On “Curtain Call: The Hits,” Eminem compiles the best moments of the six years since the Detroit rapper stormed into pop.
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The disc’s high points are culled from Em’s first two albums. “My Name Is” is so late ’90s with its dated pop cultural references: “I can’t figure out which Spice Girl I wanna impregnate.” But it is one of the best showcases of Em’s wicked sense of humor. “The Way I Am” is a solid display of the tense, menacing side of Marshall Mathers.
“Stan” proves that Eminem is one of the finest storytellers in hip-hop. The artist’s absolute best track is 2003’s driving “Lose Yourself,” a classic mix of all the things that make him special.
But as the collection dips into “The Eminem Show” and “Encore,” the tracks lose some appeal. “Mockingbird” and “Like Toy Soldiers” seem listless.
Three new cuts don’t hold up well, either. “Fack” is a silly, maniacal, pornographic rant. “When I’m Gone” is leaden and boring. “Shack That” is pedestrian. The bonus track, a live version of “Stan” done with Elton John at the 2001 Grammys, is pointless since the much better original with Dido also is included.
Even with 17 tracks, “Curtain Call” feels incomplete. The politically fiery “Mosh,” a highlight on “Encore,” is absent. And “Square Dance,” an odd classic from “The Eminem Show,” would have been a nice inclusion.
As it stands, “Curtain Call” succinctly shows how Eminem was never afraid to reveal various sides of his persona, no matter how twisted they seemed.