May 19, 2024

Album of the Week Club:
-Each week a different member will choose an album for the group to listen too
-Each member then submits a score out of 10 after completing their listen.
-The scores are then tallied

THE SCHEDULE:
Week 1: May 20-Isaiah Rashad- cilvia demo (2014) @jankland

Week 2: May 27- J Hus- Big Conspiracy (2020) @hargydon

Week 3: June 3- JPEGMAFIA- All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019) @Evad

Week 4: June 10- Lorde- Melodrama (2017)
@Michael Myers

Week 5: June 17- Three 6 Mafia- When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 (2000)
@Omar Little

Week 6: June 24- Paris Texas- Mid Air(2023) @lowkitz

Week 7: July 1- Clairo- Sling (2021)
@Ripper Roo

Week 8: July 8- The Offspring- Americana (1998) @Justin Trudeau

(Special Event) Eminem- The Death of Slim Shady (2024)

Week 9: July 22- Hermit and the Recluse- ORPHEUS vs. The Sirens (2018)
@Ordinary Joel

Week 10: July 29- Big KRIT- 4Eva is a Mighty Long Time (2017)
@DiggleDogg69

Week 11: Aug 5- Ice Cube- Laugh Now, Cry Later (2006) @icecube

Week 12: Aug 12 - Iron Maiden- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
@Wreckless

Week 13: Aug 19 - Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz- Kings of Crunk (2002)
@Yeez

Week 14: August 26 - Bright Eyes- Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2002)
@stepdad enjoyer

Week 15: September 2 - Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That s--- Gold (2008)@Gimp

[Round 2]
Week 16: September 9 - Travis Scott- Rodeo (2015) @DiggleDogg69

Week 17: September 16- Marilyn Manson- Eat Me, Drink Me (2007) @Justin Trudeau

Week 18: September 23- The Weeknd- House of Balloons (2011) @Ripper Roo

Week 19: September 30-Bring Me The Horizon-Post Human: Survival Horror (2020) @jankland

Week 20: October 7- Disturbed- Indestructible (2008)@Wreckless

Week 21: October 14- David Bowie- Low (1977) @Yeez

Week 22: October 21- Blu & Exile - Miles (2020) @Gimp

Week 23: October 28- Ludacris - Theater of The Mind (2008)@Michael Myers

Week 24: November 4- Action Bronson & The Alchemist - Rare Chandeliers (2012) @stepdad enjoyer

[Round 3]
Week 25: November 11- KISS - Destroyer (1976) @DiggleDogg69

Week 26: November 18- Brotha Lynch Hung- Mannibalector (2013)@Justin Trudeau

Week 27: November 25 - Kendrick Lamar- GNX (2024) @Ripper Roo

Week 28: December 2- Hot Mulligan- Why Would I Watch? (2023) @jankland

Week 29: December 9- Killswitch Engage- Atonement (2019) @Wreckless

Week 30: December 16- Daft Punk- Discovery (2001) @Yeez

Week 31: December 23- Ab-Soul- Soul Burger(2024) @Allis Mines

Week 32: December 30- Smile 2- The Skye Riley EP (2024) @Michael Myers

Week 33: January 6- Silver Jews - American Water (1998) @stepdad enjoyer

Mixtape Mania Round 1:

January 13th: Get Wreck'd [Page 119] @Wreckless

January 20th: 1.20.25 [Page 123] @Yeez

January 27th: The Trudeau Tape [Page 126] @Justin Trudeau

February 3rd: Everyone's Favorite MIXTAPE [Page 128] @DiggleDogg69

February 10th: Every Roo Has Its Day [Page 132] @Ripper Roo

February 17th: Into The Jank-Verse [Page 137] @jankland

February 24th: Halloween: The Revival of Michael Myers [Page 140] @Michael Myers

March 3rd: The Desolation of Jimmy Jazz [Page 142] @Jimmy Jazz

March 10th: Big Monkey's Blow Up Doll [Page 146] @Allis Mines

(Special Event) Playboi Carti - MUSIC (2025)

Mixtape Mania Round 2:

March 23: Born To Boomer [Page 165] @Wreckless

March 31: When The Blood Burns [Page 168]
@Yeez

April 7: Rite of Exorcism: A Possession Story [Page 170] @Justin Trudeau

April 14: Everyone's Fifth Favorite Mixtape [Page 172] @DiggleDogg69

April 21: Ripper Raw [Page 174] @Ripper Roo

April 28: @jankland

May 5: @Michael Myers

May 12: @Jimmy Jazz

May 19: @Allis Mines

THE ALBUM RANKINGS:
1. David Bowie
Low (1977)
8.5/10
Page 81- 8 Reviews

2. Silver Jews
American Water (1998)
8.1/10
Page 116- 6 Reviews

3. Big K.R.I.T:
4Eva is a Mighty Long Time (2017) - 8/10
Page 46-10 Reviews

4. Kendrick Lamar
GNX (2024)
7.9/10
Page 97- 8 Reviews

5. Iron Maiden:
7th Son of a Seventh Son(1987)
7.8/10
Page 50- 6 Reviews

5. Hermit & The Recluse:
Orpheus Vs. The Sirens (2018) - 7.8/10
Page 41- 10 Reviews

6. Isaiah Rashad:
Cilvia Demo (2014) - 7.8/10
Page 2- 12 Reviews

6. Daft Punk-
Discovery (2001)- 7.8/10
Page 109- 6 Reviews

7. The Weeknd
House of Ballons (2011)- 7.6/10
Page 73 -8 Reviews

8. Three 6 Mafia:
When the Smoke Clears (2000) - 7.4/10
Page 21- 10 Reviews

8. Eminem:
The Death of Slim Shady (2024) - 7.4/10
Page 38- 14 Reviews

8. Blu & Exile
Miles (2020)- 7.4/10
Page 83- 8 Reviews

9. Travis Scott
Rodeo (2015)- 7.3/10
Page 66- 9 Reviews

10. Marilyn Manson
Eat Me, Drink Me(2007)- 7.2
Page 70- 8 Reviews

11. Clairo:
Sling (2021) - 7.1
Page 26- 12 Reviews

11. J Hus:
Big Conspiracy (2020) - 7.1/10
Page 9- 11 Reviews

11. The Offspring:
Americana (1998) - 7.1/10
Page 33- 10 Reviews

12.Hot Mulligan
Why would I Watch? (2023)- 7/10
Page 100- 7 Reviews

12. KISS
Destroyer (1976)- 7/10
Page 90- 6 Reviews

13. BROTHA LYNCH HUNG
Mannibalector (2013)- 6.9/10
Page 92- 7 Reviews

13. Action Bronson
Rare Chandeliers (2012)-6.9/10
Page 88- 6 Reviews

14. Lorde:
Melodrama (2017) - 6.8/10
Page 17- 11 Reviews

15. Ice Cube
Laugh Now, Cry Later (2006)- 6.6/10
Page 49- 10 Reviews

15. Bright Eyes
Lifted (2002): 6.6/10
Page 57- 6 Reviews

16. Paris Texas:
Mid Air (2023) - 6.4/10
Page 23- 12 Reviews

17. Killswitch Engage:
Atonement (2019)- 6.3/10
Page 107- 7 Reviews

17. Disturbed
Indestructible (2007)- 6.3/10
Page 78- 6 Reviews

18. Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz
Kings of Crunk (2002)- 6.1/10
Page 54- 9 Reviews

19. Atmosphere
When Life Gives You Lemons (2008) 5.9/10
Page 60- 8 Reviews

20. Ab-Soul
Soul Burger (2024)
5.8/10
Page 111- 6 Reviews

21. Ludacris
Theater of the Mind (2008)
5.7/10
Page 86- 7 Reviews

22. JPEGMAFIA:
All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019) - 5.7/10
Page 12- 10 Reviews

23. SMILE 2
The Skye Riley EP (2024)
5.6/10
Page 114- 8 Reviews

Mixtape Mania:

1. Big Monkey's Blow Up Doll
@Allis Mines
8.7/10
Page 146- 8 Reviews

1. Born To Boomer
@Wreckless
8.7/10
Page 165- 8 Reviews

1.Everyones Fifth Favorite Mixtape
@DiggleDogg69
8.7/10
Page 172- 7 Reviews

2. When the Blood Burns
@Yeez
8.5/10
Page 169- 7 Reviews

2. The Trudeau Tape
@Justin Trudeau
8.5/10
Page 126- 8 Reviews

3. Rite of Exorcism
@Justin Trudeau
8.1/10
Page 170- 8 Reviews

4. 1.20.25
@Yeez
7.8/10
Page 123- 7 Reviews

4. The Desolation of Jim Jazz
@Jimmy Jazz
7.8/10
Page 142-8 Reviews

5. Into the Jank Verse
@jankland
7.5/10
Page 137- 8 Reviews

6. Everyone's Favorite Mixtape
@DiggleDogg69
7.1/10
Page 128- 7 Reviews

7. Every Roo Has His Day
@Ripper Roo
6.7/10
Page 133 - 8 Reviews

8. Halloween: The Revival of Michael Myers
@Michael Myers
6.4/10
Page 140- Reviews 8

9. Get Wreck'd
@Wreckless
6.1/10
Page 119- 8 Reviews

 

Aug 2, 2024

That’s what she said

 

Jul 23, 2024

@AOTWClub

The Death of Slim Shady has scored a 7.3 and has moved into 3rd spot.

Main page updated

 

Jul 23, 2024

hargydon’s Review of The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)

Favourite songs: Evil, Lucifer, Fuel, Guilty Conscience 2 & Bad One

This album feels like a love letter to Stans. It’s a great mishmash of all the different styles, feels like MTBMB & MMLP2 had a baby, really clever utilisation of AI as well, in fact, it’s revolutionary. You definitely still have to be into his autism raps to enjoy it though as he’s on fire here, luckily it’s what I crave from Eminem these days.

To me I took this album as Eminem saying he’s finished with the Slim Shady persona, but instead of whining about it on a verse, he decided to use it as a vision for a full conceptual album to show the listener that the persona is outdated, which is dope, & I think he nailed it. I personally think he could’ve ended it at GC2, but I also understand why he added the ballads, just a shame it’s basically Castle/Arose pt 2 but with the twist of him actually passing from the overdose. These are skips for me, along with Tobey, Road Rage & Head Honcho, at least the first part.

Somebody said it perfectly that it’s like a comic book character multiverse type of theme which makes sense with all the references in the lyrics & the Houdini MV, where he’s in a tug of war with his alter ego. It’s so creative I can’t believe we got such an intricate concept so deep into Em’s career, along with some crazy bars & insane flows too. This album to me again solidified him as the best rapper on the planet, especially the Fuel verse.

I can’t wait for the next chapter. I don’t necessarily think it has to be a melodramatic next album because he’s killing off Shady, he can still do hard gritty Alchemist/Griselda style rap, can do political, boom bap, horrorcore etc. the potentiality for creativity is endless now. Theres a lot of angles still without being “offensive.” I also don’t think he’s gearing up for retirement, I believe this is the last leg but we’ve still got multiple projects left at minimum, Paul said he wanted a Curtain Call 3 after all. I think this concept was just a way to stop people from constantly asking for him to be edgy again when he’s just not interested in it anymore, man’s in his 50s lol. People think it’s an external struggle: society & Cancel Culture that’s preventing him when to me it’s clearly a personal choice, he’s the most “woke” Liberal rapper going at this stage of his life. But he’s in a tug of war with fans wishes & his desires, hopefully this has alleviated some of those troubles.

Spoiler: Highlights:

The Fuel verse in general, but mostly, I love how he starts by using the “A” assonance, then switches to B, then ends the ABC scheme with the C alliteration after saying “they’re putting words in my mouth like alphabet soup”

Soon as I quit givin' a f---, I started to sell a bit

I love how on “Habits” he states:

Been callin' b------s "hoes" since a kindergartner
Since Jimmy Carter, now I'm kitty-cornered

Then later on “Head Honcho” he says:

It's the coup de grâce, I'm cruder than removin' claws from a cougar's paws
And throwin' it back in the wild (f---)
But you tamin' me? Ain't gonna happen

This whole verse’s pocket is c-m:

Was just a kid from Detroit who knew how to destroy the booth
And had a point to prove, and I'm as
Venomous, still I poison youth, sentences
I'm pennin' are just to toy with you
Which is a joy to do, Slim is just
A lyricist here to voice his true sentiments
Got the women pissed and it seems like men are just off growing a huge clitoris
Yeah, I probably annoyed a few feminists
I reminisce on them blowing a fuse over my points of views
Still I'm devoid of two s----s to give
My thinkin' is primitive
But when it comes to givin' it to anybody, boy, is Bruce generous
And I'm 'bout as much of a boy as Bruce Jenner is
'Cause I'm not a boy, I'm a man, b----, man-b----
My speech is free as his choice to choose gender is
This s--- is like opioid abuse, isn't it?

My medicine cabinet's big enough to fit a cab in it— verse on “Evil” is the same pocket as Chris d’elia’s “you’re using too many napkins” bit.

But if y'all fanatics, maybe I'm your habit
And I got all the dope too, send me all them addicts
And watch me s---t 'em up (Pew-pew) like semi-automatics

Now all I see is dollar signs, losers
b----, I was in them trenches like them Columbine shooters

And Candace O, I ain't mad at her
I ain't gon' throw the fact b---- forgot she was Black back at her
Laugh at her like them crackers she's backin' after her back is turned
In a cute MAGA hat with her brand-new White Lives Matter shirt
Or say this MAGA dirtbag in a skirt
Just opened the biggest can of worms on the whole planet Earth
Call her "Grand Wizard", "Klandace", or "Grand Dragon," or
Like the national anthem, I won't stand for the tramp
But I can't diss her 'cause my plans are to get in her pants and I'll blow my chance if I answer back to her

I'm sick like the terminally ill
But more like sick as in the term "mentally ill"

Next idiot ask me is getting his a--- beat worse than Diddy did (Cassie)
But on the real, though
She probably ran out the room with his f---in' dildo (Come here)
He try to field goal punt her, she said to chill (No)
Now put it back in my a--- and get the steel toe

The Bizarre appearance was somehow Godly, love the G’d Up production nod, & this is top 5 bar on the album:

Where is Megan Thee Stallion at? I wanna s--- that toe (Mwah)

This thousand bucks in my hand is just like what Candace did
When she turned her back on her own race 'cause I have abandoned it (band in it)

Cause his rap name is the same as like ten minutes on stage is for me, easy mill

Feel like the Earth's axis, the world's turnin' on me

I noticed that on “Someone Save Me,” Em mentions missing his daughter’s graduation due to the OD:

Alaina, sorry that you had to hear me fall in the bathroom
Sorry that I missed your gradu—, wait, Nate, I should just congratulate you

Yet before this, on “Lucifer” he makes a joke about his dad not missing his graduation (but only because he never graduated):

Haters can meet the same exact fate as my dad, wait
Least he didn't miss me graduate

There’s plenty more quotables but I best stop lol

@AOTWClub

Rating: 7/10

 

Jul 21, 2024

My album selection:

HERMIT & THE RECLUSE - ORPHEUS VS. THE SIRENS

 

Jul 14, 2024

The Death of Slim Shady Review

1. RENAISSANCE- 7.5/10
I love the horror movie vibe of the intro and beat, em comes out firing. The not give a f---, sell a bit line is awesome. Wish it was longer though by about a minute.

2. HABITS- 8/10
Great song, white gold kills the chrous. The production is awesome and eminem sounds great on this song. The south park stuff is a nice touch with the theme of the album.

3. TROUBLE- 8/10
I wish this was longer, so much longer.

4. BRAND NEW DANCE- 9/10
Quick note my dad and I used to listen to encore all the time, my dad loved that album especially the goofy s---. I sent him this song Friday morning and he loved it. This song is just pure nostalgia so I love it. Eminem sounds great on weird beats like this. The grand maul seizure line is stuck in my head for some reason lol

5. EVIL- 9/10
The chrous is awesome, this sounds like prime eminem for the most part. The part where he picks up speed is really good on here. Doesn't overdo it.

6. ALL YOU GOT- 7/10
Skit still cool though, how many times you try to k--- me?

7. LUCIFER 9.5/10
I first heard this song back in March 2023 when I changed my name to lucifier. My cousin Paul got mad at me though, so I changed my name when the option became available .
Anyways love the Alfred intro, the beat is awesome and eminem kills this song. In the trenches like the columbine shooters is a nice throwback to other lyrics he's made about it.
The amber heard line is hilarious too!

8. ANTICHRIST- 9/10
Em keeps cooking, the chrous on this is awesome. I laughed that people were praising bizarre on here, his Amityville verse is WAY better.

9. FUEL- 9/10
JID kills it, eminem continues killing it. The Diddy s--- on this song is awesome wordplay. My first listen at this point I was like holy f--- this albums amazing. Wasn't expecting it to be this good at the halfway point.

10. ROAD RAGE- 6.5/10
A minor speed bump, I think the content is funny I just don't know that I love the song or even really like it. I probably would have left this off or went a different direction for this one.

11. HOUDINI- 8/10
Catchy and fun, still really enjoy listening to it.

12. BREAKING NEWS- 7/10
I actually watched the Detroit4 news reporter talking about em getting him to do this. Says he's been in eminems studio 4 times over the past few years doing stuff for him and was happy this one got used.

13. GUILTY CONSCIENCE 2- 8.5/10
Crazy back and forth between em and slim, I feel like having dre in this argument might have made it a 10. Would have been fun having slim throw some shade at dre for the song that went too far. Could have thrown some insults at dre like on the original and em being like dre made us or some s---. Still a good song.

14. HEAD HONCHO- 7/10
Ez Mil held his own in my opinion, didn't like the different language stuff though. Seemed kinda forced. Ems verse is good though.

15. TEMPORARY- 8.5/10
Skylar kills it, I love the home recordings, I love the idea of this song. It's a really sweet song and a nice little change of pace. I'm hoping if shady is really gone em becomes more vulnerable on his albums and opens up about more things in his career besides family stuff.

16. BAD ONE- 7.5/10
The Beat is awesome and white gold kills it again. I feel like this song is the safest song on the album, just feels like em can make songs like this in his sleep.

17. TOBEY- 5/10
I don't like babytron, he's a---. He actually f---ing sucks, kids these days will accept anything, I'm better than babytron. Big Sean's verse and ems verses are good, this song just doesn't do much for me and the music video sucks.

18. GUESS WHOSE BACK- 6/10
Ken wasn't as creative as he could have been, still a nice touch

19. SOMEBODY SAVE ME- 7.5/10
The slurring home recording at the start makes me sad, it's crazy to think someone I grew up idolizing was that f----- up at one point.
I love jelly roll, he's got a great voice and was a big fan of "save me" when it came out.
Ems sorta covered this topic already with the end of revival but I still love how open and vulnerable he is on songs like this.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10

Really fun first listen and I've listened like 15 times now lol the one super underrated thing about this album is that every song bleeds into the other very impressively. Definitely hoping we get a side B or deluxe of sort because I do feel like for a 4.5 year hiatus it doesn't seem like a lot for some reason.

@AOTWClub

 

Jul 7, 2024

Alright I've decided I'll go this week even though that f---ing a------ eminem is gonna ruin my week lol
Grew up on this album, I dunno how well received this album will be but im gonna throw it up there
I honestly feel like this album covers so many of the issues in society, it did back in the 90s when it was released and it still does today

The first punk album of album of the week

@AOTWClub

The Offspring- Americana



I will tally up Clairo same as usual on Tuesday

Hope you guys enjoy the album, was one of the first I bought as a kid and didn't understand the lyrics and now I'm like s--- so much of this is relatable

 

Jun 16, 2024

Three 6 Mafia - When The Smoke Clears, Sixty 6 Sixty 1

I love this s---, it's a lot of fun

just in case some of you never listened to a Three 6 Mafia project, they say some outrageous s--- that's catchy af
@AOTWClub

 

May 26, 2024

hargydon’s Album of the Week

J Hus: Big Conspiracy



Apple Music description:

"I was fresh from a war but it was internal/Every day I encounter another hurdle," J Hus spits as he closes Big Conspiracy on the piano-led "Deeper Than Rap". That war, and the highs and lows of Momodou Jallow's life, make for a mesmerising second album. Lyrics address his incarceration, street life, God, violence, his African roots and colonialism. From others those themes would feel heavy, but delivered in J Hus' effortless voice, with a flow that switches frequently, they stun.

The references are playful, too-Mick Jagger and Woody Woodpecker are mentioned on "Fortune Teller" and Destiny's Child get a recurrent role in the standout "Fight for Your Right". Hus is backed by inventive instrumentation encompassing delicate strings, Afrobeats, reggae and hip-hop and nods to garage and Dr. Dre's work with 50 Cent, while Koffee and Burna Boy contribute to the celebratory feel on "Repeat" and "Play Play". This is a record as diverse, smart and vibrant as anything coming from the UK right now.

Hope everyone enjoys!

@AOTWClub

 

Feb 26, 2025

@Michael Myers - Halloween: Revival of Michael Myers

review

The AOTWClub has been bestowed with a loosely thematic mixtape! I respect the effort. I’ll get right into my review by saying that the first track does a good job of setting the mood up and playing into the whole halloween idea. On its own I found it a bit bland though. The Watcher 2 is an instant classic and I loved hearing it here. Such a bumpable track! That beat is just great, classic Dre. I enjoyed the following Spineshank song, interesting how it simultaneously represents a Linkin Park ripoff (LP from the early 2000s), and everything LP would want to be nowadays but is pretty much failing miserably at (Cut the Bridge). Honestly From Zero, including this track, sounds like it was written by my adolescent nephew. I sadly disliked the following tracks from SZA, Miley, and J Balvin. Power is power is not a bad track but is just not my cup of tea. The Travis verse was the nail in the coffin here. Miley Cyrus has this weird vocal delivery I’m not that big on and the recycled pop-rock instrumental did not do her any favours either. Rio just did nothing for me over 4 listens. Body Talks is some Zara or H&M music and sounds like something Eminem would’ve sampled on the director’s cut of Revival.

I enjoyed the second leg of this mixtape a lot more than the first, I’d say. Hustler Musik is an undeniable classic, Wayne sounded so hungry back then. Fire song. The following song by the Sounds was good, I enjoyed it despite of the production sounding a tad cheesy at times - there was a lot of interesting ideas mixed in too; those saved the song for me. I somewhat like the Steppenwolf song too. My only gripe is that it sounded muddy as h---.


The song by Nena was easily one of my favorites. Great intro, buildup, vocals. It sounded very theatrical. From there on out, I enjoyed all 4 remaining songs. Smoke Like a Fire was a lyrical exercise over great, grimey production and La Respuesta was a proper b-----r which mentally took me to a beach party and poured me a shot of mezcal. Nothing to add about Evanescence, always love hearing this song. Classic. The Demi Lovato song closes the mixtape out. I’ll be d---ed; I did not recognize her game before, she went hard as f--- on Still Alive.

6/10

@AOTWClub @Justin Trudeau

 

Aug 10, 2024

That Cube album would have been a classic if he trimmed it down to 15 or 16 tracks.

 

Aug 7, 2024

 

Aug 4, 2024

@AOTWClub
@icecube has selected Laugh Now, Cry Later by Ice Cube as this weeks Album



Ripperroo: 7/10
Jankland: 6/10
Justin Trudeau: 6.5/10
Stepdad enjoyer: 5.5/10
Wreckless: 7.5/10
Yeez: 7/10
Evad: 7/10
DKC: 4/10
Michael Myers: 8/10
DiggleDogg69: 8/10

66.5/100= 6.6

I will tally up Big Krit- 4eva is a mighty long time on Tuesday as usual so get your reviews in

Great pick @icecube I actually own this album has some bangers on it!

 

Jul 25, 2024

Page # and amount of reviews now updated along with the album score and the ranking on the main page!

 

Jul 23, 2024

Hermit & The Recluse- ORPHEUS VS. THE SIRENS

The production on this album is standout, Animoss keeps the album very cohesive sound wise, my favorite part about the production is it's busy with multiple sounds but not too busy. Also love how the production gives off a darker vibe throughout the album.

The production almost makes it seem like it's one big song broken Into different parts which I really enjoyed.

Id never heard Ka rap before but found it really cool throughout the album how he's using Greek mythology and comparing it to his own struggles in the streets. My only real complaint was having to use genius sometimes cause I had no f---ing clue what certain things were lol
Regardless Ka has tons of bars on this album. Every bar seems to be well thought out and not just thrown together.

Couple of my favorites are SIRENS, Fate and The Punishment of Sisyphus.

Gonna give this album a 7

This @AOTWClub is really awesome, getting albums like this that I'd never thought to check out, appreciate you guys for being so active and hoping we can keep it going for awhile. Has made this site way more enjoyable

Nice pick @Ordinary Joel

 

Jul 23, 2024

Standouts: “Habits,” “Evil,” “Lucifer,” “Fuel,” “Houdini,” “Temporary,” “Bad One,” “Somebody Save Me”
Skips: “Antichrist,” “Road Rage,” “Head Honcho”
Rating: 7/10
Overall Thoughts:
One of the first things I thought while listening to this album was, “this would’ve been a great conceptual album to release instead of Relapse.” He likely would’ve been able to capture earlier impressions of himself organically in 2008. And it’s not like voice modulation technology was non-existent back then, despite being limited.

It also possibly would’ve also set a better trajectory for his career over the following decade, rather than seeing him consistently selling out and bending over backwards to appeal to all fans.

Nevertheless, while there are songs on here I can thoroughly enjoy at this stage in my life, there’s no doubt in my mind that there are also great tracks I would’ve enjoyed far more when I was younger. Additionally, some of the AI voices could’ve used some refining, being especially noticeable on “Brand New Dance.” As well as when the ‘Slim Shady’ persona raps, I can’t help but notice it drift between his SSLP, MMLP and TES voices, which can take me out of the experience at times.

Regardless of my belief of this album’s concept working better earlier in his career. It makes me excited for what’s next, especially taking into consideration his ability to put out tracks like “Fuel”, the highlights from MTBMB Side A, as well as the fact he doesn’t need to rely on a the ‘Slim Shady’ persona to compensate for a lack of confidence, like he did in his early career.

Even though most of the album I won’t be returning to very often, it’s without a doubt his most consistent work since Relapse. And while there’s a lot more I could talk about, like the waste of the great Em verse on “Head Honcho”, I’m trying my best to not write a book.

@AOTWClub @Justin Trudeau

 

Jul 19, 2024

Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)

Best tracks: Brand New Dance, Evil, Lucifer, Antichrist, Fuel, Guilty Conscience 2

Worst tracks: Road Rage, Head Honcho

OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

Overall thoughts:

Let me just start off by saying I’m glad Eminem finally put out an album that I think is good, it’s been so long since that has happened. I know some of you remember me being an absolute Eminem hater on this site like last year. A lot of it was hyperbole/me overreacting, but some of it was because I knew Eminem was capable of something like this. That’s why I started being so positive about Eminem leading up to this album. I had such a good feeling about it when that normally doesn’t happen with his albums.

The fact that an Eminem album has people making so many theories about it is amazing. When was the last time that even happened? While the concept isn’t perfect all the way through, I think he did a great job at executing a concept album in his own Eminem way.

I’m not gonna say much about the concept or all of the individual tracks here as I feel like people have already beaten those topics to death. Of course the use of his old voice and that being mixed in with his new voice was really innovative. There’s some s--- on here that sounds like prime Eminem as many others have said.

Although if Eminem without Slim Shady sounds like “Bad One” then I’m ready for it. I feel like that’s an underrated b-----r on this album I don’t see a lot of people talking about. It’s a great modern Eminem song.

I feel like this review is already too long, so I’ll end it here. I am mostly satisfied with this album and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here. The journey during these last 2 years has been a wild ride. Thank you all for taking the journey with me!
@AOTWClub

 

Jul 15, 2024

The Death of Slim Shady
WARNING - LOTS OF RAMBLING AND s--- so forgive me if this post seems all over the place (I may add more to this or not, won't lie, I'm willing to answer s--- if you feel like discussing some of this schizophrenic verbal diary of diarrhea)

After a couple of listens, I love this s--- to death at some points though it's got its flaws of course but nowhere near as many as I expect from a modern Eminem album
I now believe that the main reason I was so confused by it is because I couldn't believe what I was hearing (in a good way) I never thought I'd get a concept album from Em (you probably saw me throw a fit when Tobey came out and I thought it f----- up my hopes of that happening on the main Em thread)

In order to get my thoughts in order let me separate what I liked and what I didn't:

WHAT I LIKED:
This seems like a big step in the right direction, flows, autistic lyricism a la MMLP2 without sacrificing the idk "musicality" of the songs? ("sonically pleasing" anyone?)

The production and hooks are such a big step up from what's been happening since Recovery/MMLP2 (granted, s---'s been steadily improving since Kami with some pitfalls here and there)

It's a concept album from Em, one of my dreams come true and it didn't become a nightmare

I've seen a large portion of people claiming this has no replayability, I'm on the complete oppossite side of that, I keep finding new s--- every time I listen to one of the songs

"Guilty Conscience 2" is one of the most self aware Eminem tracks we've gotten in a long time (far f---ing cry away from some of the s--- on Revival for example, where he makes it seem like he's being introspective but he was just making excuses for s--- or the s--- that came AFTER revival which was often pointing the finger at other people)

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
I've said this before and feel like I'm on an island with it but I felt like the Slim Shady character was oversimplified in a way, he's always referred to as the guy that throws slurs around and says outrageous s--- for the sake of it (WHICH HE DEFINITELY IS, don't get me wrong) but that's PART of his character, he was also the guy that used this "IDGAF" act to hold up a mirror at society sometimes ("You want me to fix up lyrics while the president gets his d-ck s----d?") I hope I'm making myself clear here cause I don't want this to be seen as me pretending I know more about Shady than Em himself but imagine if someone asked you what "Walter White" was about and you responded with "Oh, it's a guy who sells drugs", sure it's true, but there's a lot more to the character than that no?
(I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on this cause I'm totally open to the idea that this is me glorifying the character (nostalgia, idealization, whatever) rather than Em oversimplifying it)

I feel like as much as I LOVE GC2 (probably one of my favorite Em tracks post hiatus, not just from this album) that Slim went a little easy on Em tbh (never once mentioning he used him to get out of the possibly carreer ending move that was revival, right after releasing that pile of dogshit, he quickly turned around and said "YOU WANTED SHADY? YOU GOT IT") and I understand that Shady's portrayed as Em's demons and flaws too but Slim also never mentioned that whatever Em did, he did to himself? (drug addiction, divorce, being absent as a father)
Disregard all of this if what he meant by doing this is showing us how he uses Shady to deflect all criticism regarding his flaws, if this is the case tho, I feel like it could've been fleshed out a bit more and better executed

Some of the bait Shady uses is way too obvious and doesn't land the hit (somebody needs to explain to him what Gen Z is and the pronouns bit feels like it's idk almost a decade late, not because it's offensive cause that was the f---ing point anyway, but because it feels out of touch a bit) this point ain't a dealbreaker for me and it doesn't really take away MUCH from the album cause I can see what he was trying to do at the end of the day

I can't really do anything with the last quarter of the album, some of the songs grew on me no doubt (I GOT A BAD ONE) but it feels so out of place and if it was meant to show us what Em can do without Slim then it's some worrying s--- (in the short run at least) cause it ain't horrible at all (mostly) but it's some mid s--- that can't even compare to the first dozen or so tracks


Final Score as of today (monday after the album came out): 8/10 (Lyricism is top notch even if some of his bad habits are still shown here, and the concept is successful for the most part, production is such a f---ing step up from what we usually get with those bland a--- trap beats and it's one of his better projects in a while overall)

If it ages well I can see this one staying at a 7 or 8 and becoming part of my top 5 from his discography

If it ages badly It could sit at a comfortable 5 or 6/10 and would still be on the upper half of his discography for me (him trying something new is so important to me that even if I end up not liking it as much in the future, I'd still appreciate the fact that he tried a concept and did it in such a way)


@AOTWClub

 

Jul 13, 2024

The Death of Slim Shady- Eminem



@AOTWClub I've decided to start the week early, I'll tally The Offspring- Americana Thursday night to let late reviews trickle in since Eminem stole some of the albums thunder. Thursday night I will also be making a new album schedule for participating members only.

Post your reviews now

Lowkitz: 6.8/10
Justin Trudeau: 8.5/10
Gimp: 5/10
Wreckless: 6/10
Omar Little: 8/10
Michael Myers: 7.5/10
Ice cube: 8/10
Yeez: 7.5/10
Jankland: 8/10
RipperRoo: 8/10
Stepdad enjoyer: 8.5/10
Hargydon: 7/10
Evad: 7/10
Diggledogg69: 8.5/10

104.3/140 = 7.4