 "Photo: Artist Website")
The concept of a curtain call insinuates something has come to an end. Whether it's a play or the final scene of a movie, a curtain call brings a sense of closure.
With rumors of an early retirement for Eminem, this could, potentially be his final album. If so, his curtain call certainly leaves him going out on top.
Curtain Call: The Hits includes tracks from all four of Eminem's solo albums, ranging from 1999's The Slim Shady LP to 2004's Encore.
Eminem has become the leading rap artist of the past few years. His first three albums all won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. (Encore will be eligible for the next Grammy Awards.) This compilation disc makes it clear why.
All of Eminem's greatest hits are included on the disc, with no obvious omissions. There are also three new tracks: "Fack," Shake That," and the new single "When I'm Gone." His new single fits in well with the serious tone of arguably his best track, "Lose Yourself," and may be an omen of his retirement.
Eminem has always shifted between the serious and the more self-parodying. His more personally reflective tracks like "Stan," "Cleanin' Out My Closet," and "Sing For the Moment" are mixed in with the more energetic "The Real Slim Shady," "Without Me," and "My Name Is".
The best track on the album is the controversial live Eminem and Elton John duet of "Stan" that was recorded during the 2001 Grammy Awards presentation.
Amid rumors of Eminem being homophobic, critics were shocked to learn that he would perform his most intimate song with the openly gay John.
What resulted was one of the most well-produced duets of modern music.
This is the first album on which this track has been available. Curtain Call: The Hits is also available as a two-CD package, including a second disc, Stan's Mixtape.
This bonus CD finds the main character in the song "Stan" putting together his favorite Eminem songs.
Some of these songs - such as "Renegade" (a duet with Jay-Z) and "Dead Wrong RMX" (a duet with the Notorious B.I.G.) - have also never been available on previous Eminem albums.
For die-hard Eminem fans, and even for those who just want his greatest hits, the double CD is a worthwhile purchase.
To date, Eminem has sold more than 65 million albums and won multiple Grammy awards.
In many ways, his career seems to have nowhere to go but down if he continues. Even Encore seemed a step back from the 8 Mile soundtrack and The Eminem Show (his previous two albums).
People still want Eminem to put out the hits, but it seems hard to believe he can improve upon "Lose Yourself," which will forever be his milestone track.
If this is really Eminem's last Curtain Call, he may just be able to leave as a musical legend.
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