Eminem intersperses trademark rants with newfound sentimentality

By Cheryl Noland

Don't think for a second that controversial rapper Eminem has finally run out of things to ramble about.

He continues to run his mouth about several personal issues including his ex-wife Kim, his daughter Hailie, his mother, his "hard life" and career and of course rhyming about musicians who annoy him (such as Chris Kirkpatrick of the boy band 'N Sync and Moby).

All this and more rambunctious material wind up on Eminem's third studio album, The Eminem Show.

His new single, "Without Me," easily the most radio friendly track on the album, doesn't lyrically stray far from "The Real Slim Shady," emphasizing, among other topics, how important "Slim Shady" is for the music industry.

Crank up this song at your next party; its danceable, repetitive melody will get everyone ready to groove. But I give it one or two months before it becomes incredibly irritating.

Eminem even gives singing a try. He opens himself up on "Hailie's Song," which expresses people's misperception of him in addition to the importance of his daughter in his life. He sings, "My baby girl keeps getting older / I watch her grow up with pride / People make jokes 'cause they don't understand me / They just don't see my real side."

So Eminem really does have a sensitive side at times. Utilizing a Timbaland-type beat (think a slower version of Missy Elliot's "Get Ur Freak On") on "Cleaning Out My Closet," Eminem apologizes to his mother for hurting her and for the mistakes he has made in his life.

But worry not Em fans; his pensiveness doesn't last for long. Some of his finest tracks, such as "Business" and "Say Goodbye Hollywood" have Eminem blasting creative, if not contentious lyrics with distinctive hooks, showing that he will remain the industry's most talked about rapper. B