My Definitely Biased First Impression of The Game’s L.A.X.

I like to think that The Game tries to make concept albums. Going by this theory, L.A.X. is a subliminal letter to Jay-Z. It was written with Beyonce’s lipstick, signed as “your secret admirer” and had a p.s. that read: please put the video from my Change of Heart appearance on that Summer Jam screen. Also according to this theory his last album was a letter to Dr.Dre. It was kinda like those letters that crazy ex girlfriends write after a breakup and continue to deny that there was a breakup. Much like N.E.R.D.’s “Yeah You”.

I fear that I am too harsh on The Game. I mean sure he name drops every other bar in his songs but he doesn’t constantly bombard you with metaphors and similies creating corny connections between himself and video games because of his rap name.

His album L.A.X. is named after the Los Angeles International Airport. Why? I’m not really sure. It doesn’t seem to be an acronym for anything. I would try to come up with some possible one’s but not a lot of words start with X and I’m a little tired, so I’d rather not.

The album opens up with an intro starring DMX. Or is it really DMX? You know he apparently doesn’t really know who he is anymore. He recites his boring prayers that plagued his own albums and works hard for that check The Game gave him. I rebuke this intro in the name of Jesus! Cocaine is a helluva drug. With “L.A.X. Files” The Game’s album truly begins. He brags about shooting a gun in front Lorenz Tate and tells you that the actor visited his “house, house” and sat on his “couch, couch”. He calls himself Starface too. I believe he found his inspiration in a Marvel comics waste basket.

The future spokesman for tattoo removal and the perfect example for why you should be completely sober when you get one does perform well lyrically. That should come as no surprise to anyone who listened to his previous albums, The Documentary and Doctor’s Advocate. My problem with his work is it usually feels too contrived. It seems to me that his songs always play out like a constant initiation for the “Real G’s of America” club. He always sounds like he is trying to defend his reputation and prove himself to be a true gang member that writes raps for shits and giggles. Instead he sometimes comes off as the rapper that would turn CB4 into CB5.

The Game does have some great songs on the album. His ode to Martin Luther King Jr. “Letter To The King” featuring Nas is what I consider to be the highlight even though it’s the last song. It has a soulful Hi-Tek beat that is fitting for the somber rhymes about his appreciation for those involved with the civil rights movement. It is the type of content you would like to hear him write about more often. Instead of infrared equipped guns, countless California mentions and celebrity names his lyrics should be brimming with the thoughtful introspection and creativity that he possesses.

Another example of his skill for songwriting can be found in “Never Can Say Goodbye”. A song in which he raps as 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G. and Eazy-E in their last moments. When I first listened to the track I was impressed with the accuracy The Game had when he mimiced Biggie Smalls’ flow. It is also songs like these that make you wonder why he makes empty cuts like “Touchdown” and “State of Emergency” when he is capable of so much more.

On L.A.X. some of his ideas take off and some just crash. Unfortunately the remains contained a black box that protected some of these poor attempts at filler which remained on the album. I think The Game put together a solid album which unfortunately is just solid. For me it ranks third in his body of work. Which is just another reason why he won’t retire after this album like he says he will. He can’t go out like this, out like a sucka.

Tagged as: Biased, Hate, L.A.X., The Game