Eminem can be downright offensive and filthy, at least at first listen.  His first couple albums were pretty harsh and unapologetic but they were masterful in many ways.  The Eminem Show is a culmination of this Detroit-raised hip-hop lyricist angst met with an incredible production element that gives every song huge legs.  It's not just about the rhymes Em is spitting on each track, it's about the hook in the music.  The Marhsal Mathers LP might be looked at as his biggest turning step forward as a rapper, but as an artist with enormous reach The Eminem Show is perhaps the most classic album he's ever put forth.  On a personal note, this album was and still is one of my favorites of all time.  I spent considerable time in high school and college playing the album from start to end.  "Business" "Sing For The Moment", "Till I Collapse", and "Cleaning Out My Closet" are masterpieces without all relying on "hype-ism" or a cheap catchy hook.  If you haven't given this album a listen, you need to.