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Encore Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 828 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full studio album for the multi-platinum superstar features appearances from Obie Trice, 50 Cent, Nate Dogg and D-12.

Top Track

Mockingbird
Yeah I know sometimes things may not always make sense to you right now But hey, what daddy always tell you? Straighten up little soldier Stiffen up... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 26
  2. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. Funny, catchy, clever, and irreverent past his allotted time.
  2. Encore isn't as astonishing as The Marshall Mathers LP. Few albums by anyone ever will be. But in the time-honored manner of mature work, it showcases a phenomenally gifted musician and lyricist doing all the things he does best.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    The album has a familiar shortcoming: Once again, Eminem is guilty of not knowing when to stop in the studio. [8 Nov 2004]
  4. Mojo
    60
    An awkward faceoff between Mathers the prankster and Mathers the cultural and would-be political agitator. [Jan 2005, p.96]
  5. "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]
  6. You’d believe this was a “Weird Al” Jankovic record had you tuned in halfway through.
  7. His beefs have become so infinitesimal that he’s started to unconsciously parody our LiveJournal culture, a minor event or misunderstanding generating reams of dialogue, running commentary and painstaking minutiae. In short, he’s no more compelling than one of those non-famous drama queens in your life you already find insufferable, just another loser who blows up non-events, and it’s transformed the long-running Eminem Show into the most myopic, hand-wringing, self-reflexive stuck-in-the-mud soap opera of our time.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 48 out of 221
  1. 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 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. Expand
  2. chrisB
    Jan 26, 2005
    10
    eminem has done it again he is one of the greatest lyricist of all time and he proves it again.what proves that this is another great cd is eminem has done it again he is one of the greatest lyricist of all time and he proves it again.what proves that this is another great cd is because eminem has really matured alot on this cd just listen to toy solilders and mockingbird that is another great song from eminem talking about his daughter every cd he comes out with seems to be jus so good thats why i love eminems music all his cds are classics and this one is nothin short of that#1 marshall mathers lp next eminem show this cd would be third with thats sayin alot because those last to cd's i mentioned were masterpieces in hip-hop and some of the best rap cd's i ever heard.bottom line if you haven't heard encore i suggest you buy it i recomend it to all eminem fans event if you arent pick it up............. Expand
  3. wiggettyw.
    Aug 29, 2007
    10
    Keeps getting better and better. Second only to The Eminem Show.
  4. 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 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. Expand
  5. Oct 2, 2021
    6
    Underwhelming and bland album that took too long to make. I understand Eminem had issues with addiction during album recording, but surely itUnderwhelming and bland album that took too long to make. I understand Eminem had issues with addiction during album recording, but surely it doesn't take that long to make a sub-par album like this. Some highlights include the features with 50 Cent and Dr. Dre which have good lyrics. The Eminem Show was a lot better than Encore. Expand
  6. MD
    Nov 15, 2004
    5
    Very dissapointing cd. He says it the best on "Like toy soldiers", "...There?s a certain line, you just don?t cross it/ and he crossed it/ I Very dissapointing cd. He says it the best on "Like toy soldiers", "...There?s a certain line, you just don?t cross it/ and he crossed it/ I heard him say Hailie?s name on a song and I just lost it/ It was crazy, this shit went way beyond some Jay Z and Nas shit/ And even though the battle was won I feel like we lost it/ I spent so much energy on it, honestly I?m exhausted..." This cd has no creativity and it shows no advancement beyond 2 songs (like toy soldiers, mockingbird). Everthing else is very contrived and just plain silly. He is using a formula and great rap artists or groups dont(outkast, public enemy, jay-z, nas, tupac, biggie, epmd etc. etc.). Could you ever imagine Jay-Z saying Big Weenie??? Or tupac having farts and throw up on songs??? honestly, he should have shelved the whole project and started over i.e. Usher. I recommend you get a burned copy of the cd cuz its not worth buying. Hopefully this is his ugly duckling stage when nobody likes him, buts lets hope there is a swan coming. Expand
  7. DaveA
    Nov 12, 2004
    0
    this album sucks once again he uses other people's ideas eminem show in contrast to the shaggy show(ICP)??this time he rips off of a this album sucks once again he uses other people's ideas eminem show in contrast to the shaggy show(ICP)??this time he rips off of a rapper Jay-Z i didnt like Jay-Z but after hearing this CD i would rather listen to him or Ja Rule at least Ja Rule is consistent with his bullshit Expand

See all 221 User Reviews