The release of the latest Eminem album can be compared to the release of the latest “Star Wars” movie. Everyone is waiting to see what George Lucas is going to do next and people can’t wait to hear what Eminem has to say next.

One thing that has always set Eminem apart from most rappers is his lyrical creativity and his unparalleled delivery, and “The Eminem Show” takes both of these talents to the next level.

Lyrically, Em lays it all out there. He expresses an array of feelings from anger and hatred to love and happiness by using catchy melodies and verses that not only express these feelings, but explain why he feels this way.

For instance, the song “Cleaning Out My Closet” is about his mother. No big surprise. But this time around, Em discusses why he hates his mom and cites examples from his past, claiming he doesn’t rag on her just to sell records.

With 15 tracks, there are plenty of topics to cover and Em does just that. His song topics range from sexually transmitted diseases on “Drips” to being a white rapper doing black music in the song “White America.” Em goes so far as to admit that he wouldn’t have sold half as many records if he was black.

In “Say Goodbye Hollywood,” he discusses how he regrets getting into legal trouble after the release of his last album, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” referring to when he pulled an un-loaded gun on a man who supposedly had kissed his then-wife Kim.

The music on “The Eminem Show” is a bit darker than Em’s earlier records, which is why the first single, “Without Me,” doesn’t fit the rest of the album – but it sure fits on “TRL.”

But what is most impressive is Em’s producing skills. With only two tracks falling into Dr. Dre’s hands, the rest of the album is all Em’s. He’s not ready to join the Neptunes or team up with Timbaland, but the way he can stretch his own talents to the limit is what makes this record so good.

He decides he wants to sing on “Hallie’s Song,” so he does. And though his singing isn’t the greatest, the feelings behind the song and the melody are what make it great.

Most of the melodies throughout “The Eminem Show” are done by Em, but on “Sing for the Moment,” the music from Aerosmith’s “Dream On” is the backdrop and Steven Tyler’s singing provides the chorus.

Nate Dogg is featured on “‘Till I Collapse”, a driving song that infects you with a head-bobbing movement. Em’s daughter Hallie appears on “My Dad’s Gone Crazy,” a rather humorous or disturbing track, depending on how you look at it.

Em finally figured out he doesn’t need shock value to sell records. His attacks on pop culture figures and homosexuals are kept to a minimum. This time, it’s his talents as a producer and an rapper that will keep Em afloat on platinum status.

– Kyle Moss