Music Review: Eminem's "Relapse: Refill"

By our guest blogger, Sanela Djokovic

Eminem wanted fans to have a little something to chew on while they await "Relapse 2," set to drop next week. He wants to take his next album into a different direction and that is probably why he won’t include the eight tracks on "Refill" in "Relapse 2." It is just as well, considering that they are not solid enough on which to build an Eminem album around. Sure enough, all of the songs episodes of muddled lunacy--some dark, some comedic--which is to be expected. Ultimately, however, they are the idle little stocking-stuffers and not the wrapped-up gifts under the tree.

The first additions to the re-release is the hit record "Forever," which is off Drake’s debut album, but also featuring Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem. A nearly invincible team turned this song into a force on radio airplay and music television, with each artist leaving their signature on the track. Yet, Drake, Wayne and Best feel like an opening act for Shady’s verse, which is high-speed and sharp, and truly a lesson. Another lesson comes in the last track "Drop the Bomb on ‘Em," where Eminem uses a hard beat and even a Jamaican accent to let everyone know who runs the game: "Yea, you fresher than most boy/ I’m just doper than all boy." He not only defends his title, but points out the fear he believes he instills in people: "Shady please, please don’t drop the bomb on me… I don’t want no dog gone beef…"

Other amusing tracks include "Elevator," a taunting address of his image and recognition of how far he had made it, and "Taking My Ball," a declaration in a child’s voice where he drops names such as Sarah Palin, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Pickler and Mischa Barton. But, he leaves plenty of room for pill-induced hysteria. "Buffalo Bill" has an intro featuring a chainsaw, barking dogs and a screaming woman. It sounds very much like a B-list horror flick: "Skin ‘em up, hem ‘em up, sew ‘em up" and "severin’ legs, arms, damn there goes another limb." Then, there is "Music Box," about a child serial killer. The music-box sounds behind the flow of Em’s spittage sometimes distract you from the lyrics about drugs, guns and toy chest full of limbs.

The "Refills" tracks are not overpowering, not even very memorable, but they provide enough witty lines and fast rhymes to amuse Eminem fans for a short while. Not until next year, certainly, but they’re used to waiting.