A Tribute to Chester Bennington

Today marks one year to the unfortunate and untimely passing of one of the most if not THE most legendary singer/song-writer/performer of all time, one of the co-lead of the band Linkin Park, Chester Bennington.

This is my first post in almost 3 years, and the topic being a tribute to one of my all time favorite artists, I honestly do not know how to begin or what to write for this post, but I just know that there are a lot of thoughts and emotions on my chest to offload. I started writing this post as a tribute to the band, but for some reason couldn’t get a flow. So now, here I am writing whatever comes to my mind.

Last year on 20th July, I remember reading the notification from YouTube on my phone right before going to sleep which said “Watch Linkin Park’s new music video Talking to Myself”. I kept the notification on as a reminder, so I can watch the video on my way to work the next day. I wake up on 21st July at 6 a.m., scroll to see the headlines on my phone, only to see Chester’s photo on all of them, which first got me excited thinking it was related to some major announcement and within the very next second I sank right in with this HEAVY weight building on my chest and my limbs start shivering with shock on reading the text written next to Chester’s picture on all of those articles stating “Chester Bennington – Lead singer of Linkin Park found dead”. At first I just couldn’t accept it! I thought and hoped that it was a prank while trying to scroll trough the headlines, desperately looking for that one article alerting about the fake news. And the next minute I started wishing all that to be a really bad nightmare. I still am…

Linkin Park has been a constant in my life ever since 2003 when I was first introduced to their music. I don’t remember a single day when I have not played a song, no matter which artist, and my last.fm profile is the proof that at least since the day I created my last.fm account, Linkin Park has been one of the top three artists I listen to on a regular basis.

From the moment I read about Chester’s passing, I could not pick myself listen to a song on any platform (phone/ipod/YouTube/Radio). Any song of any language being played even far away brought me to tears (might not make sense for many but was true in my case). After about a month, I just had to listen to songs. I wanted to listen to Chester’s voice. Couldn’t do it for about another week. So I decided to go back to the closest link to Linkin Park, Fort Minor. After a few days of listening to Fort Minor, I gradually started to move into Link Park songs that just had Mike rapping/singing on them. That was difficult! Another couple of days of doing that, I pushed myself to the (now) most toughest songs to listen to from the band, One More Light. Broke down again, but built the strength to be able to listen to other songs, and once I could listen to Linkin Park, I couldn’t make myself listen to anything but Linkin Park. Since August last year, till this day I have tried playing 3-4 other artists besides Linkin Park, one of which would have been a new artist for me only because Chester mentioned the band to be one of his all time favorites, Depeche Mode. The others included Dead by Sunrise, Eminem and BSB. But then I just couldn’t do it for a long time. I tried listen to other artists for a day or two but then ended up going back listening to just Linkin Park ONLY, until Mike Shinoda came along with his debut solo songs followed by the stupendous album – Post Traumatic (which helped in more ways than I could have ever imagined and can ever express). This was my journey tackling Chester’s passing over the past 1 year.

If one were to watch all the LPTV videos of the band in the process of making the songs, music videos, the pre-show rituals, the meet and greets with fans, he/she would realize how down to earth kind of a person Chester was. He seemed like a guy who knew how famous he was but always thought as if he didn’t deserve it and that he was lucky to be having the kind of fan following he and the band has, even though it is clear as sunny day as to how much each member of the band had gone through and the effort that was put in to get where they have. He was the guy who cheered everyone up, cracked jokes and did all the crazy funny things even during the moments where the band were exhausted or under a lot of pressure. He was the guy with the most excitement and energy entering and exiting the stage. He appreciated and acknowledged the love and support from the fans to such an extent that, even after breaking his ankle a few hours before a live concert, Chester denied all the suggestions to cancel the event and went on stage to perform the full 2 hours set while holding crutches under both his arms, and all of this in an era where the so-called “super stars” cancel a show just because of “fatigue” and being too exhausted to perform at their own show. Even after being one of the main reasons for the band’s unprecedented success, he never took all the fame to his head. In fact even before the band’s debut breakout successful album “Hybrid Theory”, even before the band was named Linkin Park, Chester was suggested by one of the managers to drop the founder and co-lead Mike Shinoda out of the band, so Chester can be the solo star of the band, to which Chester responded with a “Get the fuck off of here dude!”.

It was a known fact that Chester had his demons inside of him since even before he was auditioned for Linkin Park. It was the premise for many of the songs written by Mike for Chester, for example Breaking the Habit. He used to keep himself occupied with activities and commitments way more than any common person can handle, just to run away from these demons he hid inside of him. And by 2016 and early 2017, Chester was able to beyond of the darkness and even claimed during an interview that the year had been the best year for him in a long time. But the same year, just after a couple of months, Chester Bennington took his own life and died from Suicide. No one ever saw it coming. There were no indications that his family and friends could take notice of. It was almost as if even Chester himself never saw it coming since he had his schedule not just for days, but for the following months already booked! In fact he was scheduled to be at a photo shoot for their album “One More Light” on the same day. There have been pictures and videos from just hours before the incident shared by Talinda, Chester’s wife, watching which even today, no one could even imagine that the same person would end up taking his own life. Since then, there have been speculations stating that his action could have been triggered due to the sudden passing of one of his closest friends, Chris Cornell which was also due to suicide.

Today, even after a year to the unfortunate day, we have no understanding of what was going through Chester’s mind or what made him take the ultimate step. All we know is, such actions taken by individuals (not just celebrities) at that very moment, becomes an ordeal of enormous proportions not just for the family and friends of the person, but also for people and lives beyond family and friends. In Chester’s scenario, not only his wife and children were affected by the sudden decision Chester took at that unfortunate moment, not just his band mates and friends, but also the millions and millions of LP Soldiers and die-hard fans of the band from around the world (even from the places where the band has never even performed live even once). Music being music, spreads faster than wild-fire in a forest. And add a mix of meaningful relatable lyrics with 6 talented artists backing the lyrics up with unmatchable vocals, beats, guitars, keyboards and riffs, makes it faster than light!

Suicidal thoughts and depression are some of the most serious and sadly at the same time ignored facts of the modern world. To borrow words from Mike Shinoda, mental health is just like physical health. One day, you feel slightly unwell and you might want to rest for while to feel better. The next day it might get better, but if it doesn’t then you would take some known or prescribed medication to see if that helps. Next day, if it gets better with the medication then good, but if it doesn’t then you would want to go and see a doctor. Mental health must be treated the exact same way. One day you might feel low due to some reason. Try and relax and talk to someone about it. The next day if it doesn’t feel better, you should try to meet a doctor and discuss about the same and take medication as prescribed to feel better. The more one keeps mental and/physical health issues to oneself hoping for it to get better with time, the worse things get. It is always better to discuss any such matter with family, friends or close folks or see a doctor to help you feel better. There is nothing in this world big/worthy enough to give the only and at the same time short life that we have.

With all this being said, the fact remains that Chester Bennington forever will be missed and remembered. He, along with Linkin Park have been able to impart positivity across the world for so many years. Their music has helped millions of people around the world come out of their misery. We have been fortunate to be alive at a time when Linkin Park have been making and performing amazing music. I personally never got the opportunity to attend any of their live shows, but I am still more than eager and optimistic for the band to reunite and continue their journey, which would definitely be a difficult one to restart. But one thing is certain… the LP Soldiers would be waiting with our arms wide open and supporting the band at each step moving forward!

Rest in Peace Chester…

Loads of strength and support to Mike, Brad, Joe, Dave, Rob and the Bennington family.

In case you or someone you know needs support, here are some resources:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

Chester.LinkinPark.com

Southpaw – Movie Review!!!

Let me begin by saying this!!! Southpaw is simply… “Phenomenal!!!!!!!”

[Note: Everything written in the following paragraph is nothing above what has not been shown in the trailers. So skip if you will, else watch the trailer]

The movie from the get go just gets into your blood stream, giving you the feeling of being in the shoes of “Billy (the Great) Hope” played by Jake Gyllenhaal! The movie starts off with Billy being at the peak of his career as the reigning Light Heavy Weight Champion and defending his championship against another opponent. Billy has been fighting constantly for a long time and now his physical strength and swiftness has started wearing down a bit, hence Maureen Hope played by beautiful Rachel McAdams, wants Billy to stop entering fights, relax and cool down for a while. Enter Miguel ‘Magic’ Escobar, with his cocky attitude trying to get his shot at the champ, which when declined tries to get under the skin of Hope. Amidst all this, a ceremony is organized to honor Hope for his accomplishments so far, at the end of which Miguel who was present as a member in the audience, takes another cheap shot at Hope challenging for a fight, which Hope succeeds at ignoring only until Miguel shouts “I’ll take your championship and your b%#@h!” and all hell breaks loose! This is the turning point of the movie where Hope’s wife gets shot by one of Miguel’s men and the world turns up side down for Hope! He loses everything, including the custody of his own daughter! Well… wont spell out all of the details here itself.

The movie has been written wonderfully, directed amazingly and the acting is just so natural, that it just grips you in right from the first scene and keeps you seated right there till the very last-minute of the movie in awe! Apart from all of these pluses, the movie has another huge tag on its name… the ‘Rap God’ himself… Eminem! The Oscar-winning rapper has written two songs for the movie, namely ‘Kings Never Die’ and ‘Phenomenal’. The first track is the first song in the credits. The part of the movie where ‘Phenomenal’ is played, just couldn’t have been better! The lyrics and the music perfectly gel with the acting and the scene in the movie.

Rating: *****/5 (Each for Acting, Story, Direction, Efforts and off course, Music)

Watch the trailer to the movie right here!

So, if you have seen the movie let me know if you found it just as phenomenal as I did and if you haven’t, well… what are you waiting for! Watch it…NOW!

Fast & Furious 7 – Review!!!

I would like to start the review stating that “Fast & Furious 7” is a beautiful tribute to the late star Paul Walker. I actually had tears roll down my chin as the movie ended with the song “See you again”. The movie has everything. It has rib tickling funny scenes from Tyrese Gibson’s character, mouth shutting dialogues from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, stunts that would make you sit on the edge of your seats and this goes without saying, jaw dropping action scenes by virtually everyone in the movie. In one scene Dwayne actually ‘Rock Bottomed’ Jason Statham.

I will try to refrain myself from letting out any spoilers (Sorry for the ‘Rock Bottom’ spoiler above though!). The movie has everything that you would expect it should have and everything that you never thought that any movie could have! I had seen all of the trailers a minimum of 50 times each before I went for the movie, and the movie still managed to make me feel as if I was watching for the first time! I even had the dialogues by hearted from the trailers, for instance Dwayne’s “Daddy’s gotta go to work”, Tyrese’s “Can somebody just walk me through what we’re supposed to do” and Diesel’s “I don’t have friends… I got family”, but when these were said in the movie, they had so much more impact to them.

The stunts that have been performed in the movie are just stupendous, even though they defy all the laws of Newton! For instance the one where the FnF crew jump off of a plane while sitting in their cars, following which there is another amazing heart stopping stunt where Paul Walker jumps off a falling bus towards Michelle’s car which she drifts to the edge of the cliff to catch Paul!

For me personally, the movie had a huge sentimental attachment, alongside all of the stunts and action and emotions that were flowing through the movie. All for the one without whom the franchise might not have been what it is today… “Paul Walker”. The movie without a doubt would have been way better had things been otherwise, but following the unfortunate tragedy, I would say that there could not have been a better way for the movie to end and have a curtain call for the character ‘Brain O’ Conner’. And hats off to Paul’s brothers Cody Walker and Caleb Walker who helped filling in Paul’s shoes to finish a few bits of scenes that were yet to be shot by Paul.

“See You Again”

It’s a beautiful song dedicated to the late Paul Walker.

 The movie is most definitely set to break loads of box office records. It has already broken the pre booking record set by the second installment of ‘Captain America’ last year (2014).

My rating : ***** (5 Stars)

Hope you all enjoy/ed it just as much!

God Bless Paul Walker!

Furious 7!!! Looks More Furious Than Ever!

The road to Fast & Furious 7 has finally brought us to the 7th installment of the multi-million dollar franchise. The trailer to the movie which was actually slated for a release this year (2014), but due to the unfortunate passing away of the co-lead actor “Paul Walker” last year, who plays the character ‘Brian O’Conner’, has been postponed to 2015 release.

Now, I am a totally crazy fan of the Fast & Furious series, which seems to get intenser and intenser by the installment. I am also a huge fan of the late actor Paul Walker, without whom not a single movie would feel complete, Vin Diesel and Dwane ‘The Rock’ Johnson, so don’t expect any criticism what so ever in this post. And just in-case the fans thought that the franchise isn’t that star studded already, they throw in Jason Statham to the recipe! There is just no stopping these guys! And this is just the trailer, I can’t even start to wonder what the movie has in hold. The background score is well, how should I put it… just #dontdaretolistenwithoutheadsetssurroundsoundorintheatre awesome!!! Yeah go figure!

Just when you thought that you have seen it all and what more can they do, they throw the trailer on our faces and leave our jaws dug deep in the ground!

Well instead of jabbering here about it, I’d rather let you watch the trailer right here, eventhough I am pretty sure most of you have already seen it considering 4,402,978  views just hours after its release on YouTube!

Can’t wait for the movie to blow the theaters!

How to Train your Dragon 2 – Movie Review!!!

This had been one of the most awaited animated movies of this year. After the success of the first part, there were loads of expectations that were clinging on to the sequel. And i can safely say that they have stood tall to all the expectations that atleast I had from the flick. So Hickup and Night Fury are back with the rest of the Berk island members and the dragons and to describe how the adventure was this time round in one word would be “FreakingAmazinglyAwesome”!

The movie has everything that is needed to make a third movie possible. The humor, the fast paced action, the drama, the emotions and the animation… It is a complete package. The humor would make you laugh while clapping your hands, the action would push you to the edge of your seats and the emotional scenes would ring that emotional bell in your hearts. The story goes around Hickup finally meeting his long lost mother after 20 years, who he thought was actually dead, and a character named Drogo Bludvist, who unlike our hero Vikings, likes to ride and control the dragons by means of force and punishments. And so you end up having two sides to the dragons going at each other. Toothless, the beloved Night Fury has (off course) a major role to play in the movie as he discovers pretty exciting things about himself and has to go through a heck of a ride trying to protect his friend Hickup all through out the movie.

I just can’t wait for the next movie, which was confirmed back in 2010 itself and is already slated for release in 2016. I would give the movie an easy 4 out of 5 stars!!!

****/5 Hope you like it just as much!

 

Love Never Felt So Good!!! by MJ Feat. Justin Timberlake

They say that technology is taking us away from people who are near us, which might be true. But this time the same technology has been a blessing and has brought back the King of Pop in front of the world, and now it feels as if Love Never Felt So Good. The song is the first single from the legend’s 2nd posthumous album “Xscape”.

The music video has Justin Timberlake with a bunch of young  dancers, dancing the trademark steps of MJ, with widely seen and known video footage of the late star from his previous hit music videos and some other footage running in the background. The video gives a really lively feeling and can truly be called a celebration of the life of the legendary star! The song has a hint of another immensely popular song by MJ himself, “Beat It” having similar beats and music.

Watch the video right here! Hope you love it as much as I did.

Amazing Spider Man 2 – Movie Review!!!

Spidey is back and how!!! The sequel to the ‘Amazing’ Spider-Man franchise, that rebooted the Tobey Maguire’s SpiderMan series is here and has done a pretty decent job. Before starting to talk about the movie, a take on the comparison with Tobey’s version. The Amazing series is more flashy and more beyond reality kinda movie, whereas Tobey’s version used to seem more grounded and more real, even though his version of Spider Man was even more gifted with real web shooting from his wrists, unlike Andrew Garfield’s version who uses machine to shoot webs. But the way the villains and the technology itself is depicted in the Amazing series is a bit far-fetched. Moreover, the script writers have done a good  making this movie go in a bit different path, while staying loyal to the original story line. So in other words, both the series cannot be compared.

Will try NOT to make this post a spoiler for the people who are looking froward to watch the flick.

The movie has new actors joining the franchise for the sequel, Jamie Foxx as the Electro, Dane DeHan as Harry Osborn and the remaining characters from the first movie reprising their roles. Having the main villain as Electro, expect loads and loads of light shows in the movie. The writers have done a good job linking the first movie with the sequel, talking about the reality of Peter’s parents. The action sequence is off charts. The stunts and dramatic slow motions in between have been placed very well. Some of scenes felt a bit visually exaggerated though, like the scene where Spidey and Electro fight at the power station the power grids start lighting up as if they are acting like the equalizer to the background score playing. The movie does feel like it is being dragged a bit somewhere during the middle of the story but then it picks up again and runs to the end. Other than Electro, Spidey also has two other villain to fight, Green Goblin and Rhino. Rhino is hardly there in the movie though, but the evolution of Green Goblin has been shown well, as to how the hatred starts filling in Harry’s head against Spider Man and eventually his buddy Peter Parker.

The movie is a ride filled with excitement, action, drama, emotions and one heck of a light show. Would stop right here, before I spill out some important parts of the story. I would give the movie a 3 and Half stars out of 5.

***.5/5

So how did you find the movie?

 

PS: There is a scene after credits you might wanna watch out for!!!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are here!!!

Yup! After a log wait since the news was announced and after lots or should I say LOADS of speculations and risk of spoiling every boy’s childhood favorite superhero image of the mutant turtles, the trailer has finally been released by Michael Bay.

Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and Leonardo are teaming up in Michael Bay’s production “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, and this time the turtles have their eye candy April O’Neil played by the beautiful Megan Fox. And the role or The Shredder would be played by William Fichtner. By the looks of it, the trailer looks pretty darn exciting, but like they say “don’t judge a book by its cover”, never and I mean never judge a movie by its trailer. I remember during my childhood waking up at 5 am to watch TMNT on TV, and I for one can assure that I would rather have the movie not being released at all, than have the entire franchise getting ruined over some big budget live action. But then again, since it is Michael Bay’s production, I do have peaking hopes from this movie.

The movie would be released on 12th of August 2013. The first trailer was released recently. Watch it right here and decide for yourself what you feel about it.

Guilty All the Same (feat. Rakim) – Linkin Park

 

Linkin Park is coming back with a new single and hopefully a new album soon. The new single or probably just a song that the band has released on YouTube is a lyrics video named “Guilty All the Same” featuring Rakim. Having Rakim feature on a track itself would make the song heavy-duty lyrics, but listening to the music style  to me gave a hint of “Minutes to Midnight” album’s touch to it, with more live instruments and less digital tones, the kind that were used in “A Thousand Suns” and “Living Things”.

Many feel that Linkin Park is trying to go back its basics, but you never know, which new style of music is hidden up the sleeves of the band.

Listen to the song right here and decide what you feel about it.

Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP 2 – Late Review

Slim Shady aka Eminem aka Marshall Mathers aka Rap God is back and with the biggest bang ever. The album itself has been named as a sequel to his previous album which went diamond at the time of its release “Marshall Mathers LP”. This is a follow-up to Eminem’s album recovery, released in 2010. Eminem has released a combined effort with Royce da 5’9″ in the 2011 album “Hell – The Sequel”. In ‘Marshall Mathers LP 2″, the blonde haired King of mischief, Slim Shady has come back after a long time, since the album “Relapse” and Eminem seems to be stuffed up with so much of thoughts that he has broken all records of spitting out words in a rhyme, or rather to put it in his own words “Lyrics comin’ at you at Super Sonic Speed” .Time to kick off with the latest album review.

1) Bad Guy, which is a continuation or rather a sequel to the song Stan from the Part 1 album. the song is an epic example of story telling, where Matthew Mitchell is on a vengeful mission to avenge his brother’s death, by killing Eminem. The lyrics and flow are such that you can almost see the scene in front of your eyes “Surprised to see me? Cat got your tongue?… Gag, chloroform rag, gag almost hacked up a lung… Like you picked an axe up and swung… Stick to the core plan, drag to the back of a trunk… By one of your fans, irony spectacular, huh?”.

2) Parking Lot (Skit), the only skit in the entire album, which again is a continuation of the skit from the song Criminal from Part 1 of the album, going by which Eminem shoots himself in the end finding himself cornered by the cops.

3) Rhyme or Reason, is a song with Eminem dissing his dad. The song samples the song by ‘The Zombies’ “Time of Season,”. The song describes about the issues that Eminem had to go through in his life, having to lead a fatherless life. The song has an awesome mix between the “Time of the Season” song and Eminem’s rap.

(Whats your name?) Shady… (Who’s your daddy?) I don’t give a fuck, but I wonder… (Is he rich like me?) Doubt it, ha… (Has he taken, any time, to show you what you need to live?)

4) So Much Better, is about how his love ditched him for other artists in the industry and how he would be so much better if she drops dead.

5) Survival. In this song he talks about how tough the rap industry has become and only the ones who are the fittest would survive in the end. He talks about the situations in the industry being really tough and it’s not easy to survive, but also claims that even if the odds are against Em and even if he is not prepare, he would always be able to overcome the scene, come what ever may, because he knows he is says “I am an adapter and I can adjust”.

The song was released as the first single from the album and was used as a track for Medal of Honor game.

6) Legacy. The song is about Em’s legacy and how he grew up to be the legend he is today and how he was when he was growing up, all the troubles he to go through and how he realized his skills of rhyme writing could help him overcome many of his troubles.

“I used to be the type of kid that would always think the sky is falling… Now I think the fact that I’m differently wired’s awesome… ‘Cause if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be able to work Words like this and connect lines like crosswords”

7) Asshole. The song where EM proudly calls himself an asshole and claims to have come into the world when it was in need of a villain. He says that sometimes he is so much into playing his part as the villain in the world that he forgets his role as a father that he plays in his real life to two of his daughters.

8) Bezerk is the song with Slim Shady taking the rap game back to old school style of rap with boom box and old school lyrics pattern, with a good enough cut of rock, sampling  Billy Squier’s “The Stroke” and referring and mocking cultures from various walks and time. The song was released as the 2nd single from the album and the first video single.

9) Rap God. “I’m beginning to feel like Rap God Rap God” and truly does Eminem prove the line he says in the song and clears why he is indeed the Rap God. In 6 minutes Shady spills his thoughts about everything in the Rap industry, giving reference to all the Rap Legends and artists who have come and gone and gives them the credit saying that

“Me? I’m a product of Rakim… Lakim Shabazz, 2Pac, N-W-A., Cube, hey, Doc, Ren… Yella, Eazy, thank you, they got Slim”

The song is the 3rd single from the album.

10) Brainless talks about how dark and crazy is Eminem up in his head and how dangerous things can get if he goes Brainless. Well he has had similar songs back in the days, still, though it sounds rude, it feels great to have Eminem talk about his screwed up head every time.

11)  Stronger Than I Was is a reminiscent of Em’s ‘Hailie’s Song’ from “The Eminem Show” album somehow where he claims he can’t sing, but still sings and then begins rapping. Similarly, in Stronger Than I Was, Eminem sings most part of the song and then continues the song by doing what he does best… rapping. The song is about troubles between him and his partner and how he has become stronger than he was, when he was with his sweetheart before their breakup.

12) Monster is the song where the hit duo that made a single from Em’s last album “Recovery” one of the biggest hits that Em has had “Love the way you Lie”, but this time claims making friends with the Monster that;s under his bed. The song has been released as the 4th single from the album and revisits some of Em’s previous hit videos like “My Name Is”, “Lose Yourself and “The Way I Am”.

13) So Far… is a fun song, with Eminem making fun of everything other than celebs and talking about his devotion to his city which made him, drawing a sudden twist in the beats going back to ‘The Real Slim Shady” to pick the lyrics “And every single person is a Slim Shady lurking… He could be working at Burger King, spitting on your onion rings” to bring in  “Went to Burger King, they spit on my onion rings… I think my karma is catching up with me”.

14) Love Game feat. Kendrick Lamar where Eminem gives one of the funniest track ever, sampling Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders’ 1965 “Game of Love,” and this time Kendrick Lamar joining Em as his partner in crime who is just at the same level of spitting out funny lyrics.

15) Headlights feat. fun.’s Nate Ruess. Now this song is something that nobody would’ve expected, but maybe some would’ve hoped about, where Em talks about someone, who might have been mentioned probably once or twice in an album of his, not much… his mother. In all of his previous album, he has called his mother all of the abusive nouns under the sun. But to everyone’s surprise, in this song, Em apologizes to his mom and says sorry for “Cleanin’ out his Closet”.

16) Evil Twin  is a song with heavy beats and music to support, where Eminem talks about him finding it hard to find the difference between him and his evil twin which off course is Slim Shady what are the effects of the lines starting to blur.

Now to rate the album in all, I can’t even dare to give anything less than 4.5 stars out of 5. Not giving all 5 because even though the album does live up to the name “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”, I feel that Em could’ve brought up some other topics into his rap game, since there are buckets or rather pools of issues that I can’t wait to hear Eminem put out his takes on in, his own way.

Your thoughts???