The Marshall Mathers LP [Explicit Lyrics]

Eminem | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00004T9UF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,007 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,164 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Gangsta & Hardcore
  • #28 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Pop Rap
  • #57 in Music > Music Deals > Box Sets at 30% Off

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? On Eminem's sophomore album, he can't decide who he wants to be: the deranged pseudo-psycho of the Slim Shady LP, or a nice guy who just likes to rhyme about slicing and dicing his girlfriend ("Kim"). Of course, according to Eminem, he's just kidding. He refuses to take responsibility for the misogynistic, homophobic bile he spews, whining that he's the victim of people who don't get his unique sense of humor. It's good old America's fault if the kids aren't alright (Eminem blames bad parenting), and he's just capitalizing on Uncle Sam's dark side. On the Marshall Mathers LP, he's ambivalent about his fame, angry at his life, pissed off that people take him seriously, and fightin' mad at boy bands--and a lot of other white people. But the blue-eyed brat is acutely aware of his status as rap's resident alien: he has the most offensive mouth running, but never uses the "N" word. He gives lyrical love to tragic (black) legends like Tupac and Biggie while dissing white rappers hard. Even sitting duck Puffy gets the kid-gloves treatment. Of course, Eminem is an interesting, witty rapper, and there's some nice production on this CD, courtesy of Dr. Dre and others. But the hatred in Eminem's rhymes makes the album rotten at its core. And his protests that Slim Shady is just a persona become less convincing with each arrest. Then again, Eminem's got it hard: he's rich, famous, white, and male. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Product Description

UK version of the controversial rapper's sophomore album, one of the fastest-selling rap albums of all time. Includes one bonus track, 'The Kids'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and unbelievably good from start to finish, May 14, 2003

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Marshall Mathers LP (Audio CD)

The release of The Marshall Mathers LP must have driven a whole bunch of Eminem-haters crazy because, with this second album, Eminem proved he was here to stay. In my opinion, this is the best of Eminem's first three albums, taking the rap and hip-hop up more than a few notches from the already lofty heights attained in The Slim Shady LP. This artist's unique personal flair really bursts forth here, giving us beats and rhymes much more complex and musically adept than what had come before. In addition, Eminem has by now thoroughly come into his own. He is intentionally courting controversy, daring his critics and those who would love to have him censored or simply locked away somewhere to step outside with everything they have. Those who will look underneath the violence and the swearing and the offensive remarks Eminem makes in his lyrics will find a deeply complex person with something important to say, a man who does, in his own special way, highlight the kind of real problems many young people face in the modern world, and the accusing fingers he points in all directions often serve to highlight the problems inherent in the individual and society itself. And, as he is wont to say, he is the only person brave enough to say these things.

This album hits the floor running with Kill You, a track announcing to the world Eminem's confidence in himself and rejection of authority and criticism. This level of comfort and confidence proves a great boon to the next track Stan, a song in which he reverses roles and plays the innocent good guy who is too late to help a deeply troubled fan. Eminem marvels at his own stardom in Who Knew and Marshall Mathers, breaks the news to the Eminem-haters that I'm Back, and taunts them all, with a little help from RBX and Sticky Fingez, with the track Remember Me?. The Way I Am is an important song, as Eminem clearly understands that his public persona is not the real Marshall Mathers but is rather whatever the people think he is; to his critics, he will always be a subversive criminal corrupting the youth of America, but to his fans he is something much different. Songs like Amityville (featuring Bizarre from D-12) and ... Please II (with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit and Nate Dogg) raise the levels of violence and strong language up to a level that might not appeal to all Eminem fans, but the tracks are very well laid out. Criminal is the perfect ending to the album, a final statement about Eminem's nature and the interpretation of what he does by the public at large. However, the most important track on this second album, in many ways the song that made me a fan, is Kim. This track, a prequel to the first album's Bonnie and Clyde 97, is understandably controversial, seeing as how it is basically a fantasy about Eminem murdering his wife, but in a very, very strange way it is actually a love song of sorts. Few songs can rival it in terms of the immense power it communicates, especially toward the end when Eminem is basically shouting, letting go of all the betrayal and anger he feels inside.

I am not really into rap and hip-hop in general, so it is difficult for me to review albums such as this. Beyond trying to communicate how incredible I think The Marshall Mathers LP is, the main point I would like to make is that no one should simply dismiss this music without listening to it for themselves. Many of those who objectively give Eminem a chance will still hate the guy, but it is much better to determine your own feelings first-hand as opposed to dissing the guy simply because you've heard he is violent and dangerous or because some group has labeled him a bad influence on young people.

232 of 277 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is some SICK & TWISTED FUN!, May 24, 2000

By 

Kenneth M. Jackson "Kenn J." (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Marshall Mathers LP (Audio CD)

If this CD was made by HBO films, it would definitely qualify as a "guilty pleasure"! Lyrically, Eminem is brutally honest and holds no punches - dissing everybody from Will Smith, Britney Spears, President Clinton, Christine Aguilera, Christopher Reeves...and so on. This boy has some serious issues! With 18 tracks deep of punchlines and hooks that hurt, you'll get your money's worth.

Standout cuts are:

"Marshall Mathers" - In his sick-but-honest manner, Em addresses issues that affect him personally like phony family members, Tupac and Biggie's death, and boy bands.

"Stan" - This track displays his true writing talent. In jarring detail, Em displays the thoughts of a troubled fan desparate for his attention.

"Who Knew" - This is aimed directly at parents who blame all the troubles they have with their children on Em and others in the entertainment industry. Definitely worth the listen for those with teens.

"Kim" - Not for those raised in an abusive household. Brutal, in-depth view of a jealous husband/lover with a motive to be "rid" of his girl.

"Criminal" - Twisted and funny (especially the robbery scene). Eminem displays his many personalities with tight lyrics.

Helping to hold this album down are his boys D-12 (Dirty Dozen) from his hometown Detroit. They represent on the demented "Amityville" track and on "Under The Influence".

Compared to his debut album, this album is a lot darker. Please remember folks, this is just entertainment. Relax and enjoy.

-Kenetic Monk

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the wait, May 23, 2000

By 

There Can Only Be One (Only One Place) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marshall Mathers LP (Audio CD)

"The Marshall Mathers LP" is a stellar stand alone album and it is a more than impressive follow-up to "The Slim Shady LP" (which I thought was a classic)...In his first CD Eminem rapped about his life before he made his first album...in this album he talks about life since his first album...

This album is full of the unbelievable lyrical twisting and word arrangement that has become synonymous with Eminem...(You become so used to hearing his awesome flow that you almost forget how hard it is to give you verse after verse of hot lyrics)...If you are a true hip-hop fan you will love this album...(like Rah Digga said "Checkin for the rhymes not checkin for the track")...Pick any song and you will find more hot lyrics than you would find on the entire album of some of today's "hottest" rappers...don't get me wrong though...the tracks are hot too...

The only place where the album lacks is in the guest appearances...None of the guests on the album can touch Eminem in lyrical skills so they actually sound really wack next to him...(except track 15...Dre, Snoop and Xzibit hold their own)...

If you are familiar with Eminem, the album will not shock you as much as "The Slim Shady LP"...which is good...he has already made it known that he will say anythihg...any further attempt to prove that would be ridiculous...

If you didn't like the last album...or what Eminem has put out since...you won't like this album...This album is full of the same themes, tones and content of his previous work...but if you loved what Eminem has put out before...you will definately love this...