May 2, 2025 at 7:07 PM

218. Eminem - The Eminem Show (2002) [May 2nd, 2025]

Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left

Here we are, the moment @Minato has been patiently waiting (pun intended) for. For the record, I do regularly listen to Eminem, its just not very common for me to listen to his full albums frequently. But still, I knew that when an Em album inevitably went on here, it deserved my full attention.

In hip-hop circles, its common to discuss "primes" and how they pair up against other artists. There are lots of famous primes, with some of my favorites being '96 2Pac, '98 DMX, 2001 Hov and 2010 Kanye. Aside from those examples, I think that Eminem from 2002-2003 could legitimately outrap almost any rapper. I know that that's a BIG statement, but its true. And I think that there is no album that reflects Em in his prime, more than The Eminem Show.

I think that "White America" is Em's best opener. To start off an album with a quick intro skit, and having that be followed up by the sounds of soaring planes and Em screaming "AMERICA!!!!!" is simply marvelous. In a lots of ways, TES serves a variety of different concepts for Em. It serves as a victory lap after SSLP and MMLP, a reflection on his current personal struggles, and its his 9/11 album. I could speak all day about how great of a song WA is, but I want to point out a key part of this album, that's one of the main reasons that I love it so much...

The inflections. I know what you're thinking, "What the h--- is an inflection?" To put it simply, the way that Em says every single word sounds f---ing masterful. There's countless example of this, but I'm going to use the following excerpt from "Soldier" to display it:

"I'm a lit fuse
Anything I do b----, it's news
Pistol-whippin' motherfuckin' bouncer 6'2"
Who needs bullets
as soon as I pull it, you sweat bullets"

I legitimately think that outside of '96 Pac, no other rapper has sounded this good. This carries on to "Business", which is one the most fun songs in Em's entire discography. Then we have "Cleaning Out My Closet" which has one of my favorite title drops EVER.

"'Cause I'da killed him; s--- I would've shot Kim and him both
It's my life, I'd like to welcome y'all to "The Eminem Show""

Then we have "Square Dance" which simultaneously serves as a Canibus diss, a commentary on the War on Terror, and a warning to everybody that wants to f--- with Em. It's stellar. Then there's the 3 track run of "The Kiss", "Soldier", and "Say Goodbye Hollywood", which is without a doubt, the best 3 track run in Em's discography. Em's production peaked on this record without a doubt, and these tracks are prime examples. The emotion on these tracks is off the charts man.

Then, there's "Drips". I...actually f--- with the song a lot. It has a decent beat, and Em and Obie do a pretty good job. I do think that it is weird to have it here though. TES mainly revolves around Em's personal issues at the time, so having a song about contracting AIDS is a bit out of place. Then there's "Without Me", which is the song that turned me onto Em in the first place. I think its by far the best out of his big 3 singles, and one of the best hip-hop tracks ever. That saxophone man,

Then, there's "Sing for the Moment". I admit that there have been times where I've gone back and forth on my appreciation for Em's music. Like, do I really love the music, or is it the memories that I have around it that keep me around?. Whenever those thoughts come up, SFTM reminds me about why I fell in love with Em's music in the first place. So much emotion in EVERY SINGLE word. And I honestly struggle to think about any other songs that can properly describe what it means to love music, more than this song.

"Superman" is fine. The outro is a bit too long imo. "When the Music Stops" is a great posse cut, but I gotta give a special shout out to Mr. Porter for the following:

"And you fall out the car and try to crawl with one arm
I'm 'bout to lose it all in a pool of alcohol
If my funeral's tomorrow
Wonder would they even call? When the music stops

Then we have the album's only miss, "Say What You Say". SWYS is boring. Its by far the worst Em & Dre track up to this point, and it just feels lackluster compared to the rest of the record. It's followed up by two of the best tracks in Em's discography however. "'Til I Collapse" needs no introduction. It's the ultimate hype track ever, and Nate KILLS the hook man. Then we have "My Dad's Gone Crazy" which starts out as a fun little track, and ends with one of the best closers to a rap song that I've ever heard:

"And that's pretty much the gist of it, Parents are pissed, but the kids love
it
Nine millimeter, heater stashed, in two-seaters with meat cleavers
I don't blame you, I wouldn't let Hailie listen to me neither"

If it weren't for "Drips" and SWYS, I would say that The Eminem Show is a perfect album. It showcases Em's best lyricism, production, and sound, and in terms of full albums, there's nothing like it. An incredible record nonetheless, and I will likely continue loving it for decades to come. Not sure about what Em is cooking up for next time, but I always have hope that he can someday reach these heights again.

Sidenote: "Stimulate" is one of Em's best tracks, and he 100% should've cut SWYS in order to include it;

 

May 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM

219. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) [May 2nd, 2025]

Finishing today with another album that is very near and dear to my heart. I think that in a lot of ways, Pet Sounds is the definitive "growing up" album. This whole album just encompasses all the good and sad things about entering adulthood. I should preface this log by saying that despite taking a few music theory classes, I remember absolutely nothing, so that's going to be missing from my review

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" starts the record off with one of the most beautiful love songs that has ever been made. And for the first half record, I'd say that I'm felt with lots of bittersweet joy from these tracks. A song like "That's Not Me" which is basically about a man moving a way because of a "dream", hits very close to home for me. Love is a very common theme on this record, whether it be the sweet romance depicted on "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" or the desperation shown by the narrator in "I'm Waiting For The Day". I think that the instrumental track "Let's Go Away For A While" ends Side A on a very blissful, and emotional note, and it's one of my favorite tracks on here (I know "Sloop John B" is the lack track okay, I just think that LGAFAW works better as the midpoint of the record).

Side B begins with the absolutely beautiful "God Only Knows", and the next couple of tracks are great as well. The love songs definitely begin to become less prevalent during this section, as we also get thinly-veiled LSD references on "I Know There's An Answer" and the absolutely heartbreaking "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". Then, we have the closer, "Caroline, No". This might be one of my favorite closers of all time. The choice to end this record with a melancholic song about a breakup, honestly makes the whole record just feel sad. The record perfectly represents the experience of growing up, and the disillusionment that comes with it. A definitive 10, and a must listen.

 

May 3, 2025 at 3:35 PM

220. Aphex Twin - Syro (2014) [May 3rd, 2025]

Here we are, the final full length album from Aphex Twin, at least for now. Syro is a very fun album, with tracks like "Xmas_Evet10..." and "Produk29" being prime examples of this. I will say that I'm not in LOVE with Syro however. Not because it's lacking anything, but because of how great the preceding albums are (except for RDJ album, that one's still the weakest for me). I have to give a shoutout to "aisatsana" however. As someone who loved the piano tracks on drukQs, this piece is incredible for me. The fact that a entirely piano driven piece can be so emotionally provoking, is truly spectacular. Gonna be checking out some of RDJ's non-album work in the near future hopefully.