'Relapse' Proves Eminem To Be A Tortured Genius

CLEVELAND - Marshall Mathers exploded onto the music scene 10 years ago armed with a twisted sense of humor, unflinching honesty and self-deprecation and a boatload of raw lyrical ability.

In other words, he came to us as a conflicted prodigy.

Mathers, 36 is the man behind Eminem, the hip-hop artist and icon that has sold tens of millions of records and stirred up controversy at a dizzying pace with each album release. Today, the Detroit-based superstar returns to CD players and iPods everywhere after a four and a half year absence with the release of his fifth major-label solo album Relapse.

Talk about a return.

Relapse has gotten largely mixed reviews in the two weeks since it leaked online. Some say it is a true classic, others cite it as tangible proof of Eminem's supposed decline. I must say, it took me a while to get used to it, but after a series of careful listening sessions, I have concluded that the album borders on potential classic material. For all of the criticisms levied against it, I am fascinated at Eminem's lyrical dexterity, but I am blown away at the brutal honesty he displays in bringing listeners into the dark, haunting world that was his life as a shameless drug addict.

That addiction nearly cost him his career and life.

It is easy to dismiss cuts such as "3AM" and "Same Song and Dance" as weak attempts at shock horror, but the deeper truth to those songs is simple; his raging addiction gave him a predilection to harm and destroy and he couldn't help it. Thankfully, he never acted on those fantasies but he did harm and torture himself as evidenced by "Deja Vu," a brilliantly wove confessional about the horrifying depths that his addiction took him.

"My Mom" and "Insane" appears to be (at first sound) just more rantings about Eminem's harrowing upbringing with a little Slim Shady schtick thrown in for effect. Turns out, the songs offer a deeper glimpse into Mathers the person, not Eminem the artist. Both tracks essentially fill out the puzzle he started in 1999 when he began informing the public of the dysfunctional parenting that has led him to be "the way he is."

"We Made You" is an anomaly, albeit a catchy one...in my book. Eminem rails on a plethora of celebrities and takes no prisoners. Love it or hate it, the incredible assonance and complex rhyme patterns in the song eclipse the skills of most of today's rap artists by a country mile.

The legendary Dr. Dre produced all but one of the record's 15 tracks (five skits are mixed in) and his appearance on "Old Time's Sake" is a welcome return for Dre the rapper. His two verses are sharp and cocky, not stale and uninspired like some folks have stated. Throughout the entire album, his trademark sound and thumping baselines augment Eminem's already scintillating rhymes and delivery. This is particularly true on the track "Underground" which features Eminem at his tongue-twisting, mind bending lyrical best.

"Crack a Bottle," released months ago is an Em, Dre and 50 Cent vehicle. It is a bit drab for my taste, but it grows on you. The lone Eminem produced track, "Beautiful" is a Marshall Mathers masterpiece. Written while Eminem was still on drugs (he's been sober for an entire year), it is the perfect blend of mood, subject, beat, hook and delivery. It may be this album's tour-de-force and will certainly be one of Em's most transcendent records.

Eminem's last album, Encore was considered by many to be the start of his descent from his high-profile brilliance. It debuted in November 2004 and sold 5 million copies, only half of what his two previous LP's sold. With all of the tribulations that came his way since he disappeared, none hurt more than his friend Proof's murder in 2006. Relapse is dedicated to him, the man whom Eminem cites as being the number one reason he is where he is now.

In my final estimation, I admire Eminem for revealing such personal demons with us. He is clearly a major talent, but is also a tortured genius. Marshall Mathers is Elvis Presley and Bob Marley. He's Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. 

Relapse is on point. Let's hope Marshall stays on track.