Recovery
by Eminem
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

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. JohnJ.
    Jun 22, 2010
    9
    Em has matured, I really enjoyed his old stuff, and I believe this album shows that he still has it, and his new style still has mainstream appeal. I believe the next album will be even closer to MMLP/SSLP style work. This album accurately reflected his experiences over the past few years, and critics don't seem to appreciate it. Most believe 25 to life is about Kim LOL. Great album, Em has matured, I really enjoyed his old stuff, and I believe this album shows that he still has it, and his new style still has mainstream appeal. I believe the next album will be even closer to MMLP/SSLP style work. This album accurately reflected his experiences over the past few years, and critics don't seem to appreciate it. Most believe 25 to life is about Kim LOL. Great album, his third best in my opinion, maybe fourth. The next one will be even better I hope. Production seems a bit loose, but lyrics are tight as ever, 9.… Expand
  2. MarkK.
    Jun 22, 2010
    8
    Despite the criticism above, I was actually really surprised by the album. Definitely better than the 'Relapse' album released in 2009. Whilst 'Relapse' contained only 1 or 2 songs I liked (mainly because of the resemblence with older songs), 'Recovery' brought me 6 to 7 songs that got me back into the old-school Eminem-vibe. I understand that he barely says Despite the criticism above, I was actually really surprised by the album. Definitely better than the 'Relapse' album released in 2009. Whilst 'Relapse' contained only 1 or 2 songs I liked (mainly because of the resemblence with older songs), 'Recovery' brought me 6 to 7 songs that got me back into the old-school Eminem-vibe. I understand that he barely says anything he hasn't said already on his previous albums, but that's honestly the only lyrics I want to hear coming from his mouth. It's a shame that the beats on some of the tracks are a bit messy. Overall though, an awesome follow-up to Eminem's older work with the same amount of energy and lyrical wordplay.… Expand
  3. DavidN
    Jun 23, 2010
    2
    An obvious attempt to get the pop fans back on side. The promotion behind this album is mecca. The content is typical: MM whining about everything then denying it, all to the sound of dreary, looping beats. I want to be impressed, not shocked.
  4. RobY
    Jun 22, 2010
    9
    I'm a lackluster eminem fan, and I typically tend to agree with Pitchfork, but it would seem PF and some of these other critics. His last two releases have been boring and uninspired. Recovery is his answer to those releases and he answers triumphantly. This album will eventually be regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of his career. Don't buy into the negative hype and I'm a lackluster eminem fan, and I typically tend to agree with Pitchfork, but it would seem PF and some of these other critics. His last two releases have been boring and uninspired. Recovery is his answer to those releases and he answers triumphantly. This album will eventually be regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of his career. Don't buy into the negative hype and hegative critical trends. It's not popular to like Eminem among critical circles right now, but this album may well prove his masterpiece. It's that good!… Expand
  5. WillO
    Jun 22, 2010
    8
    Great album, much better than Relapse and Encore. That's one thing that automatically turns me away from the critics. On metacritic, both Encore and Relapse have higher ratings than Recovery somehow. Encore was his worst album by far and it got a 64? Really. Well this album has Eminem showing the skill he has. No one can match him lyrically. His flow, metaphors, everything is miles Great album, much better than Relapse and Encore. That's one thing that automatically turns me away from the critics. On metacritic, both Encore and Relapse have higher ratings than Recovery somehow. Encore was his worst album by far and it got a 64? Really. Well this album has Eminem showing the skill he has. No one can match him lyrically. His flow, metaphors, everything is miles ahead of most artists. G.O.A.T.… Expand
  6. TomS.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Truly amazing album. It's his 2nd best behind MMLP for me. There's only one song on this I skip (W.T.P.), the rest are gold. Em is so far ahead of everyone else out there lyrically, it's not even funny. A few guys come close (Black Thought/One Be Lo/Nas), but Em's flow, complex rhyme schemes, and metaphors are second to none.
  7. ChrisD.
    Jun 22, 2010
    8
    Not quite up there with the Eminem show, his best album, but much closer than his last two albums.
  8. BenW
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Amazing album, any critic that tells you different is just dissing it to get attention. I've been a long time fan, this is some of his BEST WORK! my only complaint is that So Bad did not fit in with the rest of the album, it was probably originally slated for the album back when it was called Relapse 2, because it definitely felt more like a Relapse song, but this could've been Amazing album, any critic that tells you different is just dissing it to get attention. I've been a long time fan, this is some of his BEST WORK! my only complaint is that So Bad did not fit in with the rest of the album, it was probably originally slated for the album back when it was called Relapse 2, because it definitely felt more like a Relapse song, but this could've been the only Dre Produced song he had available that he could fit closest with the album. So Bad is still a great song don't get me wrong tho! 25 to Life is probably my favorite song on the album.… Expand
  9. ChrisW.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Amazing album, very clever to use himself as a mirror for the world.
  10. Edwin
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Umm...why is the Entertainment Weekly score an 8.3 if it indicates a B+ on the review? Wouldn't that be more like an 8.7-8.9?
  11. TJP.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Awesome album. Keep up the good work EM!
  12. DésiréeM.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    I had high hopes for Eminem's newest album. And he surpassed them. For preparation I whipped out all his old albums (luckily all digital) and wallowed in an infinite Eminem overdose. At the same time i got into his newer collab projects with Lil Wayne or Drake to get prepared for the newer sounds. And Recovery was right what I wanted. I wanted the dirty, seductive Marshal, I wanted I had high hopes for Eminem's newest album. And he surpassed them. For preparation I whipped out all his old albums (luckily all digital) and wallowed in an infinite Eminem overdose. At the same time i got into his newer collab projects with Lil Wayne or Drake to get prepared for the newer sounds. And Recovery was right what I wanted. I wanted the dirty, seductive Marshal, I wanted the cocky Em and the spittin' Shady. And I got it all and more! There is a new side. I don't have a name for it yet, but it is the honesty and bravery that got me most in this album. I *love* the new rocky guitar and drum sounds, I like the grittiness, I like the female and male hooks (Kobe Honeycutt aka Kokilla on 'Talkin' 2 Myself'') and unusual paths he walks ('Cinderella Man'). I am endlessly pleased with this album. I haven't bought a CD in a long time, but this was so worth it.… Expand
  13. LollyP
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    All time classic album. I enjoy listening to this more than even the Marshall Mathers LP.
  14. WR
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Hands down Eminem's most lyrical album. From the content to the punchlines, everything in this album is hands down thought provoking, interesting to listen to, and emotional, at the right times.
  15. LeonardS.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    This is a great album. One of the best albums to come out in a long while. Judging by the way I love it more the more I listen to it, I think in two years it might be considered a classic. I'm sure it's going to break some records. Definitely up there with Eminem Show and Marshall Mathers LP! Will take a couple of listens before you get every line, punchline, metaphor, crazy This is a great album. One of the best albums to come out in a long while. Judging by the way I love it more the more I listen to it, I think in two years it might be considered a classic. I'm sure it's going to break some records. Definitely up there with Eminem Show and Marshall Mathers LP! Will take a couple of listens before you get every line, punchline, metaphor, crazy rhyme. And be ware, he uses the word "antidisestablishmentarianism" in one of the song. Amazing. The emotion is back. The witty lines are back. In fact, Eminem is back! It will definitely win Rap Album of the Year, probably Album of the Year, at the Grammies!… Expand
  16. IvanB.
    Jun 22, 2010
    4
    Disappointing really... It seems he's so eager to prove he's a bad ass he just rages across the whole album. The thing about rage is that it gets old after a while. If you listen to his earlier albums he's got a good combination of comedy, light hearted songs, just plain silly songs, and then the serious raging songs... it's what makes them great, you get to experience Disappointing really... It seems he's so eager to prove he's a bad ass he just rages across the whole album. The thing about rage is that it gets old after a while. If you listen to his earlier albums he's got a good combination of comedy, light hearted songs, just plain silly songs, and then the serious raging songs... it's what makes them great, you get to experience different beats and dynamics... this album is all serious and rage with some below average love songs sprinkled in it. You get tired of listening to Eminem scream and growl his way through the album... after a while you just dont feel it... feels empty and almost like he's just gliding through the convoluted beats. Some of the tracks you have to listen really hard to understand what he's saying because the beat is overwhelming his voice, that is not EM's style... the em we all know and love thrives on simple beats, perfect enunciation, and clear rapping.… Expand
  17. GieunC.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    A superior delivery in all technical categories as well as subject matter that is much more captivating than his previous two releases. These critics reviews actually have me baffled, as to rate this lower than Encore or Relapse, with material that is (arguably) superior to The Eminem Show is simply hipocritical. One of the greatest emcees of the twentieth century has won back a fan.
  18. ryans.
    Jun 23, 2010
    10
    This has to be My favorite album from Eminem. This entire album exceeds Relapse in every way. Amazing, keep it up Em.
  19. KelK
    Jun 23, 2010
    6
    Best I've heard from Em in a while, but the overall sound is a been there done that. Still I would suggest a giving the record a listen.
  20. BrianB
    Jun 23, 2010
    10
    HE IS BACK. the metacritics dont know or understand, they are stuck in their addictons, But Eminem surpassed his addictions and thus he is way above these critical freaks of nature. Em i get you man, get it up bro its a daily battle to remain real in the midst of all these talkers.
  21. MichaelB
    Jun 23, 2010
    9
    Don't listen to the critics, especially not jayson greene at pitchfork, this album is one of the better albums I've heard in the past couple years, certainly eminem's best since the eminem show.
  22. JamesK
    Jun 23, 2010
    0
    Honestly, Eminem has once again succeeded in making me embarrassed to listen to hip-hop. His lyrics are filled with hate and shame that he has no reason to have. Seeing the user score for this album makes me disgusted as well. Has the real hip-hop really died?
  23. AdamD
    Jun 23, 2010
    10
    His best in years. Right behind The Marshall Mather's LP and The Eminem Show in terms of quality.
  24. HogHead
    Jun 23, 2010
    10
    This was a thoroughly entertaining album from start-to-finish. I guarantee that critics will eventually realize this for the classic it is, but as with The Marshall Mathers LP, its genius will take its time to be recognized. Packed with humourous, witty lines (So Bad, W.T.P.), combined with crazy lyrical firebombs (Almost Famous, No Love) and introspective, heartfelt tracks (Going Through This was a thoroughly entertaining album from start-to-finish. I guarantee that critics will eventually realize this for the classic it is, but as with The Marshall Mathers LP, its genius will take its time to be recognized. Packed with humourous, witty lines (So Bad, W.T.P.), combined with crazy lyrical firebombs (Almost Famous, No Love) and introspective, heartfelt tracks (Going Through Changes, You're Never Over), Recovery is a brilliant addition to Eminem's catalogue that comes across as a mature Eminem Show 2. Great stuff, Marshall. You're 'On Fire'.… Expand
  25. AJ
    Jun 23, 2010
    9
    A near perfect album, his best in years. At first I wasn't impressed, but now I love it more every time I listen to it.
  26. CalebR.
    Jun 23, 2010
    1
    His rapping sounds extremely forced. His flow is no longer 'fluid.' The choruses are incredibly cheesy/cliche/corny. He needs to stop singing. This is the public's perception of rap. This is far from authentic rap - this is more pop music then rap - but the masses will end up thinking this is rap because they are uninformed/don't really know much about music in His rapping sounds extremely forced. His flow is no longer 'fluid.' The choruses are incredibly cheesy/cliche/corny. He needs to stop singing. This is the public's perception of rap. This is far from authentic rap - this is more pop music then rap - but the masses will end up thinking this is rap because they are uninformed/don't really know much about music in general. This is a corporate product made to make 'mad bank' ect.… Expand
  27. gurjb
    Jun 23, 2010
    9
    Not the biggest eminem fan but i can fully understand why this is being labelled a classic. His lyrical ability can stimulate the imagination and one song to the next on this recovery album sees the listener indulge in a vast array of emotions and the music also allows relation to eminems music especially 'Love the way you lie' its a great album but one downpoint is instead of Not the biggest eminem fan but i can fully understand why this is being labelled a classic. His lyrical ability can stimulate the imagination and one song to the next on this recovery album sees the listener indulge in a vast array of emotions and the music also allows relation to eminems music especially 'Love the way you lie' its a great album but one downpoint is instead of passion on many tracks of the album it tilts to aggression which deters its effect,but never the less a great rap album for 2010 and with eminems and drakes albums both getting great approval it shows how much hip hop has grown with two completely different albums but both great and both hip hop.… Expand
  28. HumayunM
    Jun 24, 2010
    10
    Probably one of the best album that he has came out with. The Critics need to realize that he is getting old and he will not rap about his hate for Moby.
  29. kb9h2opolo
    Jun 24, 2010
    9
    Awesome except for a few tracks "meh" songs --> no love, your never over, seduction, wtp and talkin to myself... Awesome tracks--> love the way you lie, almost famous, cinderella man, space bound, cold wind blows, 25 to life, wont back down Good not great--> not afraid, going through changes, so bad, the bonus track and on fire.
  30. MattM
    Jun 25, 2010
    10
    Best album since the Mathers LP and one of the best hip hop albums in recent years. Can't remember when the last time I couldn't stop listening to an album over and over again, Great job EM keep up that killer sh*t!!!
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    30
    Much of Recovery centers around such themes as romantic devotion and anxiety, but the resulting material rings unsurprisingly hollow.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »