Devil's Night
Eminem:  love him or hate him? It's no surprise that Slim Shady evokes such  conflicted feelings--he's easy to champion and disparage alike, and  this new D12 album doesn't make the decision any easier. Though  hip-hop's pale wonder is now joined by his five, conspicuously black  Detroit peers, this still sounds and feels like a Marshall Mathers  project. The biting disses of MTV pop figures ("Ain't Nuttin' But  Music")--still there. The dark journeys into faux psychosis ("American  Psycho," "Devils Night")--still there. The big middle finger at  conservatives, conformists, and critics ("That's How," "Purple Pills,"  "S*** Can Happen")--still there. And throw inDr. Dre's  production alongside Denaun Porter's lumbering funk tracks and Em's own  beats, and this is basically the third Eminem album. Besides, he's  still the most interesting of the six D12 members to listen to--slicker  lyrics, better flow, and just a more engaging personality. Which, of  course, is telling the listener to go to hell. Bottom line: If you  liked the last two Eminem albums, this one won't disappoint. And if you  hated the last two, at least you have the other D12 members to distract  your attention.--Oliver Wang