Review Summary: Game time!
With the release of „The Documentary“, Game was at the peak of his popularity and „The Documentary“ also proved to be very successful, selling over 5 million units worldwide.Shortly after the release however Game was kicked out of G-Unit and that triggered the infamous feud between Game and G-Unit that lasts until present day but has cooled off over the years.Initially G-Unit and 50 Cent claimed that Game won’t be successful without their help and would soon be washed up.Both sides released several „diss“ records.The Game, wanting to prove that he is still able to release good music and successful album without the help of 50 Cent, G-Unit or Dr. Dre.
That album is „The Doctor’s Advocate“, released in 2006.Like he wanted to prove, the album really was a success but sold considerably less than „The Documentary“.Still worth noting that it doesn’t have any production by Dr. Dre but does have production by several other noteable producers who also worked with him on his first album like Kanye West and Scott Storch.Other producers include will.i.am, Just Blaze, Swizz Beats and couple of less known producers.The album has much more West Coast feel than The Documentary with faster beats and much deeper bass sound.Album also includes soul samples and and nice piano riffs with funk samples.
Album’s lyrics are typical to that of a West Coast album with subjects like drug use, gang violence, partying, sex and how it is like to live in a Los Angeles violent suburbs.The album’s guests also are more of West Coast artists like Tha Dogg Pound on a track „Bang“.Snoop Dogg and Xzibit are featured on „California Vacation“ and Nate Dogg is featured on „Too Much“.In any case however, albums still need that East Coast flavour and for that, Game collaborated with Queensbridge legend Nas on a track „Why You Hate The Game“.Busta Rhymes is featured on title track „Doctor’s Advocate“, a track that is made kind of like a confession and talks about Game’s troubles and explains his fall out with Dr. Dre.Also worth noting that will.i.am did not only produce for the album but was also featured on a track titled „Compton“ but Game could have done that track better solo.And lastly Kanye West is featured on a track „Wouldn’t Get Far“, that was also third single released from the album.The track itself is probably inspired by a 2Pac song „All Bout U“ and speaks of similar subjects. The Game mentions and criticizes many models and actresses of how they succeed in their business.The track itself is enjoyable and one of the best from the album.
It also does have its negative sides.The Game continues to constantly mention other rappers mostly 2Pac, Dr. Dre and the godfather of gangsta rap, Eazy-E.On some tracks Game also raps about too typical subjects of the West Coast hip hop, it’s fine and all but on a track Let’s Ride, wich is completely just a song with lyrics talking about 64 Impala.I’m not saying that track shouldn’t have been included but as a single, some other track could have done better.
Overall “Doctor’s Advocate” isn’t a bad album, at first when I got it I didn’t feel like it’s good and couldn’t listen to that much, now however it’s changed, the more I listen to it, the better it gets.These 16 tracks are certainly one of the best Game has ever recorded and put out.I’m not afraid to say that it is his best album and it’s well worth adding to your collection.If you still are sceptical then check out those tracks:
“Lookin’ at You”
“Too Much”
“Wouldn’t Get Far”
“Ol’ English”
“Bang”
“Why You Hate the Game”
