Rap Reviews published this response: “Nevertheless, “Encore” does prove one thing: that even half-trying, Eminem is still better than most of the rappers beside him with plenty of personality to spare. Multiple reviews point out that Encore was just a failed sequel of The Eminem Show, and very few appreciated the level of artistry he maintained. He touches on the topics of friendship and fatherhood in all his albums including this. Like Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird are deeply emotional and personal tracks where Em laid his heart bare. Still, there were moments that impressed everyone. Not that it was bad, but it was not exciting, the audience was offered the same sound on three albums in a row (we do not count Infinite in). Everyone was disappointed not only with how Eminem produced it but also with Dr.Dre’s beats. The music side of the album did not help the situation. Everybody was especially annoyed with his new East European accent on Ass Like That, where he raps in the voice of the puppet Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog, the dog smoking a cigar and ridiculing famous people. Just Lose It, where Em parodied and mocked Michael Jackson (well, not a smart move Marshall…) was heavily criticised. The lyrics style became threadbare as many drew comparison with his previous albums and the repetitive mockery of celebrities, politicians and critics. Probably, having received such harsh feedback, he also lost faith in himself and his music. He became addicted to drugs, lost his best friend and isolated himself from the music scene for several years. Indeed, at that time Marshall’s career was going downhill. “This was the beginning of Eminem’s downfall”, – stated Focus Hip Hop. Not the most pleasant of experiences, I agree). Some did not like the lyrics, some did not like Dre’s simple beats, angry opponents of Marshall’s new “accent” emerged, some disapproved weird background noises (especially on Puke, when Em was vomiting in the toilet. Similar thoughts were expressed in other reviews. The review on Genius: “Big step down from his normal level and was his only album not to win him even one Grammy, despite being nominated for three”. Some were glad to get something new, others fiercely criticised the release. Having received Encore that did not reach the same level of success but became a pale copy of the previous album, people split into two camps. What expectations were set by The Eminem Show, the most successful Marshal’s album? Very high. The album was commercially successful but received a negative response. And for that we really love and respect him. Maybe they still investigate him as he keeps being vocal about Trumps’ politics as well. It led to Marshall being marked out as a threat and investigated by the Secret Service. He says “Fuck Bush” on Mosh and declares that he “would rather see the president dead” on We As Americans – Em disagrees with Bush’s politics and talks about it openly, voicing the opinion of thousands who share his dissatisfaction. Everyone wanted to hear Em who had never been afraid to tell the truth when others were too scared. The album spent eight weeks at the top of the Billboard Top 200, the global sales were high. An absolute peak of popularity of the artist. Interestingly, the album was seen as having good prospects: more than 800 thousand people came to the album launch in New York, making this event a Guiness Record.
However, the album was not successful and was left ignored by all major awards such as GRAMMY and AMA (both did not award Encore in The Best Rap Album category). Some tracks, such as Like Toy Soldiers and Mosh, became classic. I would not say that I remember this release as a consistent record. And Slim Shady goes out to take a bow again on Relapse. Well, almost on every album Em “promises” that this is his final project and he is leaving the stage. Having said “Bye-bye!”, Shady shot himself, and it is obvious that Em’s alter ego left us.
However, the front cover presents Slim Shady’s final bow. It seems like there was nothing new, everything was as usual. It continued to explore the topics of hate, politics, love and celebrity culture that Em ridicules all the time (and we love him for his courage). “Encore” is what is said on the cover, an encore to Marshall’s previous album The Eminem Show (2002). One of the most controversial Em’s albums that did not find a warm reception from critics but became a commercial success. Encore (2004) – Marshall’s fifth studio album – approaches its fifteenth anniversary this year.
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