Eminem has created a bloodbath — and now he’s happily soaking in it.
On “Relapse,” the exceptionally gifted wiseass — er, wordsmith — invites listeners on a profound tour of his twisted mind, while continuing a massive and droll assault on global icons. If you thought Slim Shady was disturbed before his 4½-year hiatus, during which he battled health issues, emotional demons and divorce, then postlayoff Eminem is off the charts.
His current single, “3 a.m.” makes his classic hit, “Stan,” resemble a comedy. The Detroit rapper spits vivid lyrics about a sleep-deprived lunatic who swings by a McDonalds to pick up some vitals and slaughters the late-night crew. He also quotes “Silence of the Lambs” cross-dresser Buffalo Bob before pleasuring himself to images of “Hannah Montana.”
It’s obvious Eminem was keeping tabs on those in the public eye even as he kept himself out of it — lyrics on “Relapse” suggest he spent quality time eyeballing headlines from Star magazine or surfing TMZ.com during his absence. After telling Jessica Simpson to sing the hook on “We Made You,” Eminem questions Kim Kardashian’s gender, gives Samantha Ronson a “2” in the looks department and offers sex to Sarah Palin.
If you’re looking for guest spots, go buy a Lil Wayne or T-Pain record. Only Dre and close friend 50 Cent (“Crack a Bottle”) make appearances.