Eminem’s new album is a return to form — a better form than was evident in Relapse.

His layered rhymes are back (he incorporates “antidisestablishmentarianism” into a rap) and the crazy voices are kept to a minimum. Writing and performance finally trump spectacle, save for a few tracks tarnished by his attempts at shock.

Bottom line, I’m listening to it for a second time right now, something I could never do to Encore or Relapse. It’s worth a listen or two, but might not end up in rotation.