Blog: The Mix Tape

After getting past my initial disappointment at hearing shots at the same now-outdated and too-easy targets on Relapse, I realized that the things I first liked Eminem for are still there on songs like "Hello" and "Same Song & Dance." He can still put songs together in ways that make sense, with a sense of narrative and real emotion ("Déjà Vu") that too many rappers blatantly disregard. Not to mention his flow is undiminished. Unfortunately, those skills can't overshadow gross-outs like "Insane" or mindless drivel like "We Made You." Ultimately, there's just not enough I want to hold onto. [...]