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The Game steps out of the shadow of Dr. Dre, steps free of t

Akash | Washington, DC | 08/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The genesis of Game's career was both a blessing and a curse. He himself raps that few legacies have started "hotter than the beginning of my career/ with 50, Dre and Em there." However the helping hand would also bring persistent doubts, claims that Game's success is replicable for any rhymer who has an album of Dr. Dre's beats, 50 Cent's hooks and a track blessed by Eminem. While Doctor's Advocate was a step in the right direction, L.A.X. proves once and for all that The Game's success is defined solely by his skill.



On L.A.X. Game successfully demonstrates that he is the most legitimately hardcore rapper in mainstream hip-hop today. On "L.A.X. Files" he questions even his audience's credibility, "(expletive) think cause they watched Menace a couple of times/ Seen Cube in Boyz N the Hood and pressed rewind/ That you could survive when a real Crip run up on your car and flex the nine." The trifecta of "State of Emergency" featuring Ice Cube, " Bulletproof Diaries" with Raekwon and "Cali Sunshine" featuring Bilal are perhaps the three most classically "West coast" tracks that will be recorded in 2008. Game then demonstrates his versatility on laid back cuts including "Gentleman's Affair," "Touchdown" and "Angel," the last of which represents G.O.O.D. music at its finest with production by Kanye West and a verse from Common.



L.A.X. also proves that The Game may be the best actor in rap today. We've seen this ability through his simulated inebriation on both the title track from "Doctor's Advocate" and The Documentary's "Start From Scratch," and there was another allusion to this ability when Game presented an uncanny emulation of his mentor on "Lookin' at You." Game takes it to another level on L.A.X. He acknowledges his perfect rendition of Nas' flow on "Let Us Live," rapping "Voice raspy, who I sound like? Don't ask me/ That's my (expletive) we classy." On "Never Can Say Goodbye," he presents a verse each through the eyes of Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E and most jarringly, The Notorious B.I.G., who Game ebodies in both flow and lyrics. Game even takes a page out of Jay-Z's book on "Dope Boys," an unabashed (and inferior) interpretation of Hov's "Roc Boys."



There are weak points, notably "Letter to the King" on which Game's lack of nuance and sincerity are obvious, as is Nas' inability to "kick knowledge." However to see the strength and depth of L.A.X., one need look no further than the tracks left on the cutting room floor, any of which ("Gangsta Party" and "Cop Killa" in particular) would be the pinnacle of many of Game's contemporaries' albums. Note that I didn't even mention hit singles "My Life," or "Game's Pain," no need on an album of this strength.

"

The Game - LAX

The Genius | 08/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I would have to say im not a big fan of the mainstream hip hop that is coming out but The Game has been able to keep my attention by dropping good music and being consistent, which is the area most mainstream rappers lack in. Thank god for Game, one of the few rappers keeping the mainstream alive. Both The Documentary and The Doctors Advocate get praise from me for being enjoyable albums. Even though lyrically Game is average, his flow, voice, style and ability to make good sounding music keep me checking for his albums.



The Good:

Now on this his third album i was really surprised by a few joints and some of the guest features, like Common for example. I have been a long time fan of Common and i never would have thought that Game and Common would fit together on a track so perfectly. Raekwon also comes out and outshines Game lyrically but it still makes a dope song. I would honestly have to say Bulletproof Diaries and Angel are some of the best hip hop songs i have heard in recent years from both underground and mainstream hip hop. Other enjoyable songs would be LAX Files, Money, Never Can Say Goodbye, Letter To The King (both Nas and Game are ill here) and State Of Emergency. But i think a personal favorite would have to be Dope Boys, this track was what i wanted, a hard booming track. Lyrically i think Game lays down some nice rhymes here. But like i said before Game is average lyrically although i see some potential, seeing that he cares about the legends in hip hop and shows respect, which is where lots of new rappers lose points from me because they seem to think legends are irrelevant and worthless. But either way Game just makes "Good Music"



The Bad:

I was very upset to see people like Lil Wayne and Neyo on this album. I really enjoyed the beat and Games lyrics on My Life but i cant stand Lil Waynes voice and the hook makes this song hard to listen to for me personally. Also on Gentleman's Affair it seems like everything is watered down, although i expected this because Game always has a song from the ladies from Special to Around The World, but when i heard he had to with the second being Touchdown i was kinda mad, but im sure many people well love this track. Another problem i had was Ya Heard, Luda outshine Game which by itself is not a problem, but i thought the beat here to be terrible. Nottz really let me down. The only other problem i had was House Of Pain its to predictable although i thought the beat was ill. But when it comes to listening to this album i really only skip Touchdown, Ya Heard and Gentleman's Affair. So that's not bad considering im feelin the rest of the tracks.



A problem some may have is Name dropping and while im not a fan of that it doesn't take away from the music this time out because there are lots of great tracks. Also is it just me or did Game come out much better then 50 musically. Sure 50 made more money but Game made better music and this is all the should matter to a fan of music.



Top Tracks

Angel

Bulletproof Diaries

Dope Boys

Letter To The King

Let Us Live





Overall 3.75

"

This Game aint over...

D. Jackson | Long Beach, CA | 02/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ive always been impressed with Game's lyrical abilities, and am equally impressed with his latest offering. Not only did he manage to pull off a considerable West Coast classic, he was able to do it without the help of Dr Dre. For anyone who still enjoys MATURE rap music, this is the cd to have..."