Eminem Presents The Re-Up 2XLP

Album Details

What began life as an informal street mix-tape project to help launch fledgling Shady Records artists (Stat Quo, Ca$his, Bobby Creekwater, Obie Trice, and producer The Alchemist) has now become an official release. Flowing fairly randomly from track to track, the project, perhaps surprisingly for such a high profile outing, retains its original mixtape vibe. It's a thuggish and sluggish affair, led by Alchemist's somber, strong-arm beats (with additional production from Dr. Dre amd Kon Artis), and inhabited by a varied range of voices, from the Shady Records artists previously mentioned to Eminem himself (on half a dozen tracks), and appearances from 50 Cent, the recently slain Proof, and others from the G Unit crew. With so many cuts at the same tempo and with the same moody aura, it can all start to wear a little in places. Indeed, with such a wealth of up and coming talent and established personnel at work, there really ought to be more stand-outs. As it is, we get perhaps six killers (including Eminem-led cuts, "The Re-Up" and "Jimmy Crack Corn"), a disproportionate amount of fillers, and a mixtape/album that--just about--leaves a vaguely positive impression. --Paul Sullivan