Music Review

04 December 2008 00:43 BST

The Game: LAX

Geffen/Interscope Records, out now.

In a nutshell…

Star-studded, name-dropping, high-concept, predictable, gangsta rap

What's it all about?

Equally as famous for his verbal spats with others in the hip-hop fraternity, the Game returns to the scene with a new 19-track album that returns to familiar territory.

Tales of the hood, beef-provoking lyrics and a smattering of California sunshine are the order of the day along with guest appearances both in front of the microphone and behind the mixing desk.

Kanye West, JR Rotem, Scott Storch, Jellyroll, 1500 and Hi Tek as well as Miami duo Cool and Dre take production credits and vocal performances from Nas, Ludacris, Ice Cube and Raekwon among others add up to a CD cover that reads like a who's who of the rap industry.

Who's it by

But taking centre stage of course is the Game. Known to his mother as Jayceon Terrell Taylor and winner of two Grammy awards for breakthrough track Hate It Or Love It, the rapper has become infamous for making enemies in the music industry.

Despite this, Game has been able to follow his 2005 debut, The Documentary - largely helmed by gangsta rap godfather Dr Dre - with 2006's Doctor’s Advocate.

Although the album was still populated by a range of guest contributors it was largely seen as Game's attempt to prove that he could succeed without the assistance of his mentor - something he achieved with aplomb.

As an example…

"Where you from? California/What City? Compton/What you drive? Impala/What you smokin on? Chronic/What you drinkin on? Petron/What you sittin on? Chrome/Relax ... make yourself at home/Welcome to Compton." – House Of Pain.

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Since his initial Grammy award-winning year, Taylor's name has featured on few major accolade lists – although critical acclaim for his work has been forthcoming and his popularity has held steady.

Continuing this trend in a year that is rumoured to hail the return of the mighty Dr Dre with his long-anticipated album Detox, will be a challenge in itself – but one the uber-confident rapper will no doubt be up for.

What the others say

"Ultimately, despite the knob-twisting, superstar line-up, LAX isn't as well-produced as The Documentary and doesn't pack nearly the punch that The Doctor's Advocate does," Johnny Firecloud – Crave Online.

"There's far more good than bad on LAX. The Game aims high on this record and by and large hits the mark," Jordan Richardson – Blogcritics Magazine.

So is it any good?

There are a number of things that are wrong with the Game. His insistence on continually name-dropping childhood idols, an obsession with Dr Dre and a lack of lyrical imagination are just some of these.

But despite this, the rapper has an impressive body of work. The Documentary was the celebration of a new talent in hip-hop and The Doctor's Advocate was an homage to his mentor that suggested the Game had more to offer.

LAX too has a number of high points. Ice Cube's appearance on State Of Emergency, for example, is enough to banish the memory of his god-awful movie career for long enough to reminisce on the G-Funk hip-hop of the early nineties.

However, the album treads a great deal water. Nothing new is said and old themes polished up with shiny new beats.

The rumour is LAX will be the Game's last album - and although this would suggest that the rapper's career is dead, it could just be in need of a visit to the doctor.

5/10

Noel Mellor

"I like The Game becouse he is my best rapper ever. We need you to be making next 3 albums, i vote for The Game." - Shafi Ali

"The new LAX album hit tha streets I had to have it - got it and I think it's a instant classic like tha other two. I can't wait to see dem numbers, I might just go pick up another one. Game don't need to retire, he's just getting started." - Philip La Baa