Critics Are Being Too Tough On Eminem’s ‘Encore’

Ken Barnes of USA Today took part in an online chat with readers and was asked about his thoughts on Eminem’s latest effort ‘Encore’. “Saleswise it’s doing OK, and airplay is growing for both ‘Mockingbird’ (although that may be over on radio pretty quick) and now ‘Like Toy Soldiers,'” Barnes said. “Critically he’s been bashed, in my opinion too harshly, as if critics feel they need to make up for praising him so lavishly on his first three albums, so they demolish this one (which I think is not an advance and a bit of a disappointment but still full of clever bits and dazzling wordplay and delivery) with sledgehammers.”

The entire chat transcript at usatoday.com has since been removed.