Spring Break
The Game: Just What The Doctor Ordered
CD Review
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Focus
It's been about two years since the self-proclaimed "Compton's Most Wanted" released his debut album and revitalized a dying West Coast rap scene like never before. Now The Game returns with his newest work, "Doctor's Advocate."
The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, a former gangbanger who turned to rap after being shot five times and left for dead, was discovered by rap legend Dr. Dre after he had heard a mixtape of his freestyles. Shortly after, Dre took him under his wing and "The Documentary" was made.
"Doctor's Advocate" gets its name from the man that inspires The Game the most, Dr. Dre.
"I'm the reason Dre feels comfortable retiring," he raps on the track "Compton," which features, and was produced by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. The song is one of the best on the album and sports a beat that can only be described as a "gangsta boogie."
"Lycanthrope" which mixes fast paced drums, hard riffs and lyrics that make Hoppus seem as if he has been left behind in the ashes of Blink.
"I'm searching hard for a sign from heaven / but they've forgotten me here," he sings.
"Baby Come On" is the first time we hear the new sound of + 44, with an intro that sounds more like Outkast's, "Miss Jackson," combined with a fast paced chorus of huge drums and fast guitars. The title track, also the first single, "When Your Heart Stops Beating,"leaves more to be desired on this album. Although a fast paced, catchy anthem, this song is overproduced and the lyrics seem to drag on, lacking the ability to connect with the rest of the album in what seems to be an attempt at pulling in some of music's mainstream fans.
A standout track on the disc is "Little Death," which really separates this band from the Blink of old days. This song encompasses the sound + 44 was trying to achieve with a synthesized / electronic introduction that brings about the huge chorus, "Fall asleep with the windows open/ Come to me with the worst you've said and done / You'll close your eyes and see me / A little death makes life more meaningful."
The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, a former gangbanger who turned to rap after being shot five times and left for dead, was discovered by rap legend Dr. Dre after he had heard a mixtape of his freestyles. Shortly after, Dre took him under his wing and "The Documentary" was made.
"Doctor's Advocate" gets its name from the man that inspires The Game the most, Dr. Dre.
"I'm the reason Dre feels comfortable retiring," he raps on the track "Compton," which features, and was produced by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. The song is one of the best on the album and sports a beat that can only be described as a "gangsta boogie."
"Lycanthrope" which mixes fast paced drums, hard riffs and lyrics that make Hoppus seem as if he has been left behind in the ashes of Blink.
"I'm searching hard for a sign from heaven / but they've forgotten me here," he sings.
"Baby Come On" is the first time we hear the new sound of + 44, with an intro that sounds more like Outkast's, "Miss Jackson," combined with a fast paced chorus of huge drums and fast guitars. The title track, also the first single, "When Your Heart Stops Beating,"leaves more to be desired on this album. Although a fast paced, catchy anthem, this song is overproduced and the lyrics seem to drag on, lacking the ability to connect with the rest of the album in what seems to be an attempt at pulling in some of music's mainstream fans.
A standout track on the disc is "Little Death," which really separates this band from the Blink of old days. This song encompasses the sound + 44 was trying to achieve with a synthesized / electronic introduction that brings about the huge chorus, "Fall asleep with the windows open/ Come to me with the worst you've said and done / You'll close your eyes and see me / A little death makes life more meaningful."
Be the first to comment on this story