Album Review: The Game

With Dr. Dre and Enimem spitting out more proteges in the last two years than any other rap svengali in the last 5, you would have to wonder how he maintains his success. From the chain that links Dr. Dre to Eminem to 50 cent to G-unit/Lloyd Banks/Young Buck to last but certainly not the least, the Game. Its easy to see with this album why Dre is still the doctor, because this album doesn't disappoint.

The formula that will contribute to Game's success and hopefully, his longevity, is that he is not a lyricist braggging about what he went through in his past, and how much of the shit he is that he surivived it. Instead, he takes the narrative apppoach, he not only lets his listeners know the trials he endured, he wants to paint them a picture. This is one of those few rap albums out that you actually find yourself paying more attention to the lyrics; as opposed to skipping to the next song if you don't like the first 5 seconds of the beat. For example; on track 3 Dreams, you can be sitting at your desk at work pounding on the keys until you hear the line; "I wanted to fuck Mya when I saw her ass sticking out on King Magazine talking about freaky things, now anything's possible after 50 fucked Viveca"....classic.

Although the rhymes on this album are great, because he has the great Dr. Dre guiding him along he has a lot of help. With production from Timberland, Needlez, DJ Quik, the underrated Scott Stortch, and of course the Dr., Game is able to find his flow greatly complemented without being overpowered. To me the standout track on this album has to be the obviously Eazy E influnced, "No more fun and Games", I, myself, almost fell out because I thought Eazy was going to come out the grave and spit a verse. The others are the Timberland produced, Put you in the game, Eminem produced we aint, and the Don't worry featuring Mary J. Blige. Like a lot of rappers, he has the obligitory tribute to his kid song, "Like Father, like son", but unlike other ones the Game actually makes you care about his son as much as he does.

I would like to give this no-filler, lyrically strong CD my exclusive car-ride on a long trip approval. Meaning, if you plan on driving from Mississippi to Chicago anytime soon and you forgot all of your CD's except this one, you'll be aiight....