The Marshall Mathers LP 2
by Eminem
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
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  1. Q Magazine
    Jan 7, 2014
    60
    Even though his wit and word patterns still dazzle, they need a livelier canvas if the Eminem nostalgia experience is to be the thrilling one it should be. [Jan 2014, p.122]
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  2. Mojo
    Dec 18, 2013
    60
    The music is almost secondary, his production' often leaden beats a mere sideshow to mind-bending internal rhyme pyrotechnics that jab hard at the surreal dial. [Jan 2014, p.92]
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  3. Austin Chronicle
    Nov 21, 2013
    40
    That he can rhyme more with a dated reference such as "Monica Lewinsky" affects neither his approach nor his ability to top Billboard, as happened yet again this month. That works only if you can get past 78 minutes of (potentially fictionalized) misogyny, homophobia, and allusions to killing or abandoning his family.
  5. Clash Music
    Nov 14, 2013
    50
    Some decent-enough songs on an overly long album mostly containing sub-par tracks from an artist capable of much more.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 11, 2013
    60
    The success here of being an album worth mention is derived from its encompassment of the past and present Marshall Mathers.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 6, 2013
    58
    While Bad Guy"--which recognizes that he's no better than the bullies who damaged him--might be the closest Em's come to a mea culpa, it still fails to justify his cranking the cycle back up again.
  8. Pitchfork
    Nov 5, 2013
    47
    Eminem’s too talented a rapper with too good a Rolodex for this to flop, but damned if Marshall Mathers LP 2 doesn’t give it a go.
  9. Paste Magazine
    Nov 5, 2013
    42
    Technical proficiency is overrated. Taste has to account for something, which means Eminem isn’t the Jimi Hendrix of hip hop. Instead, he’s in danger of becoming Yngwie Malmsteen: incredibly agile yet musically soulless. He says a lot of nothing on MMLP2, but I guess you can admire the way he says it.
  10. Pretty Much Amazing
    Nov 5, 2013
    58
    As an artist revisiting a previous masterwork, he’s chosen to add maturity in all the wrong spots. Lowbrow nods interspersed with pointed criticisms of nearly everyone of note made Eminem a star, but most of the references and insults here feel dated. It’s about as timely as catching up on last year’s episodes of TMZ on your DVR.
  11. Chicago Tribune
    Nov 4, 2013
    50
    The sense that we’ve all been here before, twice, is exacerbated by the tired samples and interpolations.
  12. Slant Magazine
    Nov 4, 2013
    60
    The album's production offers little that's new. Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin have crafted, or at least enabled, a few too many of the power-ballad slow jams that Eminem has grown increasingly fond of, alongside several guitar-driven anthems that come on as subtle as Jock Jams. Eminem is no one's hack, though, and the album has tantalizing moments of vintage performance.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2013
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 1386 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,227 out of 1386
  2. Mixed: 77 out of 1386
  3. Negative: 82 out of 1386
  1. hiphop97
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    Eminem is back! I was a massive fan of MMLP, SSLP and TES. I was disappointed with Encore, Relapse and Recovery but when this album came out,Eminem is back! I was a massive fan of MMLP, SSLP and TES. I was disappointed with Encore, Relapse and Recovery but when this album came out, I was so relieved! There was so much nostalgia listening to this album! I would have liked to hear production by Dr Dre but the album is still amazing tracks like "so far" and "bad guy" are my favourites. I would recommend the deluxe edition as the bonus tracks are amazing!… Full Review »
  2. nieur
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    This is great album and shows how Eminem has grown as person. He is not bashing his wife/mother doesn't mean it is not good hip-hop album.This is great album and shows how Eminem has grown as person. He is not bashing his wife/mother doesn't mean it is not good hip-hop album. Lyrically this is one of the finest album. He also understands and addresses hate towards him in the songs like He shows his rap skills in "Rap god".
    Best storytelling in "Bad guy". other songs are also very great. Overall this is great album    … Full Review »
  3. WAZEER_B
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    Best album Eminem has done since TES. This album has it all, references to the first MMLP, serious songs, funny/sarcastic songs, moreBest album Eminem has done since TES. This album has it all, references to the first MMLP, serious songs, funny/sarcastic songs, more commercial and radio-friendly songs that the 5 deluxe edition songs MORE than make up for. 10/10… Full Review »
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