The weaker Album - Encore or Recovery? POLL

[Mr Change]

Encore 3.5/10

Recovery 6/10

Relapse 6.5/10

Notalius a 6.5/10 member after this post.

A shitload of fillers

I feel this is one of the reasons I tend to not rate Relapse higher.

Bagpipes, Hello, Medicine Ball, Old Time's Sake, Must be the Ganja, Crack a Botle are all the definition of filler tracks.

Not saying I don't like some of those tracks, but they are so fillerish.

[Mr Evil]

Almost all of Relapse is extremely enjoyable filler

[Amadeo]

Bagpipes, Hello, Medicine Ball, Old Time's Sake, Must be the Ganja, Crack a Botle are all the definition of filler tracks.

What do you mean by filler, though?

[Mr Change]

Bagpipes, Hello, Medicine Ball, Old Time's Sake, Must be the Ganja, Crack a Botle are all the definition of filler tracks.

What do you mean by filler, though?

It could mean a lot of things for me

in this case, songs that are without purpose, songs that have no content, songs that have content that is highly reproduced on the album--other times in a more quality way, repetitive songs, songs that are there just to be there and don't represent a part of the album themselves but just fit in in the tracklist etc etc

[Mr Change]

It could mean a lot of things for me

in this case, songs that are without purpose, songs that have no content, songs that have content that is highly reproduced on the album--other times in a more quality way, repetitive songs, songs that are there just to be there and don't represent a part of the album themselves but just fit in in the tracklist etc etc

........

I know you aren't saying that about Relapse when Recovery is EASILY Em's most filler filled album.

I disagree. Even if it was I feel like the sheer repetitiveness of Relapse would make for a more filler-esque album.

Recovery touches on a range of subjects and ideas like most other Eminem albums, where the songs discuss a range from troubling times in his life during his drug years, to surviving these times and standing up to his demons, explaining the origin and characteristics of Slim Shady, using music to symbolize women and vice versa, giving respect to his long time best friend who has passed away and who he misses dearly, detailing his rise from humble beginnings to the artist he is today, and several other vivid stories. In fact a lot of the album is mature reflection into his past and future.

I'm not saying the album doesn't have it's filler tracks, because it does, but I don't see how this is more filler than Relapse. I don't see how it could be called 'EASILY' his most filler filled at all.

[Mr Change]

I disagree. Even if it was I feel like the sheer repetitiveness of Relapse would make for a more filler-esque album.

Recovery touches on a range of subjects and ideas like most other Eminem albums, where the songs discuss a range from troubling times in his life during his drug years, to surviving these times and standing up to his demons, explaining the origin and characteristics of Slim Shady, using music to symbolize women and vice versa, giving respect to his long time best friend who has passed away and who he misses dearly, detailing his rise from humble beginnings to the artist he is today, and several other vivid stories. In fact a lot of the album is mature reflection into his past and future.

I don't see how this is more filler than Relapse. I don't see how it could be called 'EASILY' his most filler filled at all.

Cold Wind Blows FILLER
Talkin 2 Myself
On Fire FILLER
Won't Back Down FILLER
WTP FILLER
Going Through Changes
Not Afraid
Seduction FILLER
No Love
Space Bound FILLER
Cinderella Man
25 to Life
So Bad FILLER
Almost Famous
Love the Way You Lie FILLER
You're Never Over
Untitled FILLER

Tell me I'm lying.....

I'm not that picky when it comes to fillers, I understand them at times.... but I'd argue that's Recovery's biggest problem. The album doesn't have a coherent vibe to it..... Eminem sounds bi-polar as fuck on it.

That's not the case at all. A lot of the songs you highlighted as filler fit the descriptions I gave of non-filler characteristics of Recovery songs. On Fire, Won't Back Down, and WTP are straight up filler--no doubt. All the other songs, for the most part, are unique stories and ideas.

Seduction is about stealing a dudes girl, but on the flipside the girl is actually the music industry himself--Em uses this to explain that while he's gone this 'girl' may gravitate to the other guy, but when he's back she comes right back to him because on a whole different level. The 'bitch on his dick' music, and she's on his dick because he's that much better than you.

Spacebound is a love song about a woman who toys with Eminem's emotions, often leaving him in a bad shape but he can't leave her, and it eventually leads to him killing her out of frustration because she doesn't feel the same about him. Heck, this can ALSO be looked at in a different way to represent music.

Love the Way You Lie is a generic mainstream single. No doubt about it. Another love song, but this one is about a destructive relationship and addresses domestic violence, even the inclusion of Rihanna drives home the point.

Personally I couldn't call these songs filler.

You can make a case for So Bad, Cold Wind Blows, and Untitled, though. So Bad does fit the bill loosely as a origin story for Slim Shady and an all around Shady track itself, Cold Wind Blows is an album introduction--cannot be a filler because it does what it was made for and that's reintroduce the world to Em so he can pretty much say hey I'm back here's some cool rapping, and Untitled is a secret extra track.

[Amadeo]

in this case, songs that are without purpose, songs that have no content, songs that have content that is highly reproduced on the album--other times in a more quality way, repetitive songs, songs that are there just to be there and don't represent a part of the album themselves but just fit in in the tracklist etc etc

Well, "songs that are there just to be there" doesn't really apply to most of the songs on Eminem's albums. He's quite clearly proud of each song or he wouldn't put it on the album. Every time he makes an album, he's choosing a small batch from a larger batch because he thinks it's the best of the bunch. So describing Eminem songs as "filler" in the sense that he's just trying to fill up space on the CD doesn't make sense.

Unless you're talking about Encore. Filler is a good word to use for some of those songs, because he didn't give a shit about the quality of some songs. He was goofing off, popping pills, and shitting songs out just so he could fill enough space to put a new CD out.

And yes, I had a feeling you were referring to that first definition. In other words, a "filler" song to you is a song that isn't about anything in particular. But you call these songs "filler" as if conceptual/thematic songs are better simply because they are about something, which is not necessarily true.

[Mr Change]

And yes, I had a feeling you were referring to that first definition. In other words, a "filler" song to you is a song that isn't about anything in particular. But you call these songs "filler" as if conceptual/thematic songs are better simply because they are about something, which is not necessarily true.

Good point but I guess I am misunderstood in that aspect. Allow me to try and explain.

An example would be 3 AM. Good song, no doubt. I like it.

But it's mindless murder, rape, stalking, etc.

Something discussed on the album SEVERAL times--both in an odd line or two and in full fledged songs (SWA, SS&D) that do it better than it does. Therefore, to me, 3AM is filler because it not only has no real concept or story, but because what is is already on the album numerous times and in better ways. 3AM just "That song that is like Stay Wide Awake but not as good". The song doesn't add anything to the album. It doesn't represent it's own part of the tracklist. I would ask myself "Why does this song have to be here?". This is the problem with some other Relapse songs to me.

[Mr Evil]

Fucking Stans m8 ... Nothing but cringey comments, Recovery has a few fillers and just isn't all that cohesive.

[Amadeo]

I would make the same argument for Recovery.

It seems like he had a general theme going with songs like Not Afraid, Talkin 2 Myself, Cinderella Man, etc. etc.

And then decided to throw in songs like On Fire, WTP, So Bad, Untitled, etc. etc. which were more than likely recorded before those other songs, in order to finish up the album and put it out. Recovery was made in a short period of time, making my theory more than reasonable.

TES definitely has filler, but they don't stick out or bother me since they sonically mesh well with the rest of the album and Eminem himself maintains a coherent attitude throughout.

Putting an album together is an art in itself, you want to make sure the "mood" isn't ruined, having songs transitioning flawlessly into each other is a must for a great album. Which is why I say don't let songs people consider filler ruin the album for me as long as they are fitting.

You and Eminem obviously have a different definition of a great album, though.

If Eminem thought a great album ought to have one consistent mood, then he wouldn't be putting funny songs and serious songs on the same album...and he's done that in every single album he's ever done.

Unless I misunderstand you?

[Amadeo]

That's what I'm saying, you can have funny songs and serious songs (it makes the album much more interesting) but it's the transitioning that was always on point with his earlier works.

With Recovery you have what is probably the goofiest song in WTP going right into the most serious song Going Through Changes.

His earlier albums flowed much better, whether it was song transitioning or having a skit to set the tone for an upcoming mood, he and his team always knew what to do to make an album sound perfect.

But on The Slim Shady LP, it goes from Cum on Everybody (funny song) to Rock Bottom (serious song) to Just Don't Give a Fuck (funny song).

He's always seen his albums as a selection of songs that show off as much of his talent as possible (songwriting talent, acting talent, vocal talent, etc.) and as much of his personality as possible. Sure, he wants to make sure the end of one song transitions smoothly into the beginning of the next, but he's always had that concern, even on Recovery. For example, the end of "Talkin' 2 Myself" smoothly transitioning into the beginning of On Fire.

[TheBoss123]

I always just felt he put the silly/less serious songs scattered throughout to break up the intensity of the album. Im not saying it was necessarily to a cohesive success. But I never really had a problem with it.

How do yall feel about the placement of "Under the influence" right after Kim? Thats a pretty drastic change in tone, and while it doesnt personally bother me all that much I feel the song could have been better placed and just gone straight into Criminal from Kim. He probably put the song there to have a calm down after how intense Kim was.

[TheBoss123]

I always just felt he put the silly/less serious songs scattered throughout to break up the intensity of the album. Im not saying it was necessarily to a cohesive success. But I never really had a problem with it.

How do yall feel about the placement of "Under the influence" right after Kim? Thats a pretty drastic change in tone, and while it doesnt personally bother me all that much I feel the song could have been better placed and just gone straight into Criminal from Kim. He probably put the song there to have a calm down after how intense Kim was.

It doesn't bother me at all tbh.

The way the trunk shuts and then goes into the hook for under the influence is pretty cool.

Yeah I gotchu

[shadyblogger]

Interesting discussion on filler tracks on Relapse and Recovery... I personally don't find filler to be much of a problem, it really depends on the song tbh. Like for example I find that TES has some filler tracks yet I love bumping them so it really depends on the individual song/album. Recovery filler I don't like though.

[DoYouEvenRelapseBro]

Wow people on this threqd are making Recovery a classic album,Recovery was fucking poppy and radio shizz only 4 good songs in it.
SMH