My ranking of all his albums. Note: This is just my personal ranking and may differ from many.
1. The Eminem Show (10/10)
2. Recovery (9.5/10)
3. The Marshall Mathers LP (9.5/10)
4. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (9/10)
5. The Slim Shady LP (8.5/10)
6. Relapse (6.5/10)
7. Music to be Murdered By (Both Sides) (6.5/10)
8. Encore (5.5/10)
7. Kamikaze (5/10)
8. Revival (4.5/10)
9. Infinite (4/10)
Thoughts?
Marshall Matters LP is his greatest, easily. I see no argument for any other album as his #1. Artistically, commercially - MMLP was peak Eminem. The themes and tropes in that album (anger, drugs, misogyny, gay jokes) have permanently characterized his entire name and persona. You think Eminem, you think MMLP.
I go with:
1). MMLP 1
2). Eminem Show
3). Slim Shady LP
4). Recovery
5). Marshall Matters LP 2
6) 8 Mile Sountrack
7). Relapse
8). Encore
I did not bother to listen Kamikazee, Revival, Music to be Murdered by. I don't remember too much of Infinite
Yeah I definitely agree with your take on MMLP. It's a fantastic album and defines what Eminem is and all that anger/aggression carries his name in my opinion.
Also yeah if you don't bother to listen Kamikaze and beyond, I suggest you wouldn't like them anyways. They are not bad but I just don't like that he is starting this new style of modern trap. It's just not Eminem in my opinion. Regardless of that, he is still one of the best artists out there.