Eminem's Encore not his best

After almost two years of lying low, Eminem has burst out with Encore, in which he contemplates life and, taking the lead after Usher, makes confessions in his lyrics. However, the Detroit rapper does not match Usher's success, though at least he makes a worthwhile attempt.

Unlike his previous albums, Eminem adds an element of sentiment to his assertions. In a few songs, Eminem reminisces about his past, states his regrets and then switches back to his apathetic and cynical attitude. As in all of his previous albums, celebrities such as Michael Jackson and MTV couple Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are insulted. Moreover, Eminem takes a potshot at Bush in "Mosh."

Encore opens up as its predecessor did with "Curtains Up," a short title track where a concert audience chants at the top of their lungs, "Em-in-em!" The next song, "Evil Deeds," picks up on the same note; with the roar of the audience rising and a beat steadily picking up, the song follows Eminem's old habit of criticizing his mother for being useless and cruel and even refers to Eminem himself as a spawn of Satan. "Therefore I did not know that I would grow to be my mother's evil seed and do these evil deeds," raps Eminem.

The album is interrupted with two short yet hilarious skits, appropriately titled "Paul" and "Em Calls Paul," which feature one of Eminem's agents calling the rap star on the phone about Michael Jackson taking offense to the "Just Lose It" video. Eminem calls back in a muffled voice and in his trademark sarcastic attitude, apparently defecates while leaving his message – and is not polite about it either.

Eminem, notorious for bashing homosexuals and cursing profusely in his songs, surprises his audience in "Yellow Brick Road" when he apologizes profusely for making a racist tape in his youth following a break-up with his ex-wife. Eminem declares himself guilty for when he "singled out a whole race." The song shines a quasi-innocent light on Eminem and provides a smooth segway for the next song, "Like Toy Soldiers," where Eminem protests that he tried to end a long-lasting feud with rival rapper Ja Rule but was irate when Ja Rule mentioned Eminem's daughter in his songs.

By far, the best song in the album is "Mockingbird," where Eminem sings a soft, calm lullaby to his daughter, Hailie, against an entrancing tune in the backdrop. The song, built off of the popular "Hush, Little Baby" nursing rhyme, follows Eminem explaining to Hailie the absence of her mother.

For those with squeamish stomachs, avoid "Puke," which contains the obvious gut-wrenching sound effect. During the whole song, Eminem seems to whine about being "sick to his stomach" whenever he thinks about his ex-wife, Kim. Encore is also tarnished by the song "Crazy in Love," where Eminem talks about slitting someone's throat and then wanting to have sex with them. The chorus, "Crazy on You" by Heart, is falsely upbeat and incoherent in the context of this song.

Despite its few drawbacks, Encore is a promising album that delves into Eminem's sentiments while still keeping his distinctive, notorious, mocking tone. At times, the songs confuse listeners, but overall, the album is relatively interesting and mildly amusing to listen to.

Encore is released in music stores today, Nov. 12.