Metal Lungies

Does “I Need a Doctor” make up for nearly a decade of false starts? Does it live up to the endless adulation of Dr. Dre as the ultimate perfectionist? Is it the second single from an album that will revolutionize recorded music? Is it better than “Kush”?

I think it’s pretty good. Eminem and Dre try to portray Detox‘s repeated delays as a deeply personal crisis from which Em has to rescue his mentor, but Dre doesn’t play a very convincing tortured soul. He’s had his share of life troubles, but he’s happy enough to sell headphones, laptops, and Dr. Pepper. Eminem does the screaming and Dre recites a largely dispassionate third verse.

Alex da Kid’s beat is impressive. It’s in the pop/rock lane just like “Love the Way You Lie” and at the same time hard enough for Dre.

Hopefully there isn’t too much soul-searching on Detox. Dre doesn’t have a strong enough voice to tell his life story. He’s more comfortable in the producer’s chair. Or the executive producer’s chair.

Listen here.