1. Cold Wind Blows – when the intro started I jizzed…but then the beat dropped and I nearly threw up. I just can’t stand the beat, and the lyrics (while spazzin out with the wordplay) fails to deliver any real purpose other than to spit venom. However, in my opinion, Em fails to pull it off. To be honest, I found it boring. Hook was ok, but nothing impressive. It didn’t really sound new or interesting at all. Easily my least favourite song. And trust me, I gave it many listens, I tried very hard to like it, but it just doesn't work for me. I don't think it was a great choice as an opening track. With all that being said, it’s definitely not a terrible song. lol I'm gonna cop some flack for this...haha
3.5/5 2. Talkin’ 2 Myself – Kobe kills the hook, and an excellent addition by Eminem. Beat is fire. Beautifully constructed verses. A stand out track. 5/5
3. On Fire – at first, I hated this song, simply coz Em is spitting about nothing that has any real meaning. But after a few listens, I really began to enjoy the wordplay and the beat grew on me. If you find yourself in the same boat, give the song a chance, and just sit back and really take in the awesome way in which he rides the beat and spits a pair dope long ass verses on either side of a bullshit hook. 4.5/5
4. Won’t Back Down – this song I really like. I like the grittiness, and the aggression that the beat brings, and Em steps up to the plate with a slaughterhouse of wordplay. Too many standout lines too name. 4.5/5
5. W.T.P. – bit more uptempto/ party style. Upon first listen it’s alright. But Em definitely kills the verses, and hook is just too damn catchy not to like. 4.5/5
6. Going Through Changes – excellent sample. Excellent beat. Excellent verses. Excellent song. This is the type of Em I like to hear. This is the point where I think Recovery starts heating up. 5/5
7. Not Afraid – Em’s best first single. Its a very hard thing to pull off a song that is inspirational yet isn't corny. Em pulls it off beautifully. 5/5
8. Seduction – another stand out track. The beat is simple and generic, but I think that’s the kind of beat that suits Em the most. I really like the subject matter, and the hook is just brilliantly simple and effective. 5/5
9. No Love – Wayne actually delivers a decent verse, the way he finishes his verse with “no love lost, no love found” definitely stays with you. Hook is outstanding. Of course, as expected, Em proceeds to destroy the song with one of the best verses on the entire album. The only problem with the song I think is the southern style, which kinda feels out of place on an Eminem album. But this doesn’t take away from the fact that the beat is bangin’. I love how he managed to make that sample sound fuckin brilliant, compared to the original Haddaway song. Lol I won’t be able to listen to that song the same way again. 5/5
10. Space Bound – Ok, let me get this straight. This is definitely one of the best Eminem songs since he began his career. Very powerful song. I just wish Jim Jonsin produced more tracks on Recovery, that dude can make music! My personal favourite. 5/5
11. Cinderella Man – a nice simple beat. Cinde-rella man! Love it. 5/5
12. 25 To Life – Amazing. Another stand out. Even though the concept of this song has been done before, Em pulls it off very effectively. Definitely a classic. 5/5
13. So Bad – even though I have been a strong advocator of banning Dre from further production since Relapse, I found this beat to be a welcome relief. This beat feels right at home on an Em album. Great song. 5/5
14. Almost Famous – Khalil rapes the song with a crazy beat. Hook is insane. I just wish Em took a bit more of a personal approach to the concept of how he became famous. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Em still delivers a knockout blow. 5/5
15. Love The Way You Lie – I had a tear in my eye the first time I listened to this song. Rihanna provides an excellent hook, while Em proceeds to do what he does best: spit from the heart. 5/5
16. You’re Never Over – first impression of the hook (especially, the youewwww bit) I found kinda corny, but at the end of the song I found that the rawness in his voice really brings out the personal nature of this song. I give Em props for that. The last verse in this song, is my personal favourite from the entire album. Very powerful. I liked the celebration feel of the beat. I think this was the right approach for Em to take in making a dedication song to his best friend, who without him, Em wouldn’t be where he is today. Celebrate doody’s life, not morn his death. I love how the last words Em says is “Homie I’ll never forget you”. Very sad, yet positive at the same time. Brilliant. 5/5
17. Untitled – Good song. The bit at the end brings back some nostalgia of the good old days of the Eminem Show. 4.5/5
Overall: 4.8
Em definitely delivers his best album since 2002, but whether it stands up to the MMLP and TES (which is my personal all time favourite) is hard to say. Only time will tell. In my opinion, Recovery ranks among his albums as follows:
TES
MMLP/ Recovery
SSLP
Relapse
Encore
