Encore
by Eminem
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 828 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 595 out of 828
  2. Mixed: 139 out of 828
  3. Negative: 94 out of 828

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  1. JesseB
    Apr 28, 2005
    10
    People say that music is suppose to be calming. To me its just spilling out all of your emotions. It doesnt matter if your good or bad. just be yourself
  2. shadyzlaydeemathers
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    excelent eminem is by far the best rapper evr there is and will be he is a living legend tupac r.i.p
  3. marandaboone
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    i love eminem and this song
  4. Skandalous
    Aug 14, 2006
    8
    "he
  5. JasonS
    Nov 12, 2004
    8
    Quality cd, Crazy in Love, Mockingbird and Encore are the best tracks.
  6. [Anonymous]
    Nov 12, 2004
    9
    Some of his most brilliant work is on this album like "Toy Soldiers", Mosh", and "Crazy In Love". Even half trying, he is much better than most rappers out there. I think this will be a CD that most people will not understand until a few years down the road. "Rain Man" is a great song, give it some more listens.
  7. Adam
    Nov 12, 2004
    10
    I am glad Eminem released this CD. He will now seperate the real fans who actually listen to him and the little bastards and hippocrits who claim to be "Eminem Fans". This album is brilliant because he's not rapping about what you want and he's changing his style. I don't need to try to convince anyone else though, I know this is a great album.
  8. DomP
    Nov 13, 2004
    9
    I know some of you are dissapointed...I actually had this CD a month ago and im not buying the copy thats out now...Wait 4 the special edition with We as americans and i love you more..both songs are impressive...U passed Em..but im looking foward to the nxt cd..u will improve
  9. MarkC
    Nov 13, 2004
    9
    Different from his other albums to be sure, but just as good. It is like he has worked through all his issues that were evident on his previous work, and now he can more fun with his songs. Look at Rain Man, Big Weenie and Ass Like That for example. This cd will weed out the "fans" that only listen for the controversy that he usually attracts, which can only be a good thing. I look Different from his other albums to be sure, but just as good. It is like he has worked through all his issues that were evident on his previous work, and now he can more fun with his songs. Look at Rain Man, Big Weenie and Ass Like That for example. This cd will weed out the "fans" that only listen for the controversy that he usually attracts, which can only be a good thing. I look forward to his future releases.… Expand
  10. PatrickS
    Nov 14, 2004
    7
    This CD has 4 good songs the rest are nowhere up to par.
  11. ZacharyB
    Nov 15, 2004
    8
    I will try to keep this as brief as possible. This is a near-flawless album. The only problem is that it may not be as good as the first three, but I don't think there's any point in comparing because every album this man has made in the last five years is an instant classic, and this is the first album he has released which is a holding pattern. Sure, he's heavy in the I will try to keep this as brief as possible. This is a near-flawless album. The only problem is that it may not be as good as the first three, but I don't think there's any point in comparing because every album this man has made in the last five years is an instant classic, and this is the first album he has released which is a holding pattern. Sure, he's heavy in the ether when it comes to bathroom humor this time around, and he does touch upon his various "beefs" more than he did on the last album, but Evil Deeds, Never Enough, Yellow Brick Road, Like Toy Soldiers, Mosh, Puke, My 1st Single, Rain Man, Just Lose It, Ass Like That and Encore are perfect songs that are all compulsively listenable, and that leaves about 5 weak tracks and some of his funniest skits ever, so I fail to see why people are getting down on Encore sore harshly. Perhaps if he had cut Big Weenie, Crazy in Love and Mockingbird and supplmented them with the three tracks on the bonus disc, We as Americans, Love You More and Ricky Ticky Toc (all great), and replaced One Shot 2 Shot with a non-conceptual, token D-12 track (which seemed to work pretty well on the Marshall Mathers LP and just as well on The Eminem Show) we would all be singing a different tune. Sure, Puke is called Puke, but it's infectiously catchy and hooky as well as clever and I can see how his rhymes fall flat occasionally but they're still tighter than any other MC now, before and most likely ever.… Expand
  12. CharlieLN
    Nov 15, 2004
    8
    I loved this CD. But still, not up to level of the Marshall Mathers LP or Em Show. i didnt really like all the goofy songs. i think everyone will rag on him so much his next cd will be angry- like mmlp, maybe. Anyways- in order, the best songs are: like toy soldiers, mockingbird, love you more, never enough(nate has a great hook), crazy in love, and encore.
  13. JosephA
    Nov 15, 2004
    7
    I think some of this album really shines. In some places its like hes holding on to his past, but there are moments that do show alot of growth. To me is seems very transitional. I think we're gonna get something really different and great on his next effort. I think what makes this disappointing is that most people thought we would get that "something different" this time around.
  14. JavonS
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    This album is just lyricially the best album he's ever done. Jay z is good but just not as good as eminem. Like someone else said. If u say this album is boring then u don't know rap at all and didn't take the time to listen.
  15. felixxxk
    Nov 16, 2004
    7
    i actually think it was a 6.5 performance ... it kinda seems eminems runnin out of stuff to rap about, so he just goes all out goofy on this album and maybe one track with farts and burps woulda been kewl but 5 or 6 tracks ? and i cant bring myself to agree with resurrecting the christopher reeves raps back from the marshall lp... but thats not to say that there isnt any good tracks on i actually think it was a 6.5 performance ... it kinda seems eminems runnin out of stuff to rap about, so he just goes all out goofy on this album and maybe one track with farts and burps woulda been kewl but 5 or 6 tracks ? and i cant bring myself to agree with resurrecting the christopher reeves raps back from the marshall lp... but thats not to say that there isnt any good tracks on the cd....puke, big weenie and spend sum time are good ones ... and sumhow we;re forgetting the bonus album where "we as americans" is probably better than almost every song on the normal cd ..... but we'll see how em responds to all the critisizm hes gettin… Expand
  16. leej
    Nov 17, 2004
    7
    it is his weakest yet his genius still shines through
  17. jackm
    Nov 17, 2004
    9
    great album. eminem continues to defy everyone by banging out hot beats, and not holding back on what he has to say. still the best.
  18. addyl
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    em always rapped words no one expected would rhyme. on encore he rhymes words that have no business rhyming. amazing feat. this album is hilarious, which is refreshing. toy soldiers almost made me cry.
  19. FabalosR
    Nov 22, 2004
    8
    He draws us in with four outstanding tracks: Evil Deeds Never Enough (5/5 50 Cent is just smokin on this rather short rap), Yellow Brick Road (5/5), and Like Toy Soldiers (5/5 very emotional; arguably best overall song on album) It starts to taper off with Mosh (3.5/5), a good anti-Bush song but nothing near Em's capability, and goes rock bottom with Puke, which along with Big He draws us in with four outstanding tracks: Evil Deeds Never Enough (5/5 50 Cent is just smokin on this rather short rap), Yellow Brick Road (5/5), and Like Toy Soldiers (5/5 very emotional; arguably best overall song on album) It starts to taper off with Mosh (3.5/5), a good anti-Bush song but nothing near Em's capability, and goes rock bottom with Puke, which along with Big Weenie, is the worst song on the album. Just when you think he has nothing left after My 1st Single, he drops in Rain Man (5/5, a hilarious rap in which Em loses his memory), but follows with the mediocre offerings of Big Weenie, Just Lose It (3.5/5 funny, solid single, but not great), and gets back on track with Spend Some Time (4/5), the hilarious A$$ like that Mockingbird (5/5 The most emotional song on the album), just loses it again with crazy in love, rebounds with one shot 2 shot, and finishes strong with encore (5/5 good party song). I know i write too much but thats cuz i play too much PUTT PUTT golf watching BUTT BUTTS. Overall, an inconsistent but solid album, some great songs mixed in with garbage. Total score: 4/5… Expand
  20. KristineH
    Dec 13, 2004
    10
    I love all of Eminem's CD's. This is no different. He sings more. I was so touched by the songs Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird, I got shivers. Regardless, whether bad or good, he speaks from the heart and how he feels. As a poet (myself), he has my love and respect. True feelings are not rated, nor should they be. There your own, and everyone interprets everyones words I love all of Eminem's CD's. This is no different. He sings more. I was so touched by the songs Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird, I got shivers. Regardless, whether bad or good, he speaks from the heart and how he feels. As a poet (myself), he has my love and respect. True feelings are not rated, nor should they be. There your own, and everyone interprets everyones words differently. No one really knows how EMINEM is feeling, but he expresses it through song, and we all should appreciate that, since - we are all fans. LOYAL FANS, regardless if one person thinks one song or album isn't as good. I love all his songs, I'm loyal. ----- If anyone doubts EMINEM, listen again, and carefully to the song Toy Soldiers. My respect goes out to Eminem and all he's done, for himself and for others. xoxo … Expand
  21. MercedesC
    Dec 21, 2004
    9
    This was an awsome CD, not as brutal as his past ones, and seems to have more emotion in it then and other. But I must say that when I first listend to 'Just loose it' I was disapointed.. But after hearing the other songs, it was like i was listening to him again. This isn't his best CD, but it definetly shows up other CD's that are considered 'hot' today..
  22. emfan
    Dec 23, 2004
    8
    it is not bad.. although the eminem show was better. eminem should get out some of the belching sounds and change dre for someone else. i like evil deedsm, mocking bird, like toy soldiers, mosh,big weenie,just lose it and crazy in love. rain man would be great with a different beat and 1st sinlge should have the burps left out and it would be great. the good songs patch up the bad songs it is not bad.. although the eminem show was better. eminem should get out some of the belching sounds and change dre for someone else. i like evil deedsm, mocking bird, like toy soldiers, mosh,big weenie,just lose it and crazy in love. rain man would be great with a different beat and 1st sinlge should have the burps left out and it would be great. the good songs patch up the bad songs (puke) though. some beats could use a bit livening up as they re sounding tired.… Expand
  23. Eminemfan
    Dec 26, 2004
    10
    this is a great album, i have all of his albums and i'm only 13 years old. I think that eNcore is the best yet. He speeks from the heart, i like all the songs, and anyone else who's slagging them off should try and do better! Eminem is great, his song mockingbird is my favourite, it proves that he doesn't just rap/sing about violence,people he doesn't like, and sex.
  24. MarshalMathers
    Dec 26, 2004
    10
    This CD had alot more meaning than everybody thinks. Take a couple hours to just listen to the lyrics. You'll then figure out why i gave this CD a rating of 10
  25. jessicas
    Dec 26, 2004
    10
    i love em. and i think what he is saying needs to be listen to a lot louder
  26. lexysuga
    Dec 29, 2004
    10
    This Cd is amazing, EVery single song. "Spend Some Time" keeps replaying even in my dreams, I love eminem so much. He did it again, this is absolutly wonderful
  27. JohnF
    Dec 31, 2004
    10
    "Encore" is the hottest set of candycane jamz you are ever likely to hear.
  28. JustVladimir
    Mar 16, 2016
    7
    Good album, but this album is not "2nd The Eminem Show". This is was funny (Just Lose It, Evil Deeds, etc.), emotinal (Mockingbird, Like Toy Soldires), seriously (Mosh). This is was 2004.
  29. jpava
    Nov 9, 2022
    7
    Encore its a a very good album, but the middle of it is very forgettable, like Puke and My 1st Single. But, with some legendary songs, like Like Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird, this album is not that bad
  30. mikehawk
    May 15, 2007
    8
    Eminem will never loose what he has!
  31. wiggettyw.
    Aug 29, 2007
    10
    Keeps getting better and better. Second only to The Eminem Show.
  32. mikeh.
    May 15, 2007
    10
    Anybody who says slim shady is a bad rapper is a complete loser and dont no what their talkin about because eminem is one of the greatest rappers ever and his new cd is the same. It has great beats and still good lyrics. So it is a great album
  33. jakep
    May 3, 2007
    10
    grate
  34. Manit99
    Jan 29, 2020
    10
    Great album with a better content than eminemshow and it was like a different type of album than the other 3
  35. MDFG72
    Aug 14, 2020
    8
    Encore is a personal favorite of mine. You have a bit of everything of what you expect out of early 2000’s Eminem. You have the Slim Shady alter ego reappearing once again in “Just Lose it”, You have the usual Kim relation issues in “Puke”, you have daughter recognition in “Mockingbird”, and rocking club hits like “Encore”. Then you have Eminem revealing a slim shady ego “Rain Man”, andEncore is a personal favorite of mine. You have a bit of everything of what you expect out of early 2000’s Eminem. You have the Slim Shady alter ego reappearing once again in “Just Lose it”, You have the usual Kim relation issues in “Puke”, you have daughter recognition in “Mockingbird”, and rocking club hits like “Encore”. Then you have Eminem revealing a slim shady ego “Rain Man”, and following “Square Dance”, a more political Marshall Mathers in “Mosh” and “We as Americans”. This is a turning point of Eminem who’s beyond his height of Fame, and is now addicted to drugs, and struggling to see the light of day. Though the middle was redone because of bootlegging of unreleased songs for “Encore”, it had failed to match the energy or amazement acquired by “The Eminem’s Show” or even the first 3-5 songs of “Encore”. Great Album, but could’ve been pushed back a couple months to resolve its issues, or been better off a scrapped album.… Expand
  36. Ringnes
    May 18, 2023
    10
    Rap/lyrical genious and the tracks are fiery fury good. My goodness, the is greatness.
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2004
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. The New York Times
    50
    "Encore" is almost willfully uneven: it includes some of the most exhilarating songs Eminem has ever recorded, alongside some of the most inert. [15 Nov 2004]
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  2. The A.V. Club
    70
    For the most part, Encore's strained, vaguely sad, regressive wackiness makes a lucid and compelling argument that Eminem should retire Slim Shady and let the real, serious Marshall Mathers stand up and be heard.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    65
    Encore is a fourth fascinating record from Eminem, but it's also easily his weakest and, in many ways, tamest album to date.
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