The Game – L.A.X.

The Game, former member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit, has recently released his latest, and supposedly last album entitled “L.A.X.” The album continues on with the west coast rapper’s efforts to reinvigorate the gangsta rap genre, but somehow lacks the oomph that came with his critically acclaimed previous albums.

The album starts off with “LAX Files”, a track about how the hip hop world embraced the scene back in the late eighties when N.W.A. and other factors entered the scene. The track does give off the feel of the classic LA gangsta rap that The Game was probably going for.

A number of other big names in the hip hop scene gave a hand at creating the album, both in vocal collaboration form and in production. Dr. Dre and LL Cool J were both on deck to man the boards and produce the album. Lil Wayne also contributed to the album, lending his lyrical prowess in the song “My Life”.

Another notable track (but not totally in a good way) from the album is “Bulletproof Diaries”, a track that featured The Game with Raekwon. Although the song does have both rappers blending nicely in their exchange of lyrics, the odd horns and keyboards section paired with the electronic bleeps make it an odd track to listen to at some points.

The album does have its good parts, but there are just many questionable decisions that make you wonder if this is the way The Game would like to end his hip hop tenure. Other tracks like “Angel”, which was done with Common, and “Game’s Pain” with Keyshia Cole are good ones that are almost there, but still lack the total thump that makes for a good hip hop album.