing out.

This album is not bad at all. I was suprised to see people rate it 1 or 2 stars. But I guess it's understandable, since some of these people don't even know how to spell "controversy" (hint: press control + f and search for "contreversy"). THe only reason why I'm giving 4 stars is because not all the new songs are that great. But When I'm Gone is just so damn good. Eminem definately has some of his old sparks left in him. Well done.

Ok, so I'm an English major, and my Psych Prof disses Eminem, but I dig it. I thoroughly enjoy this CD, and it has not been removed from the car CD player for days. Personally, I think there is a lot more going on in Eminem's head than he gets credit for. As a student of Anthropology and Psychology, I also detect a lot of Social Commentary in his work. He seems to be sort-of a musical equivalent of Stephen King (another guy who received little credit for his genius for a long time).

Don't tell the Professors, but I recommend Eminem (aka "Slim Shady"); this CD is groovin' and addictive. He has a unique flow and rhyme scheme. I also recommend his other works and videos.