The Game: LAX [Review]

by Sean Deez on September 4, 2008

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On a message board the other day, one member listed a name of artist that he claimed were the best or whatever. Another member replied with an extremely witty remark: “What’s that, the lyrics to a Game verse?” Yeah, I laughed hard because after all, it is true. What has remained the biggest flaw of The Game remains to be his biggest, but it still is more or less his ‘thing’. I was excited to listen to his latest album, LAX, because despite all the name dropping, The Game is a fairly good artist and who knows, perhaps the drops would stop. Nope. With that said, the album named after the main Los Angeles airport displays Game’s patriotism of his city and state, as well as the general (now cliché) gangster lifestyle talk that certainly flies off of my radar.

The album starts off with an unintentionally funny intro. Let’s just say DMX is very religious. “LAX Files” is a retrospective look on the L.A. times and tribulations, but falls short of being intriguing and in depth. “House of Pain” continues DJ Toomp’s streak of straight heat and Game once again tells us about the Compton customs. Just like the past 2 Game albums, the guest appearances are heavy. Lil Wayne can’t seem to let go of the vocoder and offers a terrible chorus while Game offers probably one of his most introspective lyrical displays on the album with “My Life”.

The Kanye private jet stops in and Mr. West brings his Chicago brethren, Common, for “Angel”. The Kanye produced track is easily the standout cut on the album even though it falls far from the content and material that Game displays over the majority of the 19 track album. Common adds a great guest spot and the Gil Scott Heron sample will make you hit rewind a few times. If “Angel” isn’t the best track, then “Letter to the King” featuring Nas is. The song would fit beautifully on “Untitled” (as opposed to “Make the World Go Round”). It is a ballad for Martin Luther King Jr. that reminisces of positive African American figures and their impact from the perspectives and minds of Nas and Game. It really does hit a few strings and will leave the listener focused. Hi-Tek drops a very fitting and necessary beat; he still has the heat when he’s in that zone.

LAX is an above average album. If the comparisons start flying around, I’ll do my part and say that this is better than Doctor’s Advocate, but not better than The Documentary. This is simply because there are about 14 songs that focus on the same content and say the same thing. Sure, focusing on one topic is by no means a bad thing, but a great emcee can touch the topic from infinite angles and formulate techniques to provide uniqueness in the delivery and lyricism. Game doesn’t give that and perhaps that is why he was so acclaimed when The Documentary dropped. He is extremely introspective with his outlook on his life and his past, but he trails off and damages what could’ve been a great track. “Never Can Say Goodbye” is a great example of how Game finds himself laying a great first verse and totally losing any interest the listener had with a dull and boring second verse.

There is also no denying that by this point the name dropping is very freaking annoying. The result is laughter and chatter about how Game just dropped 5 names in 3 seconds, taking all the focus away from what probably was a great few bars. It is rumoured that this is his last album, but we all know how those retirements go, and even if it is, The Game has left a mark and really has rejuvenated the West Coast from a seemingly violent and typical subject matter to a rather expanded bunch of themes and proof that even the most hardcore of artist can be thoughtful and vigorous in their artwork. The plane is now boarding though; listen to this on your Ipod.

Overall Score: 74/100

Standout Tracks:

“Angel”

“Let Us Live”

“Letter to the King”

Related posts:

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  3. Review: Soul-Xploitation
  4. Review: The Real Testament
  5. The In Crowd: Album Review

Follow: Sean Deez on Twitter


Posted in Music Reviews

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

    For ONCE, I think you gave an album too much credit. Great review though Deez… very well thought out!

  • TFF

    Very One Dimensional Review

    I am not the biggest Game fan, but this came off as if the reviewer was out for a negative Review from the jump…..

  • Pingback: L.A.X is Not at Game’s Full Potential | Hip-Hop News: For Heads, By Heads

  • bags

    not feelin game

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

    Funny, I thought the review was too POSITIVE

  • http://www.isbjerg.blogspot.com Isbjerg

    Imma have to break in here… First, let’s put Lil Wayne on the first train to nowhere… Im barfing just by thinking of that little dwarf. Second, “Never Can Say Goodbye” is a super track, and second verse is a great piece of work with a crisp of biggie – Game’s done his homework…And third verse with eazy is to cry for…
    I wasn’t the greatest Game fan, but he’s doing his thing here..A bit too mant features, but most of them fits the tracks well…
    But a great album..

  • Thomas

    This album has grown on me, but not his best work. I think its a few song too long. Just wondering how this rated higher than Nas’s “Untitled”?

    This doesn’t seem like a 70+ album, in my opinion. I don’t have a rating for it; but doesn’t seem to meet the criteria for 70+.

    Lyrically, this album doesn’t hold up to the Nas joint. The production may be slightly better than Nas’s joint, but as I’ve stated before IMO Nas’s lyrics outshines the production just about everytime out.

    When Game is focused he has songs like “My Life” and other songs above; but when he isn’t we get “Game’s Pain” (btw wastes a good Keyshia Cole appearance) and “Touchdown”.

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    Thomas,

    While the lyrical ability of Nas is superior to Game, Game’s ear for beats in the last 5 years is superior to that of Nasir’s. And the production on the album more or less put it above Nas.

    Also, I felt that Game was fairly consistent. Like man,y I’m not a huge Game fan, but I give him his respect when it is due.

    Even though I’m a reviewer, I’m also a person, and I must say the hype and anticipation for Untitled also dropped that score down a bit

    To TFF.. I can only laugh at that. One Dimensional is only in my vocabulary when talking about posters who post one line of hate and incorrectly judge the review.

  • Thomas

    Sean

    Of course you know I disagree with your assessment, but you answered my question. Can’t be mad at that.

  • J. Wonder

    I’m a Game fan, but I was very disappointed with LAX…the name dropping is out of control even more!!! those 3 u posted are my favorite records from LAX, and I also like Touchdown that’s a pretty cool track along with California Sunshine.

  • Thomas

    I wouldn’t give Game much credit for his choice of beats over the last 5 years because 50 and Dre handled those duties on The Documentary. From my understanding of the business (outside looking in) new artist don’t have much control of anything? Someone correct me if I’m wrong. He may have had a say on his 2nd joint, but probably not much. I gotta go back and check.

    I’ll give him credit for at least 1 1/2 years, but not 5. Before I get the hate. I like Game. I think he is a good rapper.

    Anyway off topic again. Enjoyed the review.

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    Thomas, new or not new, the person rapping on the track pretty much has to have a say on the beat that is going to be rapped on. Unless it is a group or duo, a solo artist pretty much gets his choice.

    I know this as a manager of 2 producers myself, new artist especially need that choice so they can find where their upmost passion lays in the track. Of course, they can only get that passion from beats that evoke it.

  • http://myspace.com/sttress1 S.T.T.R.E.S.S.

    For what it’s worth,Deez,another superb review.It had a some what poetic flow to it.I to,felt that the Game came off better than the Nas album.I like Game,but i’m a bigger Nas head,and his joint really dissapointed me,this go round.By no means is Game more lyrically gifted than Nas,but Game’s production was better.Thomas,I have a analysis or metaphor,if you will,so bear with me a second.The Nas album is like,having to feed a child vegatables.You have to sit them still long enough and probably will have to sit there patiently,until they will at least try them,for them to actually realize that,vegatables are ok.The flipside to that is,if you feed that child something they’re used to and likes,all the time,then they will eat it up,with no hesitation,young grasshopper. LOL.For the most part,lyrically,it was hot,but for the most part,production wise,it was not.Here’s a thought,maybe if Nas had Game’s production,all that we would be talking about,for the rest of the year,is how hot that “Untitled” was.Hmmm?

    ONE!!!

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    I should’ve explained “Never Say Goodbye” better, I should’ve mentioned that his impersonation of Tupac was better than his of Biggie’s and Easy E’s…

    The album is getting a lot of spins. I’m convinced Angel is one of his best songs.

  • Thomas

    S.T.R.E.S.S. –

    I follow on your analysis/metaphor. But, after taking in Nas’s latest dish, I’m full. To me his music is for grown folks or should I say the fans that grew up with him such as myself (and you since you’re a Nas head). I expect this type of album from him. Thought provoking lyrics and a back drop that doesn’t F up the message. I have an understanding of what you’re getting at though.

    I’m a lyrics first guy so I pay attention to those first (for certain artist). Now don’t get me wrong…I like some artist who are lyrically challenged, but I listen to them for a few gems they may drop and the production, but for Nas…lyrics come first. What comes to my mind is the line that Master Killa says in “Triumph”…..”the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum” (or something like that). Now not saying you or Sean or anyone else are “dumb”, but that line made me focus or forced me to listen to what someone is saying first. It made me look at my Hip Hop differently.

    Now I like that “knock” I grew up on the boom bap….I don’t want that to be lost in all of this. I’m not saying production isn’t important, but to me an album shouldn’t be “deemed” a disappointment because it doesn’t have the “in producer” on it; likewise an album shouldn’t be deemed a “great” or “classic” album because the production is above average and they aren’t saying anything. Now you didn’t say any of the above, but just my thought about the production issue.

    The production wasn’t the “worst” I have heard. The message he is trying to convey to the listener isn’t lost within the production. Is the production on the level of “Illmatic,” “It Was Written” (which I love btw) or even “Stillmatic”…no. I think the beats/production is adequate for the message and theme that he is trying to get across. I think the theme of self awareness, issues within the black community, etc were well thought out and executed perfectly to me.

    I did not think that the hype surrounding this album was just for promotional purposes. The title did spark a lot of interest and had everyone talking, but isn’t that the point? To get people to open up dialogue about social issues, music issues, etc? This has been Nas’s M.O. since he came into the game. I think anyone who believes that need to go back in his discography and check out “Black Girl Lost,” “Ghetto Prisoners,” “I Want To Talk To You,” “God Loves Us,” “New World,” etc. These songs would fit into the theme of “Untitled”. My point in naming these songs is he has always touched on these topics with production that fit the song. Now these songs are probably not the most popular in his catalogue; but I think it shows he isn’t worried about production too much or as I’ve said before he “doesn’t care” about production; just about getting his message across. I would like to see Nas hook up with a 9th Wonder, Just Blaze, Ye (again), Alchemist (more often), Preemo/Pete Rock/Large Pro (again), but I know that isn’t going to happen. Nas is cursed by “Illmatic,” after dropping that he could only go down.

    I like The Game; I think when focused he has dropped some gems and has the potential to make a great, great album. The issue I have with him is; he is three albums deep into his career and every project he has released is feature heavy. I don’t think I can make a 80 min CD of just Game cuts (no guest). But, when I pick up a Game album I expect this and accept this fact.

    But, I think we will agree to disagree about the new Nas album and this Game release. I don’t think LAX is better than Nas’s joint. But, I respect everyone’s opinion about the topic. Dialogue is good. Love everyone’s passion about this music.

    BTW…I wish I was a “young grasshopper” or at least younger than I am. I wish I could go back about 7 years for about 3 days…..oh the fun I would have.

  • http://myspace.com/sttress1 S.T.T.R.E.S.S.

    Well Thomas, i will agree to disagree.Everything u have said,has merit.What i’m trying to get at is, you’re preaching to the choir.I’m from the old school and i know the value of good lyrics and real hip hop.At the same time,coming up,listening to the 90s hip hop,I got spoiled from hot production.You can take nearly any beat that came out in that era,and still use that track with any emcee of today.Nas is from that era,but alot of his listeners of today,all didnt come up on him,for age reasons.As for the line “the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum”,to a certain degree,that is true.You know just as well as i do,nowadays,its strickly about,whats being played behind the message,and not about the messager.It’s like what the pied piper had to do,to get the mice to follow him.Nas has a whole new generation listening to him now,and the same thing that you and i,are looking for out of Nas,is not what younger heads will be looking for.After all,he is in the business of albums sales.I really enjoy these dicussions with ya!Thomas,keep the faith,cause here on this site,were the last of a dying breed!

    One!

  • Thomas

    S.T.T.R.E.S.S.

    No disagreement with what you said. Preaching to the choir is what I’m doing. lol. I just had to get my 2 cent in on the topic!

  • http://myspace.com/sttress1 S.T.T.R.E.S.S.

    True dat!Lets do this again,sometime.LOL

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