Oct 9, 2021 Here's the thing with Encore. At that time we didn't really know Eminem's sense of humor outside of violent imagery. We weren't ready for Puke, My First Single, Rain Man, Big Weenie, a--- Like That and Just Lose It. But this is what relaxed, not-angry Eminem is like. He's goofy, playful, silly and doesn't take himself too seriously. He was so relaxed on Encore and already got all the bad things out of his system in previous albums that on he could just take it easy and have fun. All the songs listed above are actually great if you can understand that sense of humor. He's like a goofy friend who makes everyone at ease just for being silly and makes everyone forget their problems for a moment. Puke is a better version of Kim. Kim is an annoying, unlistenable song now. Puke spins it into comedy and it's enjoyable at least. Classic Eminem here with "I go and get another one, now I got two", and the lines at the beginning of each verse. My First Single is lyrically pure Eminem. The beat is bad, but the actual lyrics are fun and on point. Rain Man is one of my top Eminem songs, and here the beat is also great. You find me offensive, I find you offensive...in the Bible it says...you find me offensive, s---, same verse... and the way he sounds on it, I don't think he's been more confident. Big Weenie is often in Eminem's worst song lists, but this is wrong. It's a great concept at that point of his career and that "munch a bunch of crunch'n'munch part alone is enough. a--- Like That is pure comedy. Everyone I know who just casually knows about Eminem loves this song. Just Lose It is a goofy Without Me, first single so it's light and catchy. I miss these kind of singles from Eminem. These are the commonly considered bad songs. They're pure fun and I love them. Eminem showed a side here that we didn't know about because he couldn't get to it previously. He's actually a lighthearted comedian who happened to have big issues to take out in a rhyming form, but outside of that he just wants to have fun (proved again with Relapse). Even if you cannot allow yourself to enjoy goofy humor because you're oh so serious, that's 6 songs out of the way. The rest of the album, other than One Shot Two Shot, is Eminem Show level material. Some of his best verses are on these songs. You've all been pressured into considering this album as bad and didn't give it an honest listen. Most of you here probably weren't even born when this album came out. It's now just something people say on autopilot "Encore is bad" without ever being open to it. I know, I've been a victim of this too. Snap out of it! Now I enjoy this album more than anything after Relapse and even more than SSLP. I'm tempted to say I enjoy it more than MMLP too simply because he's just so angry on MMLP, it takes a toll on the listener. After Relapse he's never really been as confident as he is here. Here he knows he's the best and you can take it or leave it, he's here to enjoy himself. And it's refreshing to hear this kind of Eminem, not obsessed with bars, fast flows and proving he's the best. MTBMB Side B might be considered a spiritual successor to Encore because he's finally back to being goofy and funny in this kind of way (plus denser lyrics and wordplay). Forget what you're supposed to think due to almost two decades of inertia and give Encore a proper chance. Relax, don't be afraid to be silly and enjoy.
Oct 9, 2021 besides relapse yes. encore is half classic em half the worst songs anyone has ever made across all genres but at least it's bad in an interesting way instead of just soulless and bland like most of what he made in the 2010s
Oct 9, 2021 wow I didn't read OP before I posted, while I stand by what I said but I absolutely do not agree with his take on it lol
Oct 9, 2021 Encore is light years worse than his first 3 though, that's not even debatable But I do agree it's refreshing to listen to him on songs like Toy Soldiers and Mosh, can you imagine him trying to flow over the beat like that today? He's literally incapable, he'd have an aneurysm
Oct 9, 2021 At least the albums before recovery he had somewhat of a touch. He lost it after releasing recovery. Especially his voice changed into a robot or something idk man i just want nice beats and him rapping good. Enough with the double times and him screaming all the time
Oct 9, 2021 Love the analysis. Enjoyed encore as well....maybe it’s because I was in high school and brings me back good memories...never understood all the hate but to each their own....def some great tracks on there it would be interesting to see my perspective or all of our perspectives if he put out that exact album now or 10years after the initial release lol
Oct 9, 2021 Ehhh I disagree. I think he was far from relaxed or happy. I'm pretty sure he's even said he was furious about the album leaking and when he went in the studio to finish the album he just got the songs over with as fast as he could.
Oct 9, 2021 You can be mad that songs leaked and still be in a good mood generally to joke around on new songs. Plus, it's more likely that was just an excuse to try to justify those songs, like "Relapse, I was flushing drugs out and learning how to rap again" Not sure why he had to remove the leaked songs anyway. Internet was not that common in 2004 that everyone would hear those songs prior to the album being released.
Oct 9, 2021 No, no. Funny s--- is the best. I also seriously claim Fack is a fun song and putting it as the opener of greatest hits was brilliant.