Why is it always the greats that have to leave us? From Sandy Koufax to Barry Sanders to Jay-Z, legends of their respective professions have loved to retire in the midst of their prime, whether it is for personal reasons or in hopes of attaining legendary status.
Once again, the American public faces such a tragedy with the retirement of arguably one of the greatest rappers of all time, Marshall Mathers, a.k.a. Slim Shady, a.k.a. Eminem.
And what legendary music career would be complete without a greatest hits album?
Although the album could have been a double disc (a project that might still be in the works), "Curtain Call" contains a selection of songs that epitomize Shady's impressive career, from his first hit "My Name Is" all the way to "Like Toy Soldiers."
The album includes three new songs entitled "Fack," "Shake That" (featuring Nate Dogg) and "When I'm Gone." These were all written and produced by Eminem. He feels that Dr. Dre has taught him all he needs to know. The album also includes one bonus track of the infamous version of "Stan" that Shady sang with Elton John at the 2001 Grammy Awards.
On "Fack," Shady enthusiasts will be reminded of what first attracted them to the infamous rapper. The song is filled with vileness and vulgarity as they were in the days of "The Slim Shady LP."
In the second original track on the album, "Shake That," Eminem rejoices in his own style as he spits out lyrics like it's not even a chore anymore.
"I'm a menace, a dentist, an oral hygienist/ Open your mouth for about four or five minutes/ Take a little bit of this fluoride/ Swish but don't spit it, swallow and I'll finish/ Yeah me and Nate D-O double G/ Looking for a couple b****** with some double D's/ Pop a little champagne and a couple E's/ Slip it in her bubbly, we finna finna have a party," he raps.
His last original song is carefully placed as the second-to-last track. "When I'm Gone" strikes the listener as Eminem's way of riding off into the sunset. It is done in the style of many of his serious songs like "Mockingbird" and "Mosh."
As the song goes through each verse, memories of listening to the self-proclaimed "Rap's Elvis" might evoke a sense of melancholy, as there is no one to take Eminem's place as the best rapper around.
Though the album is loaded with too many radio songs and not enough of Shady's more masterful songs, "Curtain Call" does a nice job of showcasing Eminem's professional career, one that will be missed.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
