The Bottom Line
The return of Eminem could be an exciting event if he had anything to say that was worth hearing. With "Crack a Bottle" it seems that misogyny, braggadocio, and money are all that three of the most celebrated names in hip hop have left. Crack a bottle? It seems more appropriate to toss it aside and move on to listen to something more interesting.
Pros
- Mildly catchy
Cons
- Tired rapping on misogyny, bragging, and cash
- Slow, dull gangsta beat
Description
- Written by M.Mathers, C.J.Jackson, Jr., A.Young, D.Parker, M.Batson, E.Coomes, T.Lawrence, and J.Renard
- Produced by Dr. Dre
- Released February 2009 by Aftermath / Shady
Guide Review - Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent - "Crack a Bottle"
"Crack a Bottle" has broken the record for the most first week digital downloads. 418,000 copies of the new single were sold in one week. Clearly, an audience is out there waiting to hear the next efforts from Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent. It's unfortunate this is all so underwhelming. Past returns by Eminem have included the tour de force humor of "Without Me." Nothing here is likely to make a listener crack a smile.
"Crack a Bottle" does have a familiar, swaying beat that is likely to be accepted favorably in a party atmosphere. The voices of Eminem and 50 Cent remain distinctive enough that fans will rush to celebrate their collaboration. However, digging back into their past catalogs will yield significantly more rewarding treasures.
Storytelling is lacking here. The bragging is delivered without a hint of wit or irony. The attitude here is that the music world will drop to its collective knees in awe of the return of three heavyweights. After listening again to lines about mindless women, car crashes, and spending money like it means nothing, I am left with the thought that perhaps we would be in awe if there was something here just a bit more weighty.
