Eminem, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) ⭐️⭐️⭐️❌❌
This was one of the trickiest reviews I’ve ever had to make. I’m completely split. Is the three star, right-down-the-middle score a cop out? Perhaps. But I’m so split on this album that I couldn’t justify bumping it down to a two, or up to a four.
First, the positives. The music itself is great. Eminem is as sharp a tack on here, as is the production. As far as lyricism and technicality, Eminem is, as usual, making a strong case for himself being G.O.A.T. Also, this album is a concept album, as you could probably tell from the title. And I actually really like what he was going for, and point he was trying to get across.
But on the other hand… The targets of the Slim Shady character’s provocations are either picked over low hanging fruit, or just odd choices. Little people, Christopher Reeve, Gen Z, and transgender people are his main targets. And he hammers them over, and over, and over again. This lack of creativity make the provocations just seem forced and cheesy, and like aimless punching down.
We live in such a crazy, reactionary world. There is so much Slim Shady could go after. But instead he keeps his sights narrow.
Favorite song: “Lucifer”
