Boston's Boy review.

In March, a cocky, upcoming rapper named Sam Adams released his EP called Boston's Boy on iTunes and it hit the number one slot over recently released albums from mainstream heavyweights DJ Khaled and Lil' Wayne. However, there was a rumor that he allegedly bought his albums to boost sales, but that was denied later.

With the success of the EP - which followed an unofficial mix-tape (Boston's Opening Day) featuring the remix of Asher Roth's first hit called I Hate College (Remix) - Adams re-released the same album, but a hard copy of it. Along with the original eight tracks on the EP, Adams added four more tracks to go along with it, including one with Curren$y. Even though I've had most of the album for quite some time, it still technically counts as a new release, so I decided to review it.

1.) Comin' Up - 2.5/5

One thing you'll notice throughout the album is the beats. They're different than most you would hear on a rap album and I'm a fan of that. Sam comes in with an okay track to begin this, talking about how he's coming up in the rap game. The hook is pretty catchy...you'll hear me say this a lot.

2.) Driving Me Crazy - 4/5

This was the first single from Boston's Boy. Geared more to be a club song (another thing you'll hear throughout the album), it's up-beat and is pretty lady-friendly, but I dig his lyrics on it. Sam's lyrics actually make it guy-friendly as well in a way, with some quotables.

3.) Swang Your Drank - 1.5/5

Don't like this song at all and usually I'm not too hard to please.

4.) Just Love Here - 5/5

After the first three songs, you'd expect another song talking about sex, weed and partying in some nature. However, it's a big surprise when the beat drops and it's more of a chill one than up-tempo. Sam talks about his past and how he's made it to where he's at now. I'm a sucker for emotional, deep songs, and that's exactly what he has here. Best song on the album.

5.) Coast to Coast - 4.5/5

The piano comes in and it seems like it'll be another slower type song, but then the hook drops and it immediately changes everything. It's still slow compared to the other club bangers, but it's another fun, up-tempo track. I really like Sam's flow on the hook and the verses are pretty good as well. I wanted another verse though.

6.) You Girl - 3.5/5

Instead of speaking about multiple women, he focuses on one for this song. The beat features more piano and has a techno feel to it, but it's a very chill song and easy to listen to.

7.) Tab Open - 4/5

One listen to this and I have the hook stuck in my head all day. Fun fact: Sam's actual name is Samuel Adams Wisner and went by Wiz for a stage name. Well he addresses this during the song and explains why he just goes by Sam Adams now.

"I might be outside blowin' kush in the air
I used to be the Wiz til Khalifa said yeah"

Another party-esque song, but fun to listen to.

8.) I'm So High - 4.5/5

Before the hard copy came out, this was my second favorite song on the album behind Just Love Here. The beat is nice and I love the trumpet at the end. Just like Coast to Coast, I feel like it's a little short, and that's what essentially holds it back from a 5/5.

9.) Still I Rise ft. G. Curtis - 4.5/5

First bonus track I heard and I was really feeling it. G. Curtis holds the first guest spot and does a nice job on the hook. Sam's rhymes are pretty nice and I think his second verse is one of the best on the album as he speaks about how he's made his mark in the game, but isn't going anywhere but up.

10.) See Me Now - 4.5/5

Seems like Sam's speaking about an ex-girlfriend in this one, something I'd never expect from him considering the content of his lyrics in most songs. For a second, I thought the soccer player from Trinity near Boston was too good for relationships. He's pretty much saying he's changed and can settle down if he can have this girl back in his life. At least that's how I interpreted it.

11.) Fly Jets Over Boston ft. Curren$y - 3.5/5

I was so hyped for this song coming in, especially with the success of Pilot Talk from Spitta. Sam has a nice first verse and Curren$y rips it up in the second, but the song is too short and I hate the hook. A lot of potential for another 5/5 track, ruined because of a few fixable flaws.

12.) Just Sayin' - 4/5

As cliche as Sam's subject matter is at times, I laughed at the first line and can see that being used a lot.

"Chicks at my table lookin' at me all perplexed
Like, 'if you ain't interested in me, at least give me sex'"

He gives his fans a shoutout at the end of the second verse, as the entire song just consists of Sammy having a good time with it. Another fun - have I used this word too much for his songs yet? - track and a good way to finish the album.

Overall Grade: 3.8/5

Before I get into my final thoughts, let me say that Sam Adams' music is an acquired taste. It's geared more towards college kids and constant club goers, not to your diehard hip-hop heads who compare everything to Illmatic or The Blueprint. Anyways, this is a very enjoyable album if you are a fan of the guy. Maybe it's because I'm doing this review at three in the morning, but the score seems pretty high compared to my estimate (3.2-3.5) before I actually started it.

Sam is still very young and has some big-time potential, but he chooses to focus the subject of his songs on the same material (sex, alcohol, weed). That's why I was pleasantly surprised by Just Love Here and See Me Now; two songs that are out of the ordinary for him. If he could create more tracks like them, then I think he can gain more of an appreciation from the true hip-hop heads.

Overall though, Sam knew who he was focusing to please and did just that with Boston's Boy. The question will be with his 1-2 mixtapes coming out later this year, will he continue to create the tracks you'll hear bumping from dorm parties, or will he start putting more raw emotion into his work?

Pilot Talk review.

Weed, cars, bitches; that's Curren$y's life and he'll brag about it in almost every line he spits. After being dropped from Young Money, him and Dame Dash resurrected Roc-A-Fella records as the rapper from New Orleans continued to drop mixtape after mixtape. This Ain't No Mixtape dropped last year and I still bump some of the tracks daily from it. (He also released another LP called Jet Files, but I've never listened to it yet.) Now that his third album has dropped - one of top five albums I was most excited for coming into the summer - there was no doubt that I was reviewing this.

1.) Example - 4/5

Just like This Ain't No Mixtape, the intro/first track starts with a couple of guitars in the background. Gives off a very chill vibe, just like most of Curren$y's past work. It's not technically an intro, but the length resembles it. Good start to the album.

2.) Audio Dope II - 4/5

Example leads perfectly into the second track Audio Dope II, as the drums in the background give off the laid-back feel that consists throughout the entire album. The beats are already possibly some of my favorites in any project this year, so if Spitta's rhymes won't catch your attention, at least you can enjoy the background music.

3.) King Kong - 5/5

The lead single of this was released to the public months ago and it had me real hyped for the album. Everything's just so dope about this, from the beat to the showboating lyrics. I've been bumping this song in my car every day for at least a month straight.

4.) Seat Change ft. Snoop Dogg - 3.5/5

When the original tracklist came out, this song had Wiz Khalifa for a guest appearance. As a big fan of the rapper from Pittsburgh, this raised my hopes for this track, but a last-minute change lowered my expectations...at least by a rating of enjoyability. I've never been a huge fan of Snoop Dogg, but he doesn't ruin this track. In fact, I think I enjoy his verse more than Curren$y's.

5.) Breakfast - 4.5/5

Short, but so damn good. The horns at the beginning bring you in, then the drums come in as Spitta lets loose on an impressive verse, which includes giving his boy Wiz Khalifa a shoutout. Unfortunately, it's just one verse and it sounds like a freestyle more than an album track, which bumps it down from a 5/5.

“X-Box web browser, downloaded, updated NBA roster
Play an 82-game season
Condo full of snacks, Spitta not leavin’
Off brand muthaf***as, odd number, you are not even
On my level, write that sickness, my ink pen sneezin’
Yancey Thigpen, can’t catch me sleepin'”

6.) Roasted ft. Trademark & Young Roddy - 5/5

Possibly my favorite Curren$y line from this album resides in this song.

"The hearts of women melt when trilla lyrics are felt
Olympic swimmin' in bitches, Michael slash Leon Phelps"

Trademark does a decent job on his first verse, then rips up the hook very nicely...possibly my favorite hook of the album. Young Roddy sounds just like Spiita as he finishes off the song with his third verse and he does a good job himself. Probably my third favorite song of the album.

7.) Skybourne ft. Smoke DZA & Big K.R.I.T. - 4/5

The beat gives an elevator music type feel to it, which continues the chill and relaxing theme of the entire album. For the first time, Spitta gets overshadowed by his one guest artist Big K.R.I.T. Another solid track.

8.) The Hangover ft. Mikey Rocks - 3/5

Can't pull out anything that I like from this. Not a bad track by any means, but it is the worst on the album.

9.) The Day ft. Jay Electronica & Mos Def - 5/5

Top five track of 2010 for me. Curren$y starts off the song with a very nice first verse, then Mos Def adds a great hook that fits the beat and subject matter of the song. Jay Electronica then comes in and overshadows Spitta, but it's all good because both artists came with their A-game.

"I pray this flow is dumb enough
I pray my heart is DMC and Reverend Run enough"

10.) Prioritize (Beeper Bill) ft. Nesby Phips - 4.5/5

From the two tracks I've heard Nesby Phips (including this one), I've started to come a fan of him. He does well on Wiz Khalifa's Supply from Kush and Orange Juice and impresses here as well. Curren$y's hook pays homage to Big Boi during Outkast's album Aquemini...it's pretty dope.

"If you ain't go no rims n***a, don't get no wood grain steering wheel
But you can lay back and let your paper stack
Instead of goin' into overkill, pay your f***in' beeper bill, bitch"

11.) Chilled Coughpee ft. Devin the Dude - 3.5/5

Another really short song, but it's got some humor to it; especially with Devin the Dude's verse. In addition to talking about smoking weed, he throws some funny metaphors in there and even speaks about reusing a condom. The beat fits this perfectly, just like every song on the album.

12.) Address ft. Stalley - 4.5/5

Curren$y goes in with a dope first verse, then Stalley - who the hell is this guy? - responds with a dope verse of his own. I can't even decide who's was better, but this song just screams dope as well.

13.) Life Under the Scope - 5/5

And the album ends on a really high note, as Spitta takes a song from his mixtape Smokee Robinson and tweaks the instrumentals to create an amazing track.

Overall Grade: 4.3/5

Besides maybe The Hangover, there are no weak spots in this album. Everything's just so awesome about this project, from the beats (best production I've heard in a mixtape/album all year) to the lyrics (not the flashiest, but some of the most clever) and even the guest appearances. I can listen to the entire thing multiple times and focus my attention on something different with each listen while still enjoying it. Roc-A-Fella came back with a huge bang with Pilot Talk for sure.

I had pretty high expectations coming into this, considering Spitta's work on This Ain't No Mixtape (estimated 3.7/5 if I were to rate it song by song) but this succeeded them all. Like I mentioned in the last review (Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty), I find that Eminem's Recovery has more standout tracks, but it wasn't as complete as Big Boi's. This surpasses them both in how complete it is and I can't find one major flaw that brings it down. It's the jets, fool.

Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty review.

As I awaited the release - or the leak - of Curren$y's new album Pilot Talk, Big Boi released his debut solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. I've always been a fan of Outkast - moreso of Andre 3K than the Purple Ribbon All-Star leader - but at first didn't really give this a chance, because I was just kind of lazy to listen to it. After hearing two tracks on YouTube (Shutterbugg, Shine Blockas), and I decided to cop the entire album and listen to it. Great decision by yours truly.

1.) Feel Me (Intro) - 3.5/5

Sounds just like an Outkast album to kick off the CD. Very chill with the whistling in the background and it just really starts the album off right. I've seen intros go bad that completely ruins the vibe that the album is giving and vice-versa...well I already got a good vibe going into Daddy Fat Sax.

2.) Daddy Fat Sax - 4.5/5

The only bad thing I can say about this song is the length...I wanted more than two minutes and 37 seconds. The beat is dope, Big Boi flows really well and the hook fits perfectly. This has the most plays on my iTunes and is probably my second favorite off the album.

3.) Turns Me On ft. Sleepy Brown & Joi - 3.5/5

Sleepy Brown does a nice job on the hook and I get the chill vibe from this track again. Nothing really stands out to me, but it's a good song and doesn't get skipped often.

4.) Follow Us ft. Vonnegutt - 2/5

I was really liking this a lot, until the hook. Just like Need You from my last reviewed album Lazarus by Travie McCoy, a good song is ruined by a horrible hook. It's not that I don't like Vonnegutt, but this just doesn't fit at all for me. It reminds me of Magic off of B.o.B's debut album The Adventures of Bobby Ray and I absolutely hated that track.

5.) Shutterbugg ft. Cutty - 3/5

This was actually the first song I heard from this album, after its music video came on MTV2 while I was browsing through channels. I didn't really like it at first, which was one of the reasons why I didn't really jump right into listening to this album, but after listening to it a few more times, I've gained more of an appreciation for it. Not a great song, but it's not bad.

6.) General Patton ft. Big Rube - 4/5

The first few seconds wanted me to switch to the next song, but then everything comes and ties in perfectly, leaving me with a very enjoyable beat. Flow's on point as well.

7.) Tangerine ft. T.I. & Khujo - 5/5

I'm a sucker for beats with some sort of guitar playing in them. Then the drums come in and it really sets it off. This is my favorite song on the album because everything just comes together perfectly for me. Add to that with a nice guest spot by the king of the south, T.I., and you have your first 5/5 track of the album.

8.) You Ain't No DJ ft. Yelawolf - 4/5

Oh look, an Andre 3K appearance! He produces a banging beat here and Big Boi rips it up nicely. So why the 4/5 instead of a 5/5? Yelawolf. He's absolutely horrible and usually I'll fast-forward through his verse just to make the song more enjoyable. Doesn't ruin the song like Vonnegutt does in Follow Us but it does bring it down a bit.

9.) Hustle Blood ft. Jamie Foxx - 4/5

Another very good track. I know a lot of people don't care for his music career, but I like Jamie Foxx on most tracks; at least when he's on the hook. By the way, Lil' Jon really produced this? That's the first time I've heard his name in years. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaah!

10.) Be Still ft. Janelle Monáe - 4.5/5

I love Janelle Monáe's voice. That is all.

11.) Fo Yo Sorrows ft. George Clinton - 4/5

Another very good song that I can't skip. Everything just mixes well.

12.) Night Night ft. B.o.B & Joi - 4.5/5

Yet another very good song. I always love me some B.o.B and he does his thing on the hook. Big Boi stopping the song before the second verse was pretty cool as well. Besides Yelawolf, his guest appearances have been very solid. That is until...

13.) Shine Blockas ft. Gucci Mane - 4/5

Ugh, Gucci Mane. I love this song and the beat gives me the impression of International Players Anthem by UGK in a way, but I just can't get over Gucci being in this. I treat it just like You Ain't No DJ; whenever Gucci comes up on his verse, I'll fast-forward through his part. Would have been a 4.5 or 5/5 if he wasn't in it, easily.

14.) The Train Part II (Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves the Day) ft. Sam Chris - 3/5

This is another decent song, but compared to the last eight tracks, it's a big drop-off. I can't really explain the reason why I'm not feeling it as much as the others, it's just not as appealing. Maybe it'll change over time like Cinderella Man by Eminem. Also, I feel like B.o.B would do a lot better job on this...just fits him better I think.

15.) Back Up Plan - 4.5/5

And Big Boi ends his album on a high note. I love the line at the beginning:

"Ooh I got a backup plan, to the backup plan, to back up my backup plan"

And then everything comes right together. The cheerleaders (that's what I picture them as at least) do one of their little chant things that ties in nicely, then Big Boi comes in with a vengeance. Probably one of my five favorite songs on here...definitely behind Tangerine and Daddy Fat Sax but maybe as high as third.

Overall Grade: 3.9/5

I'm very glad I decided to give this a listen because it's easily one of my favorite albums of the year. I think the rating might be a little low personally and was expecting it to trump Recovery, but it obviously didn't when the ratings averaged out.

I'll say that Eminem's album (to me) has more memorable tracks (hence why I gave it 5/5 on four tracks and 4.5/5 on five others), but overall, I feel like this is a more complete album, or at least more enjoyable. Both are very good though and highlight a very good year in hip-hop music, so far. There are plenty more albums that are being released this year that want to leap over both Recovery and Sir Lucious Left Foot.

Lazarus review.

After reviewing two of the biggest and most hyped albums of this summer, I decided to step back a little bit and cover an album that most people are sleeping on. Yeah, the first single Billionaire is getting loads of radio play, but I guarantee if you ask someone random, chances are they wouldn't know what album it's from.

Travie McCoy, the lead singer from Gym Class Heroes, released his debut album Lazarus on June 8th. So after weeks of putting it off, I finally sat down and gave Lazarus a full listen, collecting my thoughts on the way.

1.) Dr. Feel Good ft. Cee-Lo - 3/5

A nice, fun track to start off the album. Cee-Lo delievers on the chorus, but besides that, it sounds like just a track off of a Gym Class Heroes album. Not saying that's bad, but I'll talk about that a little more later.

2.) Superbad (11:34) - 3.5/5

I'm feeling this song, despite the lack of rapping. (This is supposed to be a hip-hop album, right?) The lyrics are darker than any other song on the album and the beat fits it pretty well. I'm still awaiting something that pushes this away from Gym Class Heroes though.

3.) Billionaire ft. Bruno Mars - 4/5

Everyone and their mother has heard this song already; I can tell by the constant quoting of the chorus on people's Facebook statuses. Bruno Mars is starting to become a go-to-guy for choruses as he does an excellent job here as well as Nothin' On You by B.o.B. Despite it being very radio-friendly, Travie does a nice job distancing himself from the band and doing his own thing here. Lyrics are decent and we all know by now it's very catchy.

4.) Need You - 2.5/5

This sounds like a Kelly Clarkson/Katy Perry song to begin with. Travie leaves rapping behind (again) and goes with strictly singing here, but once again, I'm feeling it...until the chorus; what an absolute buzzkill. The lyrics are fine, but the completely changing of the beat and his singing just ruined it for me. Change the chorus and you have a very good song.

5.) Critical ft. Tim William - 2.5/5

More singing...is Travie going to differ himself from the band? This isn't a bad song by no means, but nothing is standing out.

6.) Akidagain - 4.5/5

This is what I'm talking about. Travie finally starts rapping and the chorus is absolutely perfect for the subject matter. The lyrics speak about him reminiscing on when he was a little kid and that he would love to go back to that time. This is an absolute turn-off for the "gangster" rapper fans, but someone who enjoys a lot of different genres, this is great.

7.) We'll Be Alright - 1/5

Talk about a fall off. This song just screams dumbed down mainstream and in fact, it is the second single on the album. Sounds like a Disney Channel track, minus some of the lyrics speaking about alcohol and such. Worst track on the album.

8.) The Manual ft. T-Pain & Young Cash - 2.5/5

T-Pain and Travie...an interesting combo. Sounds like a Gym Class Heroes track again and although none of the lyrics stand out, the beat keeps me interested a little bit and let's me get through the whole song.

9.) After Midnight (It'll Burn) - 3.5/5

More Gym Class Heroes-esque music, but I really like this song. Again, he starts with singing and just when you think he's going to sing the whole song, he switches it up with a whole verse of just rapping.

10.) Don't Pretend ft. Colin Munroe & Travis Barker - 4.5/5

I was watching BET's 106 & Park the other day and sure enough, Travie was on it talking about his album. When they discussed Don't Pretend, he mentioned that he was sick when they recorded the track, hence why it sounds like he's crying in a way. Absolute genius because it adds so much emotion into an already deep track. Lyrics are on point and fit the subject matter perfectly (girlfriend cheating on him, ends up getting with the guy she cheated on him with) and the only thing stopping this song from getting a perfect rating is that it's too short. One more verse, Travie!

Overall Grade: 3.2/5

The first thing I thought of after seeing the average rating was, "maybe I was a little too tough on Drake's album." I can't see this getting as much play as Thank Me Later did, but maybe that's because it only has 10 tracks. Anyways, I digress; let's get back to Travie.

Travie will never spit like the best in the game, but his flow just fits his personality perfectly. It doesn't feel awkward or forced at all, just sounds like he's having fun (Billionaire, Akidagain) or he's showing true emotion (Don't Pretend). He needs to rap more though if he wants to receive more recognition by the true hip-hop heads of the world.

I enjoy the Gym Class Heroes, but one of the things I wanted to see out of this album is if Travie would step out of the box and do his own thing. For the most part, he didn't, because a lot of the album sounds like throw-away tracks from GCH. It affected my rating a bit, but this is still a decent debut which is perfect for the summer season.

Recovery review.

After a disappointment in most hip-hop fans' eyes with the release of Relapse last year, Eminem scraped the idea of releasing a 'sequel' to it and instead changed the name to "Recovery." As the album gained more press, those same fans started to get really excited once again. And why shouldn't they have been excited? It's been eight years since Slim Shady released a good album (The Eminem Show).

One of the biggest flaws on Relapse was the annoying accent Eminem tried to make work throughout most of the songs. Most of the casual hip-hop or Marshall Mathers' fans hated it; hell, even some of his 'Stans' didn't care for it either. Eminem saw that and addressed that in his first single, "Not Afraid."

"And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last Relapse CD was 'ehhhh'
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Relax, I ain't going back to that now"

That line right there instilled more excitement in me than any other previous album, from any artist. With his promise, I expected an epic comeback and another project that would have him inching closer and closer to Pac and Big on the GOAT list.

Then the track-list was released and I know a lot of Eminem fans frowned that day. No Slaughterhouse? 50 Cent? Dre? D12? He's doing tracks with Rihanna and Pink? And Kobe Bryant is rapping nowadays? I'll even admit that I was bit disappointed, but I still had high expectations for the album.

Now, it has leaked onto the Internet and the most anticipated album of this entire year (for me, at least) is in my collection. All I can say is that before this leaked, I was listening to Thank Me Later and Bar Exam 3 (Royce da 5'9's new mix-tape) constantly. They haven't gotten a play since.

1.) Cold Wind Blows - 3.5/5

The start of this song really throws it back to the Slim Shady LP or Marshall Mathers LP days with the constant talking about his dick and other things; at least I thought so. Punchlines galore in this one, as Michael Vick, Mariah Carey (a given), and Aquaman all get mentioned. A nice song, but it's not anything I'd play constantly.

2.) Talkin' 2 Myself ft. Kobe - 5/5

Wow, after a single with the first track, Shady knocks this one out of the park. Kobe does an outstanding job on the hook and should be looked upon to deliver more hooks for more artists in the future. Em goes in with lots of confessions, including when he thought about dissing Lil' Wayne and Kanye West for no reason. The best quotable in this one is in the third verse:

"It’s different, them last two albums didn’t count
Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushing em out"

3.) On Fire - 4/5

Eminem unleashes some of the old magic again with this track. Crazy, out-of-this world lyrics, and a diss towards a celebrity or two. Let's hope Slim doesn't run into Hulk Hogan anytime soon or this will be his last album. Overall, it's a pretty good song, but like Cold Wind Blows, it gets skipped sometimes because of the great tracks later on.

4.) Won't Back Down ft. Pink - 4/5

What a weird collaboration, huh? It works though. Pink does a nice job on the hook, then Marshall goes in with so many punchlines that make you rewind it to hear if he actually said that. My favorite:

"I gave Bruce Wayne a Valium and said
Settle ya f***ing ass down, I'm ready for combat-man
Get it, calm batman?"

I also love how in the middle of the third verse that the music turns down and you're wondering if you nudged the volume button by accident, but then it picks back up. Just an overall great track and you could tell he had fun with it.

5.) W.T.P. - 3/5

W.T.P. stands for White Trash Party; fun fact of the day. The beat's nice and Eminem comes in with some nice punchlines, but I can't really pick anything out of this song that I love. Solid, but skippable.

6.) Going Through Changes - 5/5

Another incredible track. This gives me goosebumps because of the journey Eminem takes us listeners on when he discusses Proof's death and how he almost died from his drug addiction. The Ozzy Osbourne sample is perfect for this song as well. It's the second 5/5 on this album, but we're still a way from the top track.

7.) Not Afraid - 4.5/5

This was the first single from Recovery and it was one of his best ever. Instead of the corny, goofy ones, Shady comes with an inspirational track that fits perfectly after Going Through Changes. The line I posted in the introductory paragraphs got me hyped for this album like I said, but there are other great lines too:

"Quit playing with the scissors and s***, and cut the crap
I shouldn’t have to rhyme these words in a rhythm for you to know it’s a rap
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth
For that f*** your feelings, instead of getting crowned you’re getting capped"

8.) Seduction - 3/5

Besides W.T.P. and another track, this is one of the weakest on the album. I do like how Em took a page from Hov's book, by dropping some "aww's" in the second verse. Reminds me of Superman a little bit, but maybe that's just me. Another skip, but it's not horrible.

9.) No Love ft. Lil' Wayne - 5/5

We have another winner here. Wayne finally comes through with a nice verse in his guest appearance, then Just Blaze did an excellent job sampling Haddaway's What is Love? for the chorus. Eminem follows up with an outstanding verse of his own, combining raw emotion, punch-lines, a Kanye West/Taylor Swift moment, and some nice ad-libbing from Weezy. Just an amazing song...another 5/5, but STILL not the top track on here.

10.) Space Bound - 4.5/5

I'm not going to lie, but when I first looked at the track list, I thought this song was going to be completely lame. Sounds like something Kid Cudi would have on his album (just to let you know, I wouldn't have been upset if Cudi had a track named Space Bound on his album, because that's his thing). Anyways, this is another great track. This makes me feel that Em was in love with someone other than Kim and this song expresses that feeling. Of course, he goes with the Kim-esque ending on the third verse, but it still sounds nice.

11.) Cinderella Man - 3/5

Unlike Space Bound, I was excited to listen to this song because it just screamed "inspirational" to me, like a Till I Collapse. However, I was extremely disappointed when that was not the case. There's more Relapse bashing and some good flow, but another skippable track.

Note: When I say "skippable" track, I mean that I can listen to it sometimes, but usually it does get skipped. If a track's just awful, I'll say that and never listen to it again.

12.) 25 to Life - 5/5

And here's the best track on the album. I had high expectations for this one when I saw it on the track list, and it exceeded them by far. It sounds like Eminem is talking about Kim throughout the song, but then he drops the bomb at the end and changes the entire complexion of the story when he reveals it's about the hip-hop game. I'm dead serious when I say this could be one of his top five songs of all-time...or at least near that category. It's everything I wanted out of this album.

13.) So Bad - 2.5/5

Worst song on the album, gets skipped just about every time. Maybe it's because I was expecting something great after the masterpiece that was "25 to Life" but it just didn't happen. It's not even that bad, but just mediocre compared to the rest of the songs.

14.) Almost Famous - 4.5/5

Much better, Shady. Right off the bat he throws a Roethlisberger line in there, poking fun at the whole rape accusation like he did in the Despicable freestyle. This track discusses his state of mind before he actually blew up and made it. It reminds me a little of something I'd find on SSLP, but not quite as good.

15.) Love the Way You Lie ft. Rihanna - 4.5/5

And Rihanna makes it 4/4 on guest appearances, doing a fantastic job with the chorus on this song. Pretty obvious, but this talks about the highs and lows of a relationship, followed by its ending coupled with verbal and physical abuse. (How ironic is it that Rihanna is on this track with that type of subject matter?) I think this will end up being a single, which would make for one interesting video.

16.) You're Never Over - 4.5/5

The perfect tribute to Em's fallen friend, Proof. Very deep, emotional, and motivational; I know he's looking down at Marshall, smiling. The only downside of this song is the chorus, showing that Shady should stick to rapping.

17.) Here We Go [hidden track] - 4/5

Another track that reminds me of his older stuff ends this album. Just sounds like he had a lot of fun with this one and there are metaphors and punch-lines for days. Pretty nice for a hidden track to wrap this up.

Overall Grade: 4.1/5

If you were expecting another MMLP/SSLP, please slap yourself now. This is a new Eminem, with a little bit of the old sprinkled in and I love it. You can tell that he had a lot of motivation with the death of Proof and the so-so reviews of Relapse. Recovery was a true recovery of sorts.

Less singing and maybe a few more features to get his vocal cords off the choruses would shoot this album into the category of MMLP and SSLP. Some of the production is a little stale, but I'm more of a lyrics guy and that's what really won me over with this album.

I'd rank this just behind The Eminem Show, but miles ahead of Infinite, Relapse and Encore. It's pretty impressive that you can be nearing 40, haven't dropped a great album in eight years and then come with something very, very good after scrapping your original plans.

There's a lot of competition for AOTY (Album of the Year), but Recovery has to be near the top of the list. Eminem is back, folks.

Download: Eminem - Recovery