Elvis & Eminem
From a Q&A with Robert Hilburn in the LA Times:
"Q: Sir, I've been a fan of rock music from Presley to punk, and I believe I've given all a fair listen. I can't understand how you can praise Marshall Mathers for his songs that have lyrics that seem written by an 8th-grader. (Oh, I'm sorry... he did go only to the 8th grade.) "It's your music--you want it--you need it--don't ever let it go." Robert, your taste for quality rock has seriously slipped. And as for 50 Cent... well, "I love you like a fat kid loves cake" really says it all. Quite romantic--quite profound. How do you rate Marshall's songwriting in comparison to Elvis Costello? Really now, "Cleaning out my Closet" compared to "Watching the Detectives"? Help me to understand what I'm missing? --Thomas W. Bodensick, Ocean City, Md.
"A: Thomas, I've been a fan of rock since even before Elvis (the first "rock" record I bought was "Gee" by the Crows in junior high school) through punk, and I absolutely love Eminem. Yes, I'd be so bold as to say "Cleaning out my Closet" is as good, if not better than "Watching the Detectives." I'd most certainly say "Stan" is better. And I am a huge fan of Costello. At his best, Eminem not only reflects some of the anguish and uncertainty of young people, but also the brazen defiance. Rap has been one of the most important developments in modern pop since punk. I think Run DMC, Public Enemy and Eminem, among others, will be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame some day. Also check out OutKast, which is a group that has the sonic funk explosiveness of George Clinton's best work. Trust me on Eminem. The guy is a great writer and rapper."