THE Marshall Mathers LP seems a long time ago for Eminem.

The once upon a time Slim Shady was rightly panned for Relapse, a terribly weak album which brought an end to a five-year absence, and is clearly hoping Recovery will do exactly what it says on the tin.

There’s no magic formula in this seventh studio record.

It’s the same style that rocketed him to success back at the end of the 20th century – and it’s growing tired.

Every track comes with a parental advisory warning and, just for a change, there is cussing galore on this. Change the record.

He’s also brought in the heavyweights to give him a helping hand and, to his credit, it does give the record a lift.

Collaborations with Rihanna and Pink, in Love The Way You Lie and Won’t Back Down respectively, are among the highlights.

But, although this is a step up on Relapse, it’s still not a patch on his best work, which was edgy, provocative and always interesting. Recovery, by comparison, sounds like the rest of the crowd.