Revival
by Eminem
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1269 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 690 out of 1269
  2. Mixed: 207 out of 1269
  3. Negative: 372 out of 1269
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  1. DBrown7
    Dec 15, 2017
    0
    Nothing but a shadow of his former self. Straight garbage. You would think that with the leading single "Walk on Water" addressing how he struggles to live up to his own name and past, that maybe he would pull it out the bag and give an album that longstanding fans deserve. Nope, just the same pop-ballad trash that has been accredited to him the past couple years.
  2. antpaca
    Dec 15, 2017
    3
    Sure, he acrobats around lyrically in a way that's technically impressive, but no satisfying flow ever emerges. The uptempo tracks retread the same old ground (with the exception of the occasional political commentary), and the more introspective tracks do the same but with bland, drawn out, forgettable pop choruses. If your wish in 2017 was "Recovery, but worse", you got it. Even nods toSure, he acrobats around lyrically in a way that's technically impressive, but no satisfying flow ever emerges. The uptempo tracks retread the same old ground (with the exception of the occasional political commentary), and the more introspective tracks do the same but with bland, drawn out, forgettable pop choruses. If your wish in 2017 was "Recovery, but worse", you got it. Even nods to MMLP2, Encore, and Relapse seem out of place and half-baked. It's just a mess.… Expand
  3. Lewisd900
    Dec 15, 2017
    10
    Best album since the Eminem Show gets better after multiple listens!! This is a different eminem and shows he's matured as marshall mathers the man and eminem the artist GOAT!
  4. hobi
    Jan 4, 2018
    5
    Maybe I put a lot of expectation on this Eminem album. He did not sound unique and with unique sounds as he always brought. Songs with dubious production and with known samples, it sounded generic and not very authentic. There are some good tracks in your album like river and remind me, but they are by far, unoriginal. Sad
  5. Tom_Bombadil
    Dec 20, 2017
    6
    It's ok. I could do without the cringy lines Marshall raps every now and then, but almost every hip hop album today has some cringe (whether people like to admit it or not).
  6. nbro
    Jan 22, 2020
    8
    This is actually a good album. Some people expect Eminem to be X, other people expect him to be Y, and other people expect him to be Z, and they always have an excuse to criticize him and not let him be the undoubtedly greatest again. The truth is that he's the greatest, either if you want to accept it or not.
  7. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    1
    Holy **** I can't believe i listened through this mess of an album. This was the first album Eminem dropped after I started listening to him in earlier 2017. I was so excited, as Eminem was the only artist I listened to at the time, then he drops Walk on water. I thought it was alright, but I didn't like the lack of drums, and I missed the energetic Em When the album dropped, I listened toHoly **** I can't believe i listened through this mess of an album. This was the first album Eminem dropped after I started listening to him in earlier 2017. I was so excited, as Eminem was the only artist I listened to at the time, then he drops Walk on water. I thought it was alright, but I didn't like the lack of drums, and I missed the energetic Em When the album dropped, I listened to the entire thing, multiple times, and added all of the songs to my playlist.... WHY? I forced myslef to like this because I wanted the new Em to be great, but let's face it... He isn't. The lyrics are embarrasing, the beats awful, and the mixing and features are just ****ty. This is probably the worst album I've ever listened all the way through.… Expand
  8. MiguelNunes98
    Nov 4, 2018
    6
    If this songs: "River (feat.Ed Sheeran), Bad Husband (feat. X Ambassadors) and Need Me (feat. P!nk) wasn't on the album, it would be a 9 for me.
    This album is one of those that every listening it gets better and emotional. "Arose", " In Your Head" and "Framed" are my favourite.
  9. Macrofficial
    Mar 27, 2020
    8
    This album is underrated and overhated. Yes, there are couple bad songs in this album, like Chloraseptic's very sloppy flow or Believe's average lyrics, the album overall is quite solid. The best songs on this album would have to be Walk On Water, Castle, and Arose
  10. DABBINGBOI
    May 12, 2021
    3
    Honestly, there were some great songs (Walk on Water, Arose, Framed) but overall its Eminem's worst album. His Delivery is poor, and songwriting his ok (for his standards) it's messy, recovery was better, even though i would say Recovery was less emotional. If Eminem made an album with the emotional power of Revival and the delivery, beats (even the tone) of MTBMB SIDE A and B, it could beHonestly, there were some great songs (Walk on Water, Arose, Framed) but overall its Eminem's worst album. His Delivery is poor, and songwriting his ok (for his standards) it's messy, recovery was better, even though i would say Recovery was less emotional. If Eminem made an album with the emotional power of Revival and the delivery, beats (even the tone) of MTBMB SIDE A and B, it could be his greatest album… Expand
  11. The-X-Territory
    Jan 24, 2021
    7
    I dont think this album is perfect, but it's definitely not as bad as many people have made it out to be. The only real song on here i find uninteresting is Untouchable mostly due to Em's delivery, other than that, every other song is perfectly fine. Sure, they aren't his best songs, but they're still good songs.
  12. DunyG
    Apr 4, 2021
    0
    Sure, it's music, but not to me. So dumb and has heaps of dumb strewn about. To put it in a way easier to understand it's trash and is sick to the bone.
  13. LemonDropped
    Oct 2, 2021
    2
    Eminem's worst album, period. While this is his worst album, it is somewhat tolerable as some songs are quite good such as "Untouchable" and "Walk On Water", but majority of the songs are just lackluster pieces of music that are a tool, using mediocre pop artists for features to get more money and views. 80% songs aren't of substance, the classic trope of "I love my wife but I hate her"Eminem's worst album, period. While this is his worst album, it is somewhat tolerable as some songs are quite good such as "Untouchable" and "Walk On Water", but majority of the songs are just lackluster pieces of music that are a tool, using mediocre pop artists for features to get more money and views. 80% songs aren't of substance, the classic trope of "I love my wife but I hate her" and some songs calling Donald Trump a nazi to appeal to the youth on "Offended". Moreover, staccato flow on "Chloraseptic" and the ear-destroying chorus on "Framed" ruin the album further. In summary, this is Eminem's worst and it is unbelievable how it took four years to make this album.… Expand
  14. anyu
    Dec 19, 2017
    5
    I really want to love this album, I can't. I'm torn because I would love to see Eminem's triumphant return.
    Lyrically and technically, he'll always be one of the greatest of all time and glimpses of his genius are certainly visible at times. Unfortunately, many of the songs are so poorly produced, sampled and dialed in that it really kills the overall flow of the album. One would wish    I really want to love this album, I can't. I'm torn because I would love to see Eminem's triumphant return.
    Lyrically and technically, he'll always be one of the greatest of all time and glimpses of his genius are certainly visible at times. Unfortunately, many of the songs are so poorly produced, sampled and dialed in that it really kills the overall flow of the album. One would wish Rick Rubin to sit back and let Dr. Dre take control.
    What I do appreciate about this effort is Eminem's matured outlook and perspectives. We can't expect him to make the music he made as a young man now that he's in his mid-40s. I just wish that his more powerful and important messages (Trump, racism etc) were met with a better sound and not some pop garbage hook out of the can.
    Eminem can do better, I strongly believe that he just needs a different kind of team behind his productions. I sure hope we get a chance to find out... Though, that may take another three to four years.

    Best Songs:
    Tragic Endings feat. Skylar Grey
    Castle
    Arose

    Worst Songs:
    Offended
    Untouchable    … Expand
  15. Cpillow
    Dec 16, 2017
    4
    I think I speak for many individuals by saying that Eminem has been a huge part of their life in one way or another. I loved his music during my adolescent days, and revisited his material when I went through some tough times this past summer. With that being said Eminem has a very similar career trajectory as the alternative rock band Weezer. They can both put out stunning material, andI think I speak for many individuals by saying that Eminem has been a huge part of their life in one way or another. I loved his music during my adolescent days, and revisited his material when I went through some tough times this past summer. With that being said Eminem has a very similar career trajectory as the alternative rock band Weezer. They can both put out stunning material, and some of the worst mainstream material imaginable. Revival is a misstep for Marshall after a great album in The Marshall Mathers LP 2, as a Recovery sound is reached for once again.

    I was hesitant before listening to this album thanks to the features list, and I think the best complement I can give is that its about what I expected. Ed Sheeran’s feature wasn’t as bad as I imagined it would be, but Kehlani comes through in that regard. I don’t know how, but she actually makes Eminem’s singing sound good. Pink, Alicia Keys and Skylar Grey have completely forgettable features, and Phresher does a horrendous job on the hook of “Chloraseptic”. X Ambassadors sound so monotone on their poor performance, so really Beyonce’s feature on “Walk on Water” might be the only feature highlight on the entire record.

    Sonically, Revival is all over the place. Similar to Kanye’s “The Life of Pablo”, we go from one idea to another without much cohesion. Is this a political record, or a record about the final stage of recovery? I would be fine with either one, but the ride becomes shaky when its hard to tell the aim. The album starts pretty rough to after the mediocre “Walk on Water” with the song “Believe”. Em takes on a trap beat, and does a terrible job on the hook with Lil Wayne quality level punchlines. The song “Like Home” is a pointed political song, but it is no “White America” or “Mosh”. Near the middle and toward the end there are way too many relationship songs that eventually just bleed into one another. I think a shortened tracklist could have done this album wonders.

    That’s not to say that there isn’t some good to be had on this album. “Framed” sounds like a Revival song sans the accents and has a hook that for some reason I love. “Remind Me” has Eminem taking a similar approach to the one used on Marshall Mathers LP 2 by taking a classic rock song and sampling it. This needs to happen more often, because all of these tracks have turned out great, (look at “Rhyme or Reason” or “So Far”). “Offended” sounds like classic Eminem, with a superhero cartoon sounding beat and an insane flow near the end. “Arose” is a great heart touching closer that fits well with the Revival theme and is a stand-out moment.

    Overall Revival is a mess. Eminem is without a doubt one of the most talented rappers ever, but his hook choices and production choices have continued to hurt his career. In addition to that some of the lyrics and flows are awful. When Eminem says things like “your booty is heavy duty like diarrhea”, or “I just got the air about me like wind chimes”, or “I’m swimming in that Egyptian River cause I’m in denial”, I die a little inside. Overall, I think Revival is a big step back for Marshall. While I’m sure some Eminem fans who like his more poppy material might love this, it just isn’t a record for me.    … Expand
  16. jellyjish
    Dec 22, 2017
    4
    Eminem's worst album yet. A ton of generic pop-ballads that try to capture the mainstream radio success of Love The Way You Lie mixed with some of the most awful beats that I have ever heard create one of 2017's worst hip hop albums. Although Eminem is still lyrically fantastic and he retains his great flow as he gets older as seen in his guest verses on Speedom by Tech N9ne in 2015 and NoEminem's worst album yet. A ton of generic pop-ballads that try to capture the mainstream radio success of Love The Way You Lie mixed with some of the most awful beats that I have ever heard create one of 2017's worst hip hop albums. Although Eminem is still lyrically fantastic and he retains his great flow as he gets older as seen in his guest verses on Speedom by Tech N9ne in 2015 and No Favors by Big Sean this year, if a rapper has good lyricism and flow it doesn't necessarily mean that the rapper can create a good song and there is no better example of that then most of the songs on this album. There are actually a small handful of songs (Framed and Castle/Arose) that are actually good and worth checking out but this decent 20% does not make up for the average (Walk On Water, Chloraseptic, Believe, Offended) and awful (Any songs not listed previously) songs that make up the other 80% of the album. 4/10.… Expand
  17. emeraldstorm
    Dec 20, 2017
    3
    What do you get when you take the most skilled rapper of all time and have him rap over beats and songs that are mediocre and just not very good? You get something like this album. He needs better songs, it's that simple. The skill and lyricism and all of that are A-1 as always.. but the songs aren't anything I'd like to listen to. With the exception of Framed.
  18. AntonioUchoa
    Dec 19, 2017
    1
    Além de excessivamente longo e cansativo, “Revival” parece não dispor o melhor do Eminem desde o seu hiato com “The Marshall Mathers LP2”. O manifesto político é algo até compreensível, se não fosse pela péssima performance do Eminem na maioria, ou em todas as músicas do álbum. Um exemplo na música “Believe” no primeiro verso, especificamente no trecho “[...] So I unabomb **** – tick,Além de excessivamente longo e cansativo, “Revival” parece não dispor o melhor do Eminem desde o seu hiato com “The Marshall Mathers LP2”. O manifesto político é algo até compreensível, se não fosse pela péssima performance do Eminem na maioria, ou em todas as músicas do álbum. Um exemplo na música “Believe” no primeiro verso, especificamente no trecho “[...] So I unabomb **** – tick, tick, tick – no remorse PEW!”, com essa repetição de uma onomatopeia que não aumenta a capacidade de rima e nem acrescenta nada à performance. Ainda nessa música, Eminem parece se arrastar para levar esses minutos, como um paciente com falta de oxigênio, sem falar do refrão que não pega, sem ritmo, sem sincronia com nada.

    Em “Walk on Water”, outra faixa que me surpreende em ver Eminem rimando lentamente tentando ser mais sutil que a participação vergonhosa da Beyonce. Ouçam a intro de “Beautiful Pain”, onde Eminem entra de uma maneira sensacional introduzindo os vocais maravilhosos da Sia que no decorrer na música se torna mais frenético do que toda a performance dele nesse disco. Sem falar nos versos onde Beyonce canta com sutileza, e logo vem aqueles **** **** que mais lembra alguém fazendo sexo em local público do que ele falando realmente ao fundo.

    “River”, e a participação descartável do Ed Sheeran só surpreende na produção do Emile Haynie. O tema delicado e a composição dos versos do Eminem até que decentes, não fazem essa música se destacar nem como “boa”. E essa música termina de maneira muito incompleta para dar início a uma interlude que nem ao menos deveria existir.

    “Tragic Endings” e os versos da Skylar que mais me lembra as músicas de “sofrência” da Marilia Mendonça quando ela canta “Cause I’m so drunk off tragic endings”. Sem distinção, confesso que é uma das melhores performances do Eminem nesse álbum.

    Para fechar, “Need Me” um ressalte extremo de tão bom que essa música é. O protagonismo da P!nk com os vocais do Eminem de fundo, suave, isso sim é uma ótima ambientação musical. E mais uma música sobre relacionamento, diferente de outras, essa é a que tem mais força e cativação. A veracidade das batidas violentas traz algo extraordinário e mágico desde a performance de ambos até o gosto ao ouvir.

    Contudo, “Revival” não tem pontos positivos, é tosco, não traz lembranças boas do Slim Shady, o Rap God, e nem o egocentrismo hostil do Eminem. Lamento, mas isso é um lixo.

    Ouçam: “Need Me”    … Expand
  19. Ray13
    Dec 19, 2017
    10
    This is one of Eminem’s best album’s to date. It has both the playful side of Slim Shady and the thoughtful and mature side of Marshall Mathers. With a very interesting blend of modern and classic beats. Definitely a great album, been listening to it on repeat since it came out!
  20. Nick_Mad
    Jan 8, 2018
    3
    I'm not a big fan of Eminem,but I bought all his albums and Revival is the worst album. Bad rhymes,bad text. Everything is bad in this album.
  21. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 4, 2021
    0
    God damn is this **** Like M&M has lost his ability to impress or create a decent output.
  22. Mixotrof
    Dec 15, 2017
    7
    This album has a lot of enjoyable songs, like Castle,Arose and Framed,but not that good production on some songs and sometimes very dumb lyrics are the reason this is only a 7. Overall,a OK album.
  23. DavidWasHere
    Dec 15, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I didn't want to hate this album. I honestly wanted to enjoy it. I'm not huge into Eminem, but his classic albums are undeniable. And while the Marshall Mathers LP 2 wasn't a masterpiece, it still was a solid comeback album and it had me thinking that Em might be back. Oh...does this hurt.

    I will give this album some credit, Em does sound energetic, his flow is solid for a lot of the track list, and there is a bombastic energy with the production. But this album is just a slog to get through, between Em being "woke" on the politically charged songs, such as his flat out terrible attempt at addressing racial issues on Untouchables that just prove to be ignorant (educations sucks for everyone in the US Em, not just for the black community), it's all just a horrible attempt at trying to recreate Love the Way You Lie, with all of these emotional and corny as hell instrumentals and all these features that do not match what-so-ever. The only good feature here is Beyonce on Walk on Water, but that's mostly because that's the best song here. As saccharine as that song is, it has the most weight to it and it's only song here that isn't overproduced!

    Here's what makes this album sting with how good it could have been. The song Bad Husband is Eminem apologizing to Kim. That's huge! And it does show that Em has grown up a lot. BUT the instrumental ruins it, with these glitchy electronic break-beats not mixing at all with the symphonic instrumentation, and X Ambassadors not fitting at all singing the chorus and just sounds so detached from what is going on. It's clear this song is trying to be another Headlights off of the Marshall Mathers LP 2, which is an apology to Eminem's mom. And as cheesy as that song is, it matched the tone and the singer from fun. matched the tone and sounded like he gets what Eminem is singing.

    Seriously this should have been so much better considering the material here! But Em just decided to make a long, sloggy album that is so damn saccharine and trying to get crossover play on the radio when Em isn't making himself look like an ass with his attempts at political statements. I am more forgiving here because it's not all terrible, but man considering what came before this should have been better!    … Expand
  24. PresidentTrump
    Dec 21, 2017
    1
    Probably the most painful thing I've ever listened to. I've heard some TERRIBLE music in my days, but what made this so painful to listen to, is that it's from MARSHAL motherf*cking MATHERS! Eminem. One of THE GREATEST rappers of all time has lost all of his original style and churned out a garbage album that is so painful to sit down and finish.

    The only track i sorta liked: Castle    Probably the most painful thing I've ever listened to. I've heard some TERRIBLE music in my days, but what made this so painful to listen to, is that it's from MARSHAL motherf*cking MATHERS! Eminem. One of THE GREATEST rappers of all time has lost all of his original style and churned out a garbage album that is so painful to sit down and finish.

    The only track i sorta liked: Castle
    Least Favorite Track: The rest of em.    … Expand
  25. ToiletBoy
    Dec 25, 2017
    0
    One might say Revival is Recovery 2. I’d go as far to say it’s more of an Ultra Recovery Turbo. Everything the rap world hated about Recovery is here except turned up to 14. Pop features and bad choruses are just the first deadly sin this album commits. Just take a look at the tracklist and notice Em bafflingly decided Ed Sheeran was an essential element but 2 Chainz could be left off. TheOne might say Revival is Recovery 2. I’d go as far to say it’s more of an Ultra Recovery Turbo. Everything the rap world hated about Recovery is here except turned up to 14. Pop features and bad choruses are just the first deadly sin this album commits. Just take a look at the tracklist and notice Em bafflingly decided Ed Sheeran was an essential element but 2 Chainz could be left off. The production is the second atrocity Marshall blesses us with. Again the weird choice of bland Rick Rubin rock-rap beats and poppy dollar-store tracks are just awful. Of course the verses are probably the most horrendous thing Eminem has ever done, it’s actually embarrassing to listen to. It’s all awful. Kill me. **** Donald Trump.… Expand
  26. IvanCRJ
    Dec 15, 2017
    9
    Surely not Marshall's best but this project is undoubtedly solid, the wide variety of styles works as a compilation of his 20-year career, having 90's, 2000's, and 2010 Eminem in there. Overall with a much mature tone, as anticipated. Well crafted, quality album.
  27. Danaruu
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    Calling this an Eminem album would be an insult. As a long time fan and listener it just sounds like Marshall needs to retire.
  28. louiswisey
    Dec 18, 2017
    9
    Very good album, could argue it has been the best album since the Eminem show, all songs are catchy and many have been produced greatly. worst song is the song with pink.It has been very badly promoted and he should fire Rosenburg and get a new marketing team. overall very good album.
  29. Jsunfun
    Dec 20, 2017
    2
    He needs to either hang it up or stop with the corny, corny, corny jokes, metaphors and wordplay. He started doing these dumb lines in 2009 with Recovery and it's made every album borderline unlistenable since then. I used to be a big Em fan, but he can't make it through an entire verse without at least one cringey line. He's not the GOAT because he's writing some of the worst lyrics ever.He needs to either hang it up or stop with the corny, corny, corny jokes, metaphors and wordplay. He started doing these dumb lines in 2009 with Recovery and it's made every album borderline unlistenable since then. I used to be a big Em fan, but he can't make it through an entire verse without at least one cringey line. He's not the GOAT because he's writing some of the worst lyrics ever.

    He also needs to remember how to ride a beat again. He has his moments on this record, but it's still nothing compared to Till I Collapse, Rain Man, The Way I Am, Lose Yourself, etc.

    On top of those two fatal flaws, the rock hooks on here are atrocious and his pathetic attempts to shock are just sad. Maybe those Cosby jokes and lines about poop would have offended people in 1999 or whatever, but it's 2017 and he's almost 50. It's just sad now.

    The worst part of it is you can tell he still has the ability to be great, but he won't be again unless he makes some serious pivots from the tired crap he's been releasing for the past seven years.    … Expand
  30. LinttaFlamingo
    Dec 22, 2017
    2
    What a rubbish album. Almost all the beats and melodies were boring or annoying, the lyrics were constantly underwhelming despite Eminem's flow and some of the sampling choices are absolutely atrocious and used in a weird way, especially in the song "Remind Me" which was absolute ****.
    The obvious hit song of the album "River" felt way too familiar to his other hit songs especially when    What a rubbish album. Almost all the beats and melodies were boring or annoying, the lyrics were constantly underwhelming despite Eminem's flow and some of the sampling choices are absolutely atrocious and used in a weird way, especially in the song "Remind Me" which was absolute ****.
    The obvious hit song of the album "River" felt way too familiar to his other hit songs especially when it comes to song structure and it was very forgettable. There's also the song "Tragic Endings" which was straight up demo material and felt very out of place, probably a last minute add. There were two songs that were much better, "Nowhere Fast" and "Offended" but they were also very mediocre at best and "Offended" is absolutely ruined by a chorus that's just tosh.

    What a shame.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2017
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 6 out of 24
  1. The Wire
    Feb 23, 2018
    40
    Chosen topics prove less crucial than his relentlessly tedious delivery. [Feb 2018, p.51]
  2. Q Magazine
    Jan 30, 2018
    40
    Eminem has never sounded more like a man out of time. [Mar 2018, p.107]
  3. RapReviews.com
    Jan 18, 2018
    75
    At least a third of the tracks are songs I could do without. The other two-thirds show that whether you love or hate the modern day Marshall Mathers, he's still as relevant as he ever was.
    Read full review
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