Marshall Mathers is the first pop-music genius of the 21st century.  Ever since "The Slim Shady LP", this exhibitionist with a heart of gold has been carving out his own artistic territory - a kaleidoscopic synthesis of music, poetry, suffering, bad potty training, bad relationships, and above all, theater.  In the context of the stage show - look at the cover:  MM on stage in front of a closed curtain; now you see him, now you don't - this album is an a report from the field, so to speak, of the evolving Slim Shady/Marshall Mathers/Eminem personna, which is, after all, the slippery subject of all the art (is it enough to call it music?). So if you're new, don't start here.