'The Slim Shady' LP is one of those albums that you have to let grow on you. It took quite a few listens before this sunk in with me. This album isn't as catchy, or bouncy or as fun as his other stuff. Some of the tracks on this CD just get downright depressing. And that's the beauty of it. This album was written and produced before anyone knew who Eminem was (hard to believe there was such a time) and touches on some pretty heavy stuff and explores Em's very disturbed imagination. Listening to this, it is easy to see why most people hate Eminem. In the span of the album, not only does he take responsibility for the O.J. Simpson murders, but on '97 Bonnie & Clyde,' he also murders his wife with the help of his infant daughter. So yes, it's pretty sick. But that's what makes Eminem so great. He's skilled in theatrics and at times creates what can only be described as audio-horror (Note the loop used for "Just Don't Give A F..." which sounds like something straight out of the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'). Of course, not everything on here is meant to be shocking. Eminem comes across as extremely genuine on the self-describing 'Rock Bottom' and gives a little humor to a bad situation on 'If I Had.' Oddly enough, Dr. Dre only produced the three main singles off this album and they really stick out like a sore thumb. As much as I love Dr. Dre's music, you can't help but feel that this album would almost be better off without those three tracks. As it stands, this is definetly one of the best rap albums I own. It proves that rap doesn't have to be about strippers and money. Too bad most people view this as a pop album and see Eminem as some kind of comedian. Anyone who gets past the third track on this CD will see a whole new side of Eminem they never saw before.

What can I say about this CD. The term "White Rap" is a bit of an oxymoron. The sight of a white guy trying to be a rapper is usually enough to chill the blood. But look beyond the white rapper and you'll see a star in the making. Only future CDs will tell if this guy can make it into the realms of the Rapper's hall of fame. But I think he will make it. The only notable other white rap act being the Beastie Boys. Their debut album being still a favourite of mine. And much like the Beastie Boys, Eninem has taken a different approach to Rapping, that being witty, light hearted and begging to offend the easily offended. Thankfully Enimen has not tried to go down the Gangster Rapper route, as I think this should be left to such acts as Ice T, T-Pac and such, as they do it so well, and shouldn't be emulated by white rappers.

Enimem's flow in his lyric is pretty slick, with no real "cheesy" rhyming evident. And there is some real body to the words too, and they are generally funny in parts. And it must be said that he does go out to offend; though I think there is quite a bit of "tongue in cheek" going on in here. So if you don't like swearing and subject matter that is a bit sick (97' Bonnie & Clyde being one such song), maybe this isn't the CD for you. But if you find this CD offensive, I think you'll find most Rap offence, and maybe "Will Smith" is more appropriate. Though there is nothing wrong with Will's stuff, its just nice light music, you can play with the whole family around, and doesn't get the same reaction like the heavy side of rap does.

Like I've said, Enimem courts controversy. And such songs as "Role Model" is a direct challenge on that well-worn argument that "music, brain washes kids into doing things they shouldn't". But against all the potential controversial material, and swearing, this is a really funny and entertaining CD. It's one that you could play continuously, and could still find it enjoyable.

So to sum up. This is a great CD. And shows that maybe white guys can produce substantial rap music, which is humorous as well as original.

I am for the most part a very conservative person, and those who know me would probably never imagine that I am a devoted Eminem fan. When The Slim Shady LP came out in 1999, I heard a lot about it, but I had almost no exposure to the music itself. The only song I really heard at the time was the radio version of My Name Is, and that little ditty seemed to have "gimmick" written all over it. I expected Eminem to disappear from the music scene after a few months. I, like many people, was uninformed and wrongly dismissed this artist out of hand. Then, I actually listened to the man's music, and I soon realized that Eminem was in fact a musical genius. This first album is a little more bare-bones and gritty than The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show, but it is nonetheless nothing short of amazing. I am not exactly a big fan of rap or hip-hop, although I have wandered down those lanes a few times in my past, but Eminem actually transcends rap, creating a musical genre all his own that reaches out to even the most unlikeliest of places to win fans like me. Sure, the lyrics are explicit, but what I have come to realize is this: Eminem does not use the explicit lyrics to attract notoriety and sell albums; he uses explicit lyrics because he is expressing himself in a shockingly honest way, and what he gives us is his own version of truth and reality. He really does have something to say, and he says it in a way that speaks not only to the culture of the streets but also to boring conservative individuals like me.

I can't find a bad song on this album, although I'm not that fond of the Ken Kaniff sketch. Eminem does things with beats and rhymes that I have never heard anyone else do, using the very rhythm of his music as a further means of communicating his ideas and feelings. 97 Bonnie and Clyde is rightfully well-known, a song which addresses real issues that many people deal with every day; it's much more than a song about someone killing his wife. Guilty Conscience is a notable track, with Eminem and Dr. Dre playing devil and angel to folks encountering real, albeit, extreme situations. One of the greatest things about Emimen is his denial of himself as some kind of role model or superman; you can't pin him down to anything, as he shifts back and forth between a "don't do like I do" message (such as can be found in Role Model) and a celebration of the parents' nightmares he is creating. His life hasn't been easy, as he relates in Rock Bottom and further expounds upon in Brain Damage. As the World Turns is a great song with pop appeal, but my favorite has to be My Fault. Lounge, the preamble of My Fault, is just amazing because its Beach Boys-esque sound is quite unexpected and a perfect lead-in to what has to be the funniest song on the album. There's all kinds of variety here, including the designated "dance track" [Come] on Everybody. "Still Don't Give a" is the perfect ending to this emotionally complex diatribe of an album, summing up in the introductory words the very essence of Eminem.

There are many individuals who would never agree with me, but I truly think there is a little Eminem in all of us. As an introvert who tries to avoid conflict, I can't help but idolize Eminem for his fearlessness, boldness, and complete dedication to individualism. His reputation guarantees a legion of men and women who will never even consider listening to his music or consider him anything more than a moral cancer on the younger generations, but I think Eminem has already proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is a talented musician capable of influencing the music of today and tomorrow in ways that many people will probably never even realize. While I enjoy his next two albums a little bit more than this one, The Slim Shady LP serves as an absolutely crucial piece to the fascinating puzzle that is Eminem.

The first time I heard his 1st single "My Name Is" I wasn't too familar with Eminem but after buying the CD and listening to it throughly I couldn't get enough of it. With the help of D-12 (Dirty Dozen) and Dr. Dre this album is one of the best I have ever heard. The Public Service Annoucement gives you a fair warning of the lyrical excapades to come explaining that the events and suggestions that appear on this album are totally f**ked.

The infamious My Name Is is a bouncy almost pop track that will bring a smile to your face.

Dr Dre's voice has a role in this song were Em battles with his concious on weather to rob a liquor store, rape a 15 year old girl and kill his wife when she is caught cheating. Not reccomended for the shallow brained.

Along with several other interludes ans skits including the horrific 97 Bonnie and Clyde, Role Model and Just Don't give a f**k. This is a classic and deserves a spot at the front of your CD case!

I usually do not listen to rap music, however, this is among my favorite CDs. I borrowed this CD from a co-worker to listen to while I was working and found myself paying more attention to the lyrics than to the work I was supposed to be doing. Although one may find the subject matter of many of his songs extremely offensive, this CD clearly displays his extraordinary talent not only as a rapper, but as a lyricist as well. Obviously this is not a CD for young listeners, but it is one well worth the money spent for those mature listeners who can appreciate talent in the midst of potentially offensive lyrics.