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Reviews:
For all he's achieved on the mic, Eminem's track record as a Svengali has been spotty. The commercial and critical triumph of his protege 50 Cent has obscured the memory of projects (Xzibit, D-12) that didn't benefit as much from his golden touch. But the debut of his Detroit homie Obie Trice shows all those hours he's spent in the studio with Dr. Dre are really paying off. Cheers begins with the Midwestern G-funk Eminem rode to the top of the charts and ruthlessly refines it to its ear-grabbing essentials. Every track has a nagging string flourish or keyboard riff front and center; even the B-sides--"Sh-t Hits the Fan," yet another vicious Shady-related flaying of Ja Rule--sound single-ready. That's a good thing, since Obie himself is merely a decent MC. Lacking Eminem's nihilistic charisma or 50 Cent's bullet-riddled autobiography, the most interesting thing he has to say is the demand that his ladies "Got Some Teeth." Those low expectations are belied by the usual braggadocio--and seem quaint, compared to the domestic ugliness of "Lady"--but it's the music on Cheers that's worth raising your glass to.
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