Recovery
by Eminem
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jan 7, 2011
    91
    No matter how cleverly he's rhyming, which varies, he could use subject matter beyond married-to-the-game and his traditional obsessions. But with Shady in the shadows, rarely are these themes lifted by Em's long-recessive sense of play.
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    87
    To put it simply, Eminem is back. There are some truly essential songs on Recovery, and even the weak tracks are an improvement from the debacle that was Relapse.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Gratuitous nastiness is nothing new for Eminem, but if he really wants to prove something, he could try recording an entire album without any.
  5. Rolling Stone
    80
    Recovery is his most casual-sounding album in years, with odes to a "white-trash party" ("W.T.P.") and songs that hearken back to his freewheeling early records--rhymes as goofy and imaginative as they are violent and profane.
  6. Billboard.com
    79
    Leave it to Em to continue confounding expectations this late in the game.
  7. The A.V. Club
    75
    While the endless atonement metaphors threaten to make Recovery a maudlin affair, at moments like these ["Won't Back Down" and "No Love"], Eminem soars over his lowered expectations.
  8. BBC Music
    70
    A wide array of producers means that Recovery isn't as consistent as Eminem's best albums--his second and third--but there are significantly more highlights here than on either of his previous two.
  9. RapReviews.com
    70
    This will hold a bizarre position in his catalogue--Recovery is not his best, nor his worst, but either people will listen incessantly or barely at all. There is no middle ground.
  10. musicOMH.com
    70
    If this is just the start of an artistic resurgence then it'll be interesting to see what comes next. You feel that he's just getting started again.
  11. AllMusic
    70
    It may be flawed and the rapper's attitude is sometimes one step ahead of his output, but he hasn't sounded this unfiltered and proud since The Marshall Mathers LP.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    "Relapse" should have been the end of his career, but by admitting his mistakes as well as trumpeting his successes, Shady's given himself one last stand.
  13. Spin
    70
    So is Recovery a classic album? No. But is it an essential one in shaping Eminem's future? Absolutely.
  14. cokemachineglow
    70
    The monolithic nature of the album feels necessary, but like any sustained chord, every other song tends to have less interesting undertones.
  15. American Songwriter
    70
    As the track [Untitled] fades out and Eminem thanks the listener for coming out to the show, it's clear that if this effort is just the recovery, then the countdown to full rehabilitation begins now.
  16. Los Angeles Times
    63
    Recovery is thwarted by similarly ill-fitting decisions.... The central salvation is Mather's enduring virtuosity. Throughout Recovery, he weaves dazzling internal patterns and clever word play.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2010
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1313 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,099 out of 1313
  2. Mixed: 113 out of 1313
  3. Negative: 101 out of 1313
  1. PeteR
    Jun 26, 2010
    10
    Great album. His best since The Eminem Show. No other rappers out there today can even compare to the lyrical and mic skills of this guy.
  2. Harbinger
    Aug 12, 2010
    10
    This is Em's return to form, as 'Recovery' is his strongest album since The Eminem Show. Strong, focused, and truly memorable, 'Recovery' isThis is Em's return to form, as 'Recovery' is his strongest album since The Eminem Show. Strong, focused, and truly memorable, 'Recovery' is as moving as any of his previous albums, probalby even more so with the new direction he's taking with this CD. His flow has never been better, and whatever "ring rust" he may have had is now gone, and he is killin' them one by one in 'Recovery'. He won last year for "Best Rap Album" with 'Relapse', so I can only predict that he will undoubtedly win this year as well. Anyways, the album isn't perfect, as some songs such as "Seduction", "W.T.P.", "On Fire", and "So Bad" don't seem to belong in the album. They have a "Relapse" vibe to them, and I think he should have included them in 'Relapse' not here in 'Recovery'. Despite that, the songs are all great, especially "Not Afraid, "Going Through Changes", "Love The Way You Lie", "Talkin' 2 Myself", and "No Love", which really bring this album alive and become instant classics. I really loved this album and I hope Em has something as good as this prepared for the future. Anyways, ignore the pathetic critic score of 62-for they don't know nothing of Rap/Hip-Hop-and buy this CD. This is Rap-and Eminem-at its best.… Full Review »
  3. NoahD
    Jun 28, 2010
    10
    Eminem has always made it crystal clear that pleasing his critics is the last thing he aims for when applying his trade in the studio. With Eminem has always made it crystal clear that pleasing his critics is the last thing he aims for when applying his trade in the studio. With the majority of the above critiques blasting this album, we begin to understand why he feels this way. It has never been more evident that his fans get what the critics don't. Mike S. said it best: when the critics are left to compare Eminem to his past self it's obvious he is in another stratosphere altogether. This album cements Em's legacy as the greatest rapper alive. I firmly believe that critics will change their tune years from now and come around to the reality that all of Em's are already aware of.… Full Review »
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