User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1313 Ratings

User score distribution:

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  1. Mar 24, 2013
    6
    Some songs like "Love the Way You Lie" and "Not Afraid" were fantastic, but a lot of the other tracks weren't very impressing. I would have liked that Eminem would not have used all of those background vocals in his songs because he clearly has enough talent to go without them except when he is singing instead of rapping.
  2. Jun 21, 2013
    6
    Eminem's 6th studio album Recovery is what I like to call a breath of fresh air due to his previous lack luster album. This album has its flaws yes, the production is not always on point and is very plain at some points in the album but due to this being a experimental album for the Detroit MC I cut him some slack for it. Eminem almost reinvents himself with this album, coming out beingEminem's 6th studio album Recovery is what I like to call a breath of fresh air due to his previous lack luster album. This album has its flaws yes, the production is not always on point and is very plain at some points in the album but due to this being a experimental album for the Detroit MC I cut him some slack for it. Eminem almost reinvents himself with this album, coming out being brutally honest on subjects such as his past drug addiction, along with his difficulties with women. What you usually hear with most Eminem projects, you won't hear with this one. You won't hear a crazy, loud mouth bashing other celebrities and fellow rappers like he's known for, instead this album displays a more soft side of Eminem. While the album itself does have a bit more of a commercial/radio friendly sound, Eminem is able to pull off the sound, not greatly but good enough. His rapping doesn't sound forced like it did in his previous effort, it doesn't sound like he's trying to bunch up tons of words into one bar to rhyme a syllable, it's more natural. The weakest point of this album is Eminem's delivery and tone. His constant shouting throughout the album really hurts the project as a whole and while some of the beats on this project are heavy and loud, their is definitely something that could of been done to fix this. Same thing does for his delivery, while Em has had a fast pace delivery for most of his career, he's always known when to slow it down or when it was unnecessary, on this album, it's almost like he forgot. His double time flow is nothing impressive and for me to hear it every other track also takes away from the project. Overall this album isn't a terrible effort from Eminem, it certainly is a better effort than his previous two, it was an experimental project, working with new producers, artist ect. so I do keep that in mind and I advise anyone who listens to album to also as well. Expand
  3. May 16, 2013
    10
    his best ablum ever that will never beat ever
  4. May 27, 2013
    5
    This album is ok. His lyricism is great but his flow is not as good as it used to be and the production is poor but this album will appeal to the mainstream audience.
  5. Mar 16, 2014
    10
    With Recovery Eminem recovers after giving Encore and Relapse.
    Not Afraid is a courage giving Anthem.
    Love the way you lie tells about complex love-hate relationship.
  6. Sep 23, 2014
    3
    Clearly, the Eminem dick riding can't stop, won't stop. I do like some of the songs, and as an unbiased listener, I couldn't get through the fact that the entire album is a complaint box to his listeners.
    .
    Eminem is definitely one of the greatest rappers out there, but his biggest problem, as of recently, is his songwriting. The entire album feels like a melodramatic whiny face trying
    Clearly, the Eminem dick riding can't stop, won't stop. I do like some of the songs, and as an unbiased listener, I couldn't get through the fact that the entire album is a complaint box to his listeners.
    .
    Eminem is definitely one of the greatest rappers out there, but his biggest problem, as of recently, is his songwriting. The entire album feels like a melodramatic whiny face trying to re-connect with his glory days. There are some bright moments like 'Almost Famous', where he tells a detailed story about his rise to glory in the mainstream, as well as Cinderella Man, where Em reasserts his lyrical finesse and why he should reclaim the 'greatest rapper alive' belt. Aside from these two tracks, nothing stands out. The singles off this album are incomprehensibly annoying and lazy, and 'Love the Way You Lie' may be the worst Eminem song ever. Cold Wind Blows finds Eminem trying to shock people again with homophobia and misogyny, just for the sake of doing it, so people think that he's returned to his old self. Talkin' 2 Myself finds Eminem jealous of other rappers making a buzz in the mainstream, like Kanye and Lil Wayne, and he's afraid (Not Afraid my ass) that he would have his ass handed to him. I think you'd be okay Em, considering Kanye doesn't do dis tracks and Lil Wayne hasn't been competent since 2008.
    Keep fighting the good fight, Eminem Stan's. Recovery is not good. It is bad.
    Expand
  7. Jul 21, 2013
    9
    Eminem comes back with a very meaningful album. After his failed "Relapse" album, he redeemed himself with "Recovery". It features strong songs about dark places and trying to get out (Not Afraid and Going Through Changes), coming back with a strong attitude (No Love and Cinderella Man), and the songs about stopping hatred you started (Talkin' 2 Myself and Love the Way You Lie). It's anEminem comes back with a very meaningful album. After his failed "Relapse" album, he redeemed himself with "Recovery". It features strong songs about dark places and trying to get out (Not Afraid and Going Through Changes), coming back with a strong attitude (No Love and Cinderella Man), and the songs about stopping hatred you started (Talkin' 2 Myself and Love the Way You Lie). It's an excellent album and I highly recommend it. Expand
  8. Aug 3, 2013
    9
    this is the best Eminem album next to the Eminem show and the lab ep EMINEM 4 LYFE
    EMINEM 4 LYFE EMINEM IS THE BEST RAPPER 3V3R $HADY 4 3V3R
  9. Aug 14, 2013
    3
    I do not like this album. Eminem made a bad recovery, because his albums before are way better. I can't even stand to listen to some of these songs ("No Love"), and it is just a train wreck.
  10. Nov 4, 2013
    0
    Overated as getting good ratings beacuse he is white. He can't rap for Stop illeagaly downloaing his albums and get Kanye West's, as he is the best.
  11. Nov 5, 2013
    7
    His performance is flawless as usual but the content and beats aren't up to par with his other releases, in no way a bad album but slightly disappointing if you are an Eminem fan
  12. Nov 6, 2013
    0
    Em should have hung up his hat a long time ago.

    He isn't a rapper anymore, he's a pop star.

    This album was the first of his that I have to say I will never recommend to anyone, ever.
  13. Nov 14, 2013
    10
    Stunning...the best album since maybe The Eminem show. And I'm not just talking Eminem.....

    Can't match the IMPACT of MMLP1 (you can't be the first man on the moon ever since Neil Armstrong went there) but in terms of this man's genius this could be #1.
  14. Feb 13, 2014
    7
    Eminem is easily one of the greatest musicians ever. I like most of the album but it does not grab me like his previous albums even MMLP2 too. Eminem experimented on a new level by not presenting Slim Shady on Recovery. The opening to the album "Cold Wind Blows" is easily one of his best tracks. The album exceeds in lyricism and it's a well crafted one but it did not grab me like his other albums.
  15. Dec 15, 2013
    10
    Im going to go ahead and EXPOSE METACRITIC AS GARBAGE real quick, if anyone wants to stick around...

    Eminem goes unforgiving hard-as-nails in-your-face and mad-as-hell on MMLP1, and Metacritic slams him for being over the top. They claim the classic was a 78, and Yeezus, the ten song experimental embarrassment that Kanye can't get over 3.2 stars on Itunes, is an 85. Ok, fine. He
    Im going to go ahead and EXPOSE METACRITIC AS GARBAGE real quick, if anyone wants to stick around...

    Eminem goes unforgiving hard-as-nails in-your-face and mad-as-hell on MMLP1, and Metacritic slams him for being over the top. They claim the classic was a 78, and Yeezus, the ten song experimental embarrassment that Kanye can't get over 3.2 stars on Itunes, is an 85. Ok, fine.

    He lightens up on The Eminem Show, and Metacritic says it's too soft and they've heard it all before. 75.

    He mixes in other artists and dumbs down the "Slim Shady" persona on The Reup, and they absolutely trash it and say he's lost his voice. 50. A 50, supposedly a worse album than IANAHB 2.
    Do You Sense the Bullsh.it Yet.....

    He brings back Slim Shady as violent yet comedic as ever on Relapse, and they say he's forcing the issue. 59.

    He changes his content for the more mature, stays witty, address' his past demons and shows immense growth as an artist on Recovery, and they say he's boring. 63.

    THEN, on MMLP2, he combines Recovery, MMLP, and the Eminem Show in an experimental, mature, hard-as-nails, yet emotional reflection on his career, and they give it a 73. Thats 7 points worse than Teflon Don, by Rick Ross.

    METACRITIC: WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK ARE YOU DOING.
    Expand
  16. Apr 5, 2020
    10
    This album reminded me of eminem show when it was released, not one track i could skip from start to finish. It was a real come back record.
  17. Jan 25, 2016
    8
    I thought that this was a pretty good album it shows how good a lyricist Eminem actually is and how much better these songs are than most artists these days yes he has produced better but it is still a solid and album and one to enjoy.
  18. Jul 13, 2019
    7
    A good album with a few too many pop songs on there but none the less, an enjoyable album with some amazing tracks such as 'No Love' 'Session One' and 'Going Through Changes'
  19. Jan 27, 2015
    7
    This is one of Eminem's worst albums, but it is still amazing just like Eminem. You will find plenty of great songs on here. .
  20. Dec 27, 2014
    3
    What's the matter ? Uninspired ? Further more beginning to be commercial as **** with featuring we didn't want. Pretty disgusting album actually. Poor
  21. Feb 26, 2015
    2
    Eminem was going to earn money through this album.

    Yeah, he earned it.

    But.. where is 'sincere', 'real' Eminem?

    Couldn't find it ya.

    Although many Stans appreciated this album, I think that it's over for Eminem..
  22. Mar 22, 2015
    10
    10/10 ................................................................................................................................................
  23. Apr 25, 2015
    6
    Recovery... I really don't know what to say about this. I think this was an extremely weak effort from a rapper that has so much technical ability and usually has the tendency to put out a great album. This whole album is about one topic, his recovery and regret for doing some bad things earlier in his life. It's great for him to be able to admit this, but really? A WHOLE ALBUM ABOUT IT?Recovery... I really don't know what to say about this. I think this was an extremely weak effort from a rapper that has so much technical ability and usually has the tendency to put out a great album. This whole album is about one topic, his recovery and regret for doing some bad things earlier in his life. It's great for him to be able to admit this, but really? A WHOLE ALBUM ABOUT IT? Why Eminem??? There are very few songs on here that don't talk about that, and guess what? Those are my favorite songs here. Okay, time to get away from the repetitive subject matter of Recovery, I normally liked the production. I liked Just Blaze's contribution to the album - Just Blaze can always make a good beat, and without him this album would have been a problem sonically as well as lyrically. The only thing I can really be extremely favorable about with Recovery is his originality - even with this album, you can't compare him to any rapper out there. Grade: B-. Highlights: "No Love", "Cinderella Man", "Untitled". Worst songs: "Not Afraid", "Going Through Changes" Expand
  24. Apr 23, 2015
    9
    After a brief return to his roots as Slim Shady, the Eminem side of Marshall returns on this album with force! He seems happy, reborn and passionate on every single song and his rhymes are as sharp as ever.
  25. Jan 21, 2016
    5
    few songs fall short due to poor production. eminem shows he can still deliver hard hitting bars with aggression and good storytelling. the pop oriented ones i didnt like much due to eminems terrible attempt of singing the hooks. however some of the songs off here i did enjoy. may not add up to his past work. but still shows he hasnt lost it.
  26. Feb 4, 2018
    10
    the first listen to this album i wasn't feeling it, but then it grow up on me and really well, the best project from 2010 definitely
  27. Dec 11, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The album is great, no offensive lyrics, great flow on some of the songs but some of them are sick but still worth your money. The singles, Love the Way You Lie, Not Afraid, Space Bound and No Love are sublime. Expand
  28. Jan 11, 2016
    7
    This was one of the first albums i got a physical copy of and back in the day i was listening to it every day. Now i realize that is not as good as i thought but remains a pretty decent one , maybe the best after the eminem show.
  29. Jul 1, 2017
    5
    A few standout tracks but an overall mediocre album. Definitely one of Eminem's most radio friendly albums and much of the music on this album sounds forced.
  30. Jul 28, 2019
    5
    Recovery holds some of the irredeemable traits that most 2010s Eminem projects are littered with, but the couple of classic songs have to drag up the rating (Not Afraid, Beautiful) to average. A pretty bad overall effort as a whole, but it's still not worth bashing for the few shining moments it possesses.
  31. May 23, 2017
    8
    I honestly think this is one of Em's better albums, many people would disagree with that but this album has many very good very different songs.

    Best songs: Cold Wind Blows / Talkin' To Myself / No Love
  32. Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album.....................................................................................................................................................................
  33. Aug 8, 2017
    10
    I'm starting to think that this USER SCORE is more accurate than the critic's score. He once again proves that he is the one of the greatest. Love The Way You Lie - eternal song. Not Afraid, Space Bound & No Love are great too.
  34. Nov 7, 2018
    9
    Em’s flow is amazing here. Sure the punchline might be dad jokes-ish but i find them both charming and funny. His energy is also on top. Sure it’s abit poppy but i honestly dont think that hurts the album. Criminally overhated. Helped me through some hard times aswell

    My Rating: 9/10 Favorite Tracks: Space Bound, Going Through Changes, Not Afraid, Love the Way You Lie Least
    Em’s flow is amazing here. Sure the punchline might be dad jokes-ish but i find them both charming and funny. His energy is also on top. Sure it’s abit poppy but i honestly dont think that hurts the album. Criminally overhated. Helped me through some hard times aswell

    My Rating: 9/10

    Favorite Tracks: Space Bound, Going Through Changes, Not Afraid, Love the Way You Lie

    Least Favorite Tracks: Cinderella Man, W.T.P, Untitled
    Expand
  35. Mar 4, 2018
    10
    In this album, he was more honest and apologetic than his other projects. I love this side of Eminem. I don't like Slim Shady at all.
  36. May 14, 2018
    4
    There are some serious hits, but the tracks don't blend well together, going from emotional pop song to overly silly comedy rap to seemingly serious battle rap tracks. The production is all over the place as well, and it's often way to poppy and over-produced.
    No matter what kind of track Eminem wants to write, they only work a few times. If they do though, they are quite touching, funny
    There are some serious hits, but the tracks don't blend well together, going from emotional pop song to overly silly comedy rap to seemingly serious battle rap tracks. The production is all over the place as well, and it's often way to poppy and over-produced.
    No matter what kind of track Eminem wants to write, they only work a few times. If they do though, they are quite touching, funny or/and technically impressive.
    Expand
  37. Dec 25, 2017
    5
    Corny. Just really really corny. In my opinion this is when em started REALLY losing touch with the true rap world. No Love is dope though.
  38. Nov 1, 2018
    10
    People say this is too commercial, too pop oriented etc. but I feel this is **** amazing. I'm not going to list songs, because i like every song on the album. 10/10
  39. Feb 13, 2019
    10
    Eminem still proves that he's one of the best Rappers in the game and his best album since the Eminem Show. Definley love this album. I highly recommended it.
  40. Nov 20, 2018
    9
    Recovery is in my personal opinion the only eminem album that I LOVE all of the songs, I just feel is energy passing trough me when is rapping, and honestly is one of few rappers that does that to me.
  41. Jan 20, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not better than Relapse but still a great album. Best selling rap album of the decade, 2 diamonds selling single shows how legendary this album is. Recovery starts with cold wind blows & ends with an underrated song untitled with few iconic songs in middle. Features did good job especially Lil Wayne. Rihanna did a great job. A great album with a different flow. Expand
  42. Jan 20, 2020
    7
    Not my favourite but some good tunes on here. Better than Relapse. Fave tracks; Changes, Not afraid, Love the way you lie
  43. Jan 25, 2020
    0
    just doing my part ........................................................
  44. Jan 23, 2020
    10
    Insant classic. This is the best album of all time. Nothing can be better than this. This is the greatest piece of music.
  45. Jan 19, 2020
    10
    Better album than most of some pop albums. This is the truly comeback for Eminem.
  46. Jan 22, 2020
    10
    The emotion and heart put on this album and great lyrical display by Eminem makes the album one of the classics in hip hop
  47. Jan 22, 2020
    10
    Classic ..............................................................................
    ..............................................................................
  48. Jan 22, 2020
    10
    This album shout every one facking mouth its was pure fire thanks agian em ❤️
  49. Jan 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good Expand
  50. Jan 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A beautiful album, you feel his regrets and all his emotions as he struggles through recovering from being an addict. He truly pulled himself out of hell, a very special album to me, as I was also struggling during this time, was good knowing I wasn’t the only one Expand
  51. Aug 7, 2021
    6
    This album is a little overpraised but it's still pretty good.
    Best songs: Going through Changes
    Worst songs: -
  52. Mar 5, 2020
    10
    With Wind Blows and Won’t Back Down giving us rock-ish vibes, this album takes us on Eminem’s emotional roller coaster regarding his addiction and personal demons and his effort to conquer them as portrayed in Cinderella Man; Not Afraid and Talking 2 Myself This album isn’t for you if you’re still clinging on to the old drugged up Marshall because I’m this album he’s over that becauseWith Wind Blows and Won’t Back Down giving us rock-ish vibes, this album takes us on Eminem’s emotional roller coaster regarding his addiction and personal demons and his effort to conquer them as portrayed in Cinderella Man; Not Afraid and Talking 2 Myself This album isn’t for you if you’re still clinging on to the old drugged up Marshall because I’m this album he’s over that because this “was his decision to be clean” he didn’t do it for us or to find validation, he DID IT FOR HIMSELF Respect all the way! Expand
  53. Feb 23, 2020
    4
    disappointing, too many pop sounds and singing. There's good songs in there like cold wind blows, no love. going through changes (the hook is whack) and maybe MAYBE not afraid, but these songs can't save the entire project
  54. Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Although it's a great project, I hate to think about it cuz this was the seed to turn pop. And I blame all those who praised it 'because it was a little poppy-flavored.' It made him continue that until forever. It changed him forever ffs. Relapse >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Recovery
  55. Mar 25, 2020
    9
    Loved this album. Emotionally Impactful it was. Best Songs on the album would be Going Through Changes, Seduction, and Love The Way You Lie
  56. Jun 21, 2020
    10
    In my opinion - his best album. I good remember those times when i was a teenager, hanging out in the streets with my friends and don't care about nothing, just enjoying life at it's fullest sense of a word. I guess that was the only album where Eminem was speaking from his heart, without using any alter-egos, that's one of the main thing that make this album so unique, still to this day.
  57. Jul 8, 2020
    10
    This is a great cd. Eminem rocks and for all of you people who do not like him, then there is something wrong with you in the head.
  58. Aug 18, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good Album i really love not afraid and recovery save a lot of people from drug Expand
  59. Aug 28, 2020
    10
    This **** is the greatest album of the 2010s that why it is the best selling rap album of the 2010s
  60. Jan 24, 2021
    9
    A near perfect Album, some of Em's best lyrical displays and some of the best songs he's ever made. No Love is without a doubt one of Eminems greatest verses of all time, Not Afraid is a brilliant single, Love the Way You Lie is addictive as all hell, Cold Wind Blows is a perfect Intro, Won't Back Down goes hard as all Hell, Session One was guaranteed masterpiece (like any song containingA near perfect Album, some of Em's best lyrical displays and some of the best songs he's ever made. No Love is without a doubt one of Eminems greatest verses of all time, Not Afraid is a brilliant single, Love the Way You Lie is addictive as all hell, Cold Wind Blows is a perfect Intro, Won't Back Down goes hard as all Hell, Session One was guaranteed masterpiece (like any song containing Em and any member of Slaughterhouse), Cinderella Man was the song that earned Marshall a place back in the rap game again after previously leaving (and its evident why), Space bound is one Eminem's best songs ever, and 25 to life is one the most underrated songs in hip hops history. Every song on this album is awesome, with the exception of W.T.P which is okay. Expand
  61. Apr 2, 2021
    0
    ...

    I can't start.

    Wait... oh, okay, I just have to be honest.

    I don't like it.

    I have to say why? Well, I dislike the lyrics.

    Better?

    Yeah, whatever. Just be on your way.
  62. Oct 2, 2022
    7
    a great album that is an actual great way of rebranding Eminem in a way that doesn't make him sound like a tired horrible way of rebranding a funny sounding slim shady
  63. Nov 15, 2022
    10
    My favorite Em album. Period. I'm not saying his best but it's absolutely underrated and it shoud receive much more respect. It contains two of the greatest hits in the history of pop-rap and rap and, in general, every song has a special energy, the same energy that Eminem wasn't able to put in Relapse. "Not Afraid", "Cinderella Man", "Love The Way You Lie", "Cold Wind Blows", "Talkin' 2My favorite Em album. Period. I'm not saying his best but it's absolutely underrated and it shoud receive much more respect. It contains two of the greatest hits in the history of pop-rap and rap and, in general, every song has a special energy, the same energy that Eminem wasn't able to put in Relapse. "Not Afraid", "Cinderella Man", "Love The Way You Lie", "Cold Wind Blows", "Talkin' 2 Myself" the best songs. I consider it a classic and laugh at the critics everytime I read some reviews like the one of Pitchfork ahah. 1 page and a half to say that this album can't give the audience the idea of what Em was going through and that the songs are corny. No motivations, no points of view, no interpretations, no lyrics breakdown, nothing. Just opinions like the ones we are expressing in the comments here, the difference is that they get paid to write things that don't make any sense. Expand
  64. Nov 22, 2022
    10
    one of the best rappers to ever entered the game. thanks Em,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
  65. Dec 1, 2022
    10
    One of the best albums of 2010. Period. The perfect mix between pop and rap. Production is good but the best part are Em's lyrics. A lot of americans say that this album is mid but you don't realize that US are not the only country in the world and this album absolutely ruled every chart in Europe. When we speak about Eminem we speak about a music type made for everyone, something thatOne of the best albums of 2010. Period. The perfect mix between pop and rap. Production is good but the best part are Em's lyrics. A lot of americans say that this album is mid but you don't realize that US are not the only country in the world and this album absolutely ruled every chart in Europe. When we speak about Eminem we speak about a music type made for everyone, something that Kendrick and Kanye can't match and their sales in Europe and other countries outside the US tell you why. Expand
  66. Jan 4, 2023
    9
    Great great album , Eminem is totally back from drugs , just fire , i love it.
  67. Jul 19, 2023
    4
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album ruinzinho, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  68. Jul 25, 2023
    4
    Recovery is Eminem's most commercial album and that holds him back from the style of music that he came to be respected by in the first place.

    Best track: No Love (feat. Lil Wayne)
    Worst track: Space Bound
    Best feature: Lil Wayne
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. 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. Much of Recovery centers around such themes as romantic devotion and anxiety, but the resulting material rings unsurprisingly hollow.
  3. Sadly, a piecemeal approach to production (Dr Dre has just one credit) leaves the album lacking an abiding mood and drowning in fashionable soft-rock samples.