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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Emperor
    Apr 8, 2011
    8
    One thing you ought to know: The lyrics of Encore was tuned down completely probably because of the too much attention he was getting for his lyrical content. There are very good tracks on Encore, Evil deeds started the album with a big Boom just the way White America did on Eminem show, Toy Soldiers was classic, other good tracks include MOSH, PUKE, YELLOW BRICK ROAD, RAIN MAN, MOCKINGOne thing you ought to know: The lyrics of Encore was tuned down completely probably because of the too much attention he was getting for his lyrical content. There are very good tracks on Encore, Evil deeds started the album with a big Boom just the way White America did on Eminem show, Toy Soldiers was classic, other good tracks include MOSH, PUKE, YELLOW BRICK ROAD, RAIN MAN, MOCKING BIRD, ONE SHOT 2 SHOT, CURTAINS DOWN, SPEND SOME TIME, JUST LOSE IT & ASS LIKE THAT are Good tracks as well. Generally, the album is very good just that the lyrics was completely tuned down compare to his previous Three. Btw, Encore was better than most of the rap albums released in 2004/2005(If not all) !!!!!… Expand
  6. DaBlackNight
    Feb 26, 2012
    8
    Eminem Can Definitively Improve. What Am I Saying? This Record Can Be One Of Eminem's Top Albums. I Enjoy About 8 Songs On This Album, but They Are Songs I Feel Like Listening From Time To Time.
  7. axelkoch
    Nov 5, 2012
    8
    Neither a step forwards, nor a step back. A solid rap album containing fantastic wordplays and great lyrics. It's not perfect, because it has still got unnecessary dumb parts in it, but Em got older and you can hear that. His second best album after 'The Eminem Show'. - "Just Lose It" and "Mockingbird" are two of his all time top 10!
  8. tonto
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    It's not Eminem's best, but also not his worst. This was somewhat early Eminem just before his hiatus so it still has that early 2000's Eminem sound. The tone here is kind of all over the place, with some really serious tracks and some silly tracks with toilet humor. Some of his sillier songs are fun like Rainman, Big Weenie, and Just Lose It. Never Enough is a solid up-tempo banger whichIt's not Eminem's best, but also not his worst. This was somewhat early Eminem just before his hiatus so it still has that early 2000's Eminem sound. The tone here is kind of all over the place, with some really serious tracks and some silly tracks with toilet humor. Some of his sillier songs are fun like Rainman, Big Weenie, and Just Lose It. Never Enough is a solid up-tempo banger which is more serious but not overly sentimental as is Evil Deeds. The song Encore is also a good club banger with a hard-hitting beat. The album's shortcomings are in the overly sentimental hip hop ballads like Mockingbird, Crazy In Love doesn't really work as a hip hop love song. Puke is yet another song dedicated to his estranged wife Kim with harsh, biting lyrics. Like Toy Soldiers is decent if a little mawkish.… Expand
  9. TheWalrus2000
    Apr 12, 2013
    8
    A not as good but very strong album by Eminem, many of the songs are memorable and go down in history but all in common are complaints about his life. Still memorable beats complaining.
  10. Dragonfly02
    Mar 4, 2018
    8
    At least it was better than The Eminem Show. The song Puke actually made me want to throw up because he was throwing up in the song.
  11. CSA
    Jan 18, 2020
    8
    Would have been another classic if it wasn't for those leaks. Imagine some of the songs such as Big Weenie replaced by bonus tracks. Still very enjoyable tho.
  12. SuchiB14
    Nov 1, 2018
    8
    Although not his greatest album, I find that Encore is severely underrated and overhated. The album has some really trash tracks, but they do not make up the majority of the album and the other tracks make up for them. This record is certainly not a classic, but its material is great, even though it does vary. After all, you are allowed to have fun and serious tracks on a record. **** theAlthough not his greatest album, I find that Encore is severely underrated and overhated. The album has some really trash tracks, but they do not make up the majority of the album and the other tracks make up for them. This record is certainly not a classic, but its material is great, even though it does vary. After all, you are allowed to have fun and serious tracks on a record. **** the 'Just Lose It' video was so funny, and if you were offended, get hard. Em doesn't kill like he did on previous albums, but he set himself a high bar to stay consistent upon; of course, it didn't help that he was on drugs. 8/10… Expand
  13. Rap_Reviews
    Jan 20, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 2nd worst Eminem album. This album has 4 wack songs, 2 mediocre songs (Just lose it & Ass like that). Sometimes this album sounds ugly but it also has 2 classic songs Like toy soldiers & Mockingbird) & 5 underrated songs (Crazy in love, spend some time, one shot 2 shot, Encore & Mosh) Features did a good job. This album gets hate because it released after Eminem show otherwise this album is good...… Expand
  14. 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
  15. todaywasagooday
    Dec 1, 2022
    8
    Overhated album. Listening to this in 2022 e comparing it to the **** circulating right now makes you feel how bad we have fallen. No rapper outside there can be compared to Eminem. Period.
  16. Hugeemfan
    Nov 13, 2004
    7
    i am a huge eminem fan and that is no bs. ive been counting down the days on my calendar since august for this cd to come and, and well i gotta say i am disapointed. the eminem show was much better, i think he fooled around too much on this album, it wasnt very serious, just all jokes. althought i give credit where it is deserved, amazing songs are mocking bird, toy soldier, puke, and i am a huge eminem fan and that is no bs. ive been counting down the days on my calendar since august for this cd to come and, and well i gotta say i am disapointed. the eminem show was much better, i think he fooled around too much on this album, it wasnt very serious, just all jokes. althought i give credit where it is deserved, amazing songs are mocking bird, toy soldier, puke, and never enough. i could tell this cd wud not top the eminem show as soon as i took a look at the book inside. the pages were not as detailed, just small sh*t like that made you tell he didnt try. but i still love eminem and its still good good cd after u listen to it a few times. im disapointed but his next cd will be much better. u pass em. 7/10… Expand
  17. Joseph
    Nov 16, 2004
    7
    I think people are underrating this album
  18. LPayne
    Dec 8, 2004
    7
    This album is full of the best of eminem and then some teeny-bopper nothing songs. I give it a 7.
  19. BenS
    Nov 21, 2005
    7
    Jesus, well, this is a slightly dissapointing recored really, considering it will be his last and the expectations. There are supreb moments 'mosh' is a battering, brilliant political polemic while 'like toy soldiers', is bold and majestic. 'mockingbird sounds slightly makwish but still quite affecting and 'encore' and 'just lose it' are pretty Jesus, well, this is a slightly dissapointing recored really, considering it will be his last and the expectations. There are supreb moments 'mosh' is a battering, brilliant political polemic while 'like toy soldiers', is bold and majestic. 'mockingbird sounds slightly makwish but still quite affecting and 'encore' and 'just lose it' are pretty good fun but nothing is really classic save the 1st two i mentioned. 'Ass like that' is very clever and quite amusing but jesus is em really reduced to singing about people asses, crazy in love is reeeaaaly bad!!, a mixed bag… Expand
  20. GlennK
    Jan 7, 2005
    7
    Eminem proves that even when he isnt trying that hard he can still put out a decent album.
  21. marka
    Dec 4, 2004
    7
    It's not as bad as other people think but I was disappointed in it. It does have some good tracks but there's nothing that really stands out on this record. I like the Eminem Show and The Marshall Maters LP a lot better.
  22. BryantJ
    Jan 13, 2005
    7
    This by far is Eminem's worst CD, but i still love it. I'm not such a big fan of his trying to be funny in his songs. I miss more of his angry songs. I believe there's no other better song then "The Way I Am". Even so, the CD has some catchy beats to it. I like every song on the CD except for crazy in love and ass like that.
  23. MariahL
    Jan 31, 2005
    7
    I love Eminem and D12's music but I wish you had an Edited version of all your music
  24. SuzanneK
    Feb 11, 2005
    7
    First off, I love Eminem, alot, but Encore was definitely disappointing. I only gave it a 7 (even tho he's first 3 records were all 11's) because he's still sexy while he raps no matter what crap he's rapping (Ass Like That, Rain Man, Big Weenie, etc.). But there were great songs too (Mockingbird, Mosh, Crazy In Love, Puke, Encore, Evil Deeds, Spend More Time, etc.). First off, I love Eminem, alot, but Encore was definitely disappointing. I only gave it a 7 (even tho he's first 3 records were all 11's) because he's still sexy while he raps no matter what crap he's rapping (Ass Like That, Rain Man, Big Weenie, etc.). But there were great songs too (Mockingbird, Mosh, Crazy In Love, Puke, Encore, Evil Deeds, Spend More Time, etc.). But Like Toy Soldiers made him look weak and Benzino proved that in "Look Into My Eyes". Even 50 Cent said Em was being "unrealistic". So this was "okay" but not the way Em should leave the game. He could do better and he's definitely capable considering he's the best rapper besides 2pac. How about a Marshall Mathers LP 2?… Expand
  25. PatrickS
    Nov 14, 2004
    7
    This CD has 4 good songs the rest are nowhere up to par.
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. leej
    Nov 17, 2004
    7
    it is his weakest yet his genius still shines through
  29. convalesce
    Mar 19, 2015
    7
    This album is usually rated amongst the lowest of Em's albums. Listening to this album front to back is the only way to unlock its inner-sanctum of crisp production. Every song flows with each other production wise. The only problem I have with this album is "Rain Man", "Big Weenie", and "Ass Like That". These three songs are a precursor to the incredibly-infamous Relapse album whichThis album is usually rated amongst the lowest of Em's albums. Listening to this album front to back is the only way to unlock its inner-sanctum of crisp production. Every song flows with each other production wise. The only problem I have with this album is "Rain Man", "Big Weenie", and "Ass Like That". These three songs are a precursor to the incredibly-infamous Relapse album which shares the same kind of flow and voice. Other than that, having each song played from beginning to end will make you appreciate the work of Dr. Dre and Eminem as producers along with the political, seriousness and also a humorous incorporation into his lyrics. This is a production prominent album. A perfect example of this if you are to listen to this for the first time is "Spend Some Time".… Expand
  30. 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.
  31. isaacb263
    Aug 16, 2018
    7
    This album gets a bad rap in my opinion, has some trash for sure but I think there are 12-14 good songs on here and 5-7 all time great ones
  32. Connorcox1997
    Mar 14, 2019
    7
    Encore by Eminem is not one of his best works, but it's still a good album though. There are a few songs that I do like on the album and some songs that are ok at best. Some of the beats were dope, and some are ok. It's still a good album overall.
  33. drongodan
    Jan 20, 2020
    7
    Some great tunes on here. Some not so much. Fave tracks ; Encore, Never Enough, Mockingbird, Spend Some time. (Rain Man so bad it’s good)
  34. Jr88
    Jan 19, 2020
    7
    This has everything to be a masterpiece beat and flows but Eminem was boring and making farts in the mic.
  35. 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
  36. Anthony_wx
    Jan 4, 2023
    7
    Worst than Eminem show but u guys are underrating this album , why? just listen to this album again
next
Page:

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]
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »