I am also a 51 year old male. Em is 2 weeks older than I am. So I have been through his entire rise as a big fan. And I can say THIS album is SO much deeper & well thought through than any other. Maybe his earlier albums were more commercial successes in the long run, but THIS album is a pure masterclass is music, lyrics, meaning and organization. Just make sure to listen to the album in track order. The whole album is basically about Marshall Mathers of today killing slim Shady of yesterday. Knowing that, and listening song to song in order then makes sense. And one big thing to remember is the more you listen to this album the MUCH better it sounds by understanding what it means better each time.
It is funny, evil, clever, touching and most of all... just flat out DOPE! These rhymes are just BRILLIANT! Never seen such a well constructed album as this one. Obviously Houdini is this albums commercial hit, and it IS very catchy. I love Steve Miller, so this track was SUCH a pleasant surprise. Steve Miller even praised it! I am going to see Steve Miller in two weeks with Journey & Def Leppard, so looking forward to “Abracadabra”.
My personal favorite tracks are Guilty Conscious 2, Habits, Lucifer, Fuel, AntiChrist & Trouble along with Houdini. He also has very touching tracks in Temporary & Somebody Save Me. This is one of these albums that the more you hear it, the more you love the music and appreciate the incredibly well written lyrics. And he is SO current with the times as well.
Eminem is a living legend. Period! Now we need a world tour!