It’s always interesting to hear people complain about how badly Eminem has fallen off. Aside from his decrease in lyrical skill and creativity, the chief complaint always seems to be that he's "not being true to himself" because of his dramatically toned down content. According to these people, Eminem's true self is the crazed and psychotic "Slim Shady" persona that dominated both the Slim Shady and The Marshall Mathers LP. Yet they might have a different opinion after listening to Infinite. With little money and promotion Em released the album out of the trunk of his car back in 96. The album was a flop, barely selling anything and generating accusations that Em was biting off of Nas and AZ. The failure of the album had a significant impact on both Em’s career and his personal life as he contemplated suicide because of it. It also was the foundation of the anger, bitterness, and rage that led to the creation of the Slim Shady persona. Em used this persona to shock and entertain and the rest as we say is history. Em’s career blew up and Infinite was long forgotten. While today the few people who have listened to it give it more respect than it initially received, Em’s debut is hardly ever held in the same esteem as his first two commercial albums. This is upsetting to me because from a lyrical standpoint, I truly believe that Infinite is just as good if not better than any of his commercial work. True hip hop fans who appreciate raw lyricism need to check it out. Before you do though, be warned. Infinite is mainly a lyrics driven album. The lack of money that Em had while making it can be heard in the lackluster beats and sound quality. It took me awhile to get used to it when I first heard it. But after giving it many listens, I was able to appreciate the simplicity and subtlety of the production. Like the Rza’s earliest work, the production has a “less is more” philosophy and the stripped down beats serve as a good contrast to the intense lyrics that Em spits. Still, I can understand if you’re not feeling the production. What is undeniable however, is the lyrical fire that Em brings on this. But anyway, I’ve rambled on long enough and I’m starting to sound like Noah(just playing man) so without further ado, here’s my track for track review.
Infinite
The title track has a slow build. Soft pianos are heard and Em introduces himself and what he represents. Then the snare hits and the song goes into full gear. Em then precedes to spit some of the most clever and mind boggling lyrics I’ve ever heard from any rapper. Here’s a little sample.
“Imitator intimidator, stimulator, simulator of data, eliminator, there’s never been a greater, since the burial of Jesus, fuck around and catch all the venereal diseases, my thesis will smash a stereo to pieces, my accapella releases, classic masterpieces through telekinesis, that eases you mentally, gently, sentimentally, instrumentally, with entity, dementedly, meant to be, infinite.” Wow. Just look at all the internal rhymes and multis. Incredible. Not only the best song on the album but one of the best songs of Eminem’s entire career.
W.E.G.O.
Nothing substantial here. Kind of a pointless skit introducing the next song. Its Proof that does the introduction though.
It’s Okay
In my opinion, this song has the best production on the whole album. A very soothing and laid back beat. Its in this song that you realize just how different Eminem’s whole persona and mindset was on this album. He talks about the struggles of his life. But rather than express anger and violence he expresses hope for the future. He talks about his love for his daughter AND his wife. Yes, he actually says something nice about Kim. And there’s even more of that later. There’s one line here that really emphasizes the dramatic change that he’d eventually go through though. “And in the midst of this insanity, I found my Christianity, and through God, there’s a wish he granted me.” Who would’ve thought that the man who would evilly corrupt the minds of little boys and girls was a self professed Christian? Makes you realize the ridiculousness of taking the whole Slim Shady persona seriously.
Tonite
The most commercial song on the album, basically a typical party song except with weaker production and MUCH stronger lyricism. Em’s flow on this is on point and he drops some nice punchlines. “You couldn’t see me with binoculars, I’m armed like an Octupus, step on stage and you’ll get socked and pushed”
313
This song is pretty substantial. It features an underground Detroit rapper named Eye-Kyu. What’s so amazing about it is that it might just be the only song I’ve ever heard where Eminem gets upstaged by a guest rapper. I wont say that Em gets murdered because he holds his own. But this Eye-Kyu dude(has anyone heard other stuff from him) spits some of the most ridiculous shit that I’ve heard in awhile. I can’t even pick any sample lines for you to read so I’m just gonna post his entire verse.
“Yo some people say I'm whack, now if that's right
I'm the freshest whack MC that you ever heard, in your
lifetime
My slick accapella sounds clever with the beats
Boy I'm the deepest thing since potholes to ever hit the
streets
Forgot a gold digger's succubus , my souls thick with
ruggedness
With the mic I'm like a dyke, can't no nigga fuck with this
I got more Different Strokes than Philip Drummound
On open mic I bone your women just to keep my lyrics coming
(bitch)
We elevated to new heights premeditated
Let it be that I stated they hate it now that they see that I
made it
The escalated can be put to the test of greatness
Snatch the heart from MC's and I ate it
So I take it that's the reason I'm hated
To represent my temperment
If rap was a dick all you so called hard MC's would not be
impitant
But pimping it, and acting like you could rock a show (so)
Harder than LL's Rock the Bells, but you is a ho (now)
Everything that you collaborate I lacerate
My rhymes they keep coming like nympho maniacs that
masturbate
At a faster rate, yeah I got something for your ass to hate
I blasterate, and have you all running master gates
And as for face clutching and touching the flows
I got them open like marijuana smoke up in your nose
Bucking these hoes, I got that shit down to a science
Leaving them hot and bothered, turned on like an appliance
Defiance, no we won't have that
You want your shit to blow up?
Well I'ma stuff some dynamite in your ass crack
And blast that shit to kingdom come
Then bring them some of this real hip-hop
I drop beats and you ain't singing or gonna do a thing about
And you all knew from Meeko
That you couldn't hold your own with the strength of Lou
Forigno
So stop that bullshit and flow
Yo, you need to come with the real skills, and act like you
know”
So yeah, he pretty much kills it and he definitely outshines Em. But Em does have one punchline that had me rolling. “Cuz you can be quick, jump a candle stick and burn your back, and fuck Jill on a hill, but you still aint Jack.”
Maxine
Not really feeling this song. Em has a nice verse but the song is brought down by the guest rappers. One of them is Denaun Porter aka Kon Artist of D12. Its basically a cautionary tale about a promiscuous woman.
Open Mic
Another lyrically amazing battle track from Em. Once again, production is lacking and the chorus from some underground emcee named Thyme is annoying. But Eminem makes up for it by completely murdering the track with incredible rhymes showcasing his battle rap background.
Never 2 Far
This song is basically the prequel to Lose Yourself. A very inspirational song that shows Eminem at his most hopeful and optimistic.
Searchin
All right, I couldn’t even believe this song when I first heard it. Its pretty much the anti-Kim. It’s actually a love song dedicated to her. And theres no gimmicks or anything like that. Its just a straightforward love song. Yet another song that’ll make you wonder if Eminem really made the album.
Backstabber
Didn’t really like this song. The beat is weak. Em’s rhymes are good(he pretty much spits consistently on every track) but the content and concept is lacking. The title is self-explanatory. Em rants for awhile about backstabbers.
Jealousy Woes
A decent song but definitely the wrong song to end the album with it. The album starts off so strongly with its two best songs back to back, has a consistent middle and then slowly declines toward the end. Its basically a song about Eminem complaining about a particularly jealous woman. The song is decent and it belongs on the album but it definitely shouldn’t have been the closer.
To conclude, if the album had better production and better song order I would’ve considered it a classic. Lyrically I think it ranks up there with the legendary lyrical albums. And its interesting to think about the direction that Em’s career would’ve gone in if this album hadn’t bombed. Once again, this is a must have for any Eminem fan and any hip hop fan in general. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment