Music Monday: Eminem

Whether you call him Marshall, Slim, Eminem or "that white guy with mad rhymes," he's back from a 5-year hiatus with his much anticipated album Relapse.
Let's back up a minute shall we?
Em's last studio album was 2004's Encore. He said he wanted to take a break from his own career and focus on family and the budding artists on the Shady/Aftermath label. Breaks for many artists are a time to rejuvenate and refresh, but for Slim quite of few things happened that kept him in the limelight.
In 2005, he cancelled a tour because he was hospitalized for dehydration and an addiction to sleeping pills.
In 2006, he remarried Kim (yes the same Kim he spoke of on Marshall Mathers LP's "Kim") and divorced her 11 weeks later. Eminem also lost his best friend, Proof, in a shooting at a bar in Detroit.
Take all of that pent up aggression, frustration, anger, and depression and put it on wax...Ladies and Gentlemen you have Relapse.
This album is so sick and twisted, but very Eminem.
Now, there has been some controversy about Em' picking at old wounds such as his relationship with Mariah Carey and his mother, but on "My Mom" Slim acknowledges this and opens with "My mom, my mom, I know you're probably tired of hearing about my mum."
He knows he is repeating the same topic, but the theme of his album is addiction (notice that the album cover is him made out of pills?) and it all fits.
Of course you have songs that poke fun at celebrities like "We Made You" and "Bagpipes from Baghdad."
But there are a few that sound like Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem. "Insane" is one of these songs, if you're not used to Eminem's obscurity or are a new listener I wouldn't start with this song. Eminem is one of the best lyricists out there, and this song paints a detailed picture of rape and incest into your head. My advice to you is to listen with caution, that one caught me off guard for a minute.
There's also talk of murder and assault on other songs and interludes as well. I've never believed the ratings put on albums, but if you are considering playing this for your kids, be prepared for them to sleep with you.
There are only two tracks with featured artists: The buzz single "Crack a Bottle" feat. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent and "Old Times Sake" with Dr. Dre. So 98% of the album is all Eminem. The beats? If you were even concerned about that you need to go back to the Slim Shady LP; the beats are bananas.
Results: ♫♫♫♫♫ of 5.
Though the topics are very sensitive *I wonder if the FCC is coming after him with this one* the lyrics are catchy, witty, classic Eminem, overall they're fire.
Also, what's been floating around is that there was so much music recorded this time that Slim Shady will be releasing Relapse 2, later this year.