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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. ChrisW.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Amazing album, very clever to use himself as a mirror for the world.
  4. 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?
  5. TJP.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Awesome album. Keep up the good work EM!
  6. 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
  7. LollyP
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    All time classic album. I enjoy listening to this more than even the Marshall Mathers LP.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. AdamD
    Jun 23, 2010
    10
    His best in years. Right behind The Marshall Mather's LP and The Eminem Show in terms of quality.
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. 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!!!
  17. triagemc
    Jun 26, 2010
    10
    Not one of these critics would know a hot verse or a sick metaphor if it slapped their wife...u want radio hits and 'fun' turn on the radio. you want to set ur speakers on fire listen to em's recovery...an album for rappers. any true emcee is mindblown by this album. not one track on here that doesnt have at least a couple lines that just make you look at your boys and say Not one of these critics would know a hot verse or a sick metaphor if it slapped their wife...u want radio hits and 'fun' turn on the radio. you want to set ur speakers on fire listen to em's recovery...an album for rappers. any true emcee is mindblown by this album. not one track on here that doesnt have at least a couple lines that just make you look at your boys and say are you SERIOUS?? ems #1 in the game and everbody gotta step it up if they wanna stay wit im. proud to call myself a lifeling shady fan after this one.… Expand
  18. GarryV.
    Jun 27, 2010
    10
    One of his best albums to date, just to name a couple of amazing songs including his colaborations with lil wayne, rhianna and Kobe on 'No Love', 'Love the way you lie' and 'Talking to myself'! I think eaisly the best album of the year and going to easily be one of Eminems best ever.
  19. idrisa
    Jun 28, 2010
    10
    These critics are insane..how could you like drake cd better than this one....eminem delivered on this record i think it is tied for his second best work the eminem show..now this cd is on track to selling 700,000 in its first week out Go em!
  20. YianniH.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Eminem successfully recovers. Great album. Tied for his third best ever. The critics are very wrong on trashing such a brilliant album. THE BEST: No Love, Space Bound, Almost Famous, Talkin 2 Myself THE WORST: W.T.P
  21. ColinH
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    This album is sick. His best in years. Everyone who hates on it just can't accept the fact that Em is now in his mid 30s and no longer feels the need to rap like he did when he was in his mid 20s. His music and his disposition is maturing and I believe its for the better. Keep it going Shady.
  22. OvaisM
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    His most emotional and serious album and this is the eminem I prefer.
  23. JasonA
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Amazing album, it's so nice to get something completely different yet remarkably familiar. Very impressed, eminem is back in true form.
  24. PeterL
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    This is his best album since The Eminem Show. Eminem remains at the top of his game showing off his incredible lyricism and how he is untouchable on a mic with this album. His last album was mediocre, but still blew away most of what hip hop released in the past year. This album solidifies his place as a legend in hip hop. A+!
  25. MattD
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    I have no frickin idea how the hell this got such a low score. This ,as well as all of em's other albums, was an amazing album where he expresses his passion for loving the game and his love for his kids and the loss of his best friend as well as the usual ima f*****g kill you attitude on a few of the songs but his clean and sober return has been a great one, and haters should just I have no frickin idea how the hell this got such a low score. This ,as well as all of em's other albums, was an amazing album where he expresses his passion for loving the game and his love for his kids and the loss of his best friend as well as the usual ima f*****g kill you attitude on a few of the songs but his clean and sober return has been a great one, and haters should just stop hating on him just because he speaks his mind.… Expand
  26. JosueR.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    This is definitely one of Eminem's best albums. Relapse, to me, was actually really good. Though, I saw so many flaws in his last record, you can barely spot any on this one. Some flaws include, producers weren't as strong on some songs, but other than that this album is near perfect. Eminem shows that his lyrical voice is still there. He showcases his abilities more than his This is definitely one of Eminem's best albums. Relapse, to me, was actually really good. Though, I saw so many flaws in his last record, you can barely spot any on this one. Some flaws include, producers weren't as strong on some songs, but other than that this album is near perfect. Eminem shows that his lyrical voice is still there. He showcases his abilities more than his past two albums. It's great to have him back. He's sober, but angry and hungry to take the rap game back. Welcome back Slim, you deserve to be titled "The Greatest Rapper Alive" Not only did he go out and experiment with different styles, he succeeds. He reaches out with his emotional lyrics. He's more mature and is still strong. I disagree with Slant Magazine and Pitchfork since they even gave the Marshall Mathers LP low scores. It's sad, but Eminem doesn't care about critics, he care about his fans that'll never get tired of him.… Expand
  27. OvaisM.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    An emotional. album with some genious humor.
  28. JohnS.
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    An incredible album that gives an unprecedented look into the mind of one of the greatest rappers out there.
  29. ollys
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Completely blew me away. I'm not even that huge a fan up to this point, but I gave this one a few listens and it's mind boggling how good it is. It might sound odd but this is in my top 5 of the year, along with Janelle Monae, High Violet, American Slang and Teen Dream by Beach House. What an odd top 5 of this year to date, but that's mine.
  30. HansS
    Jun 22, 2010
    10
    Eminem is back. This is album is in par with The Eminem Show. This is coming from someone who despised Encore and Relapse. The critics are just haters, half of them wouldn't appreciate good rap if Jesus delivered it himself. I AM SO HAPPY WITH THIS ALBUM!!!!
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 »