The Game - LAX - Los Angeles Times magazine

CoCoX · 08-26-2008, 06:51 PM

The Game L.A.X. (Geffen Records)

It's difficult for those weaned on the holy gangsta trinity of “Straight Outta Compton,” "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle" not to appreciate The Game’s perpetual nostalgia for the glory days of G-Funk. With an aesthetic tailor-made for endless drives down palm tree-lined avenues, Jayceon Taylor's hard-hitting beats make for ideal, sun-soaked California ride music.

The Game's insatiable drive for greatness has led him to recruit the best rappers and producers around, desperate to prove that he belongs. He succeeded with his first two efforts, "The Documentary" and "The Doctor's Advocate," albums that cemented his place as the lone commercially viable light repping the City of Angels during this particularly fallow decade for West Coast gangsta rap.

Blessed with perhaps the finest ear for beats among his peers and a husky, powerful rasp of a voice, the Game doesn't lack in faults. Ever-obsessive in name-dropping other rappers, this tic doesn't disappear on "L.A X.," with the Game's almost "Single White Female" obsession with Dr. Dre manifesting itself repeatedly.

The Compton-raised rapper's conservative inclination to stick to the gangsta tropes of money, drugs and guns feels limiting at times, as does the album's bloated 1-hour-and-16-minute running time. While "L.A.X." boasts several tracks too many, few remain outright duds, with the album heavily boosted by the Game's all-star squad of guest performers.

On "State of Emergency," Ice Cube's ever-aggrieved assault meshes well with the Game's ode to Los Angeles' violent underbelly, while on the single "My Life," Lil Wayne’s woozy, weary hook adds a sense of poignant urgency to the Game's tale of uplift. A Nas guest spot buoys the heartfelt, compelling civil rights anthem "Letter to the King." Elsewhere, Common, Raekwon, Ne-Yo and Ludacris turn in strong performances.

"L.A.X." might not hit the heights of its two predecessors, but it is one of the more complete and satisfying major label rap releases of the year.

-Los Angeles Times: 3/4 stars

08-26-2008, 06:51 PM	#1
CoCoX Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 645 Repped: 584 Repped 222 Times in 18 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Game - LAX - Los Angeles Times magazine The Game - LAX - Los Angeles Times magazine The Game L.A.X. (Geffen Records) It's difficult for those weaned on the holy gangsta trinity of “Straight Outta Compton,” "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle" not to appreciate The Game’s perpetual nostalgia for the glory days of G-Funk. With an aesthetic tailor-made for endless drives down palm tree-lined avenues, Jayceon Taylor's hard-hitting beats make for ideal, sun-soaked California ride music. The Game's insatiable drive for greatness has led him to recruit the best rappers and producers around, desperate to prove that he belongs. He succeeded with his first two efforts, "The Documentary" and "The Doctor's Advocate," albums that cemented his place as the lone commercially viable light repping the City of Angels during this particularly fallow decade for West Coast gangsta rap. Blessed with perhaps the finest ear for beats among his peers and a husky, powerful rasp of a voice, the Game doesn't lack in faults. Ever-obsessive in name-dropping other rappers, this tic doesn't disappear on "L.A X.," with the Game's almost "Single White Female" obsession with Dr. Dre manifesting itself repeatedly. The Compton-raised rapper's conservative inclination to stick to the gangsta tropes of money, drugs and guns feels limiting at times, as does the album's bloated 1-hour-and-16-minute running time. While "L.A.X." boasts several tracks too many, few remain outright duds, with the album heavily boosted by the Game's all-star squad of guest performers. On "State of Emergency," Ice Cube's ever-aggrieved assault meshes well with the Game's ode to Los Angeles' violent underbelly, while on the single "My Life," Lil Wayne’s woozy, weary hook adds a sense of poignant urgency to the Game's tale of uplift. A Nas guest spot buoys the heartfelt, compelling civil rights anthem "Letter to the King." Elsewhere, Common, Raekwon, Ne-Yo and Ludacris turn in strong performances. "L.A.X." might not hit the heights of its two predecessors, but it is one of the more complete and satisfying major label rap releases of the year. -Los Angeles Times: 3/4 stars __________________ Just enjoy good music, no matter who does it ;)

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