Search - The Game :: The Documentary (Compton Collectors Edition CD+ DVD)

This is beyond anything I expected.

Ahmad Jordan | Bufalo, NY United States | 01/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to give credit where credit is due. Game had an uphill battle from day one. I'm sure any star will testify that the problem with starting at the top is that almost everybody is waiting for you to fall instantly to the bottom. With Dre underscoring his credibility, Game's inherent buzz quickly became a "hype" and raised the pressing question of NOT wether he could meet our expectations but rather if he could EXCEED them. Let's face it. That's what the critics, and perhaps some buyers, are all waiting for: To have their expectations blown out of the water.



Well...here's one vote that he did it. And this is coming from one wary and reluctant buyer. To be quite honest, my radar was honing more on Dre and his label than the Game himself. As the mastermind behind everything that leaves the Aftermath, I was scared that maybe Aftermath was on it's way to becoming an After Thought (like DeathRow). I think many will agree that rap has become painfully redundant, uncreative and unoriginal. Outside of the actual CD was an overwhelming amount of evidence that Game was doomed to the same tired pseudo-thug content of so many other rappers - many of whom represent Dre's label.



Of course, Game does in fact deliver the same old West Coast Game of low-riders, chronics, loose women, sneakers, guns yada, yada, yada. It wouldn't be Game without it. But where I have to give him mad credit is that the tone of his lyrics seems to give the Gangster Lifestyle a 3-Dimensional view and he masterfully gives us a glimpse of all angles. Some of the songs on here have a regretful tone that is probably more accurate of real gangsters than the pro-violent atitude exemplified by our vinyl thugs of past. No doubt, this more complex position is borrowed more so from Ice Cube and 2Pac (who borrowed from Cube and Ren) than any of the other legends that Game acknowledges as his primary source of inspiration. And while Gangster Rap initially was morally cluastrophobic and grimmy like the NWA Straight Outta Compton Album, Game manages to maintain this feeling (as promised) as well as give us more uplifting and maybe even hopeful tracks. One track involves Game's voice cracking as if he's fighting back painful thoughts and regrets - a very clever delivery since the song itself is about all the things he would change, if he could change them.



And then there's the beats. The beats are just incredible on this Album and stop just short of overshadowing Game's delivery. The Documentary is the best title for this album because so many of the tracks on this Album are cinematic in tone. "Dream", produced by Kayne West, is nothing short of a masterpiece. And "Church for Thugs", produced by Just Blaze is possibly the strongest production on this whole album.



And I can't end this without giving a nod to the man who blueprinted this album. I must say that I was a little sad that Dre covers less than half of the musical output of this album. I was a little more sad when I had to admit to myself that many of the Guest Producer beats top some of Dre's beats. But if anything it only further underscores Dre's immaculant ear for amazing material and his maturity for allowing that material to come before his own (no doubt he produced several tracks that he himself edited out from the final album). And as Executive Producer of this Album, Dre has orchestrated a CD that is even better than 50's "Get Rich..." and far better than Eminem's Encore - both great albums in their own right. And where Drei is a true genius is that he seems to have added sounds for every listener from every corner of America, just to make sure that this West Coast Ressurection isn't exclusive to just the West Coast. And finally, "Higher" and "Start from Scratch" are among the most memorable tracks on this CD. "Higher" is just downright infectious and so full of adreniline that it almost promotes violence without any lyrics laced on top of it.



Without a doubt, Aftermath is still on track and if they continue to put out this level of rap, they might possibly dominate the airwaves of 2005. If nothing else, it could breathe some much needed life into rap.



Consider this one a classic."

Mind your own business...

R. Lawson | Nebraska | 01/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Please tell me why anybody who was not looking forward to this CD would even review it? If you weren't looking forward to it, of course you are going to say only bad things about it. "I want some heavy metal rock." Then why the hell were you listening to "The Documentary?" You don't even have to be necesarilly looking forward to it, but at least go into it with an open minded attitude. It's stupid for people to bad mouth these albums when they know nothing about it. The Game's debut CD is awesome, and "Hate It or Love It" is incredible.

You have to appreciate the things The Game said about his past life, about how he only did what he did because it was a last resort. I give him mad respect for that, because while all of these other Ja Rule's and whoever else are out glorifying the thug life, The Game is being real: nobody wants to live that way, and if they say they do, it's just to look hard. The Game isn't putting up a front, and he's just being honest. Plus, you gotta give him some love for the line about Mariah Carey..."

The West Has Returned

Anthony | T-Dot, ON CAN | 03/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Game is strictly aftermath now, and has been kicked out of the G Unit clique. 50 said Game didn't fit in, in the fist place.



Anyway, COMPTON IS BACK! The second the bell rang on the day of release, and school was let out, I was on the bus, getting myself to the mall. I got the CD, and instead of wandering the through mall, I went straight home to listen to this long anticipated CD.



After listening to the CD from beginning to end, it occurred to me that The Game has exceeded all expectations for his first release. His lyrics touch many different aspects, and the DVD was even worth watching.



I wasen't really following his underground scene, but I heard some mixtapes, and built the hype. This CD is something special and shows you the true essence of Hip-Hop. He was able to get big names for this project. He had 50 on 3 tracks, Nate Dogg on 2 tracks, Faith Evans, Marsha of Floetry, Tony Yayo, Mary J. Blige and Aftermath labelmate, Busta Rhymes. And he even got big-name producers like, Kanye, Just Blaze, Timbaland and of course Dre and Em.



There are no stand out songs on this CD, because all the songs are fire. Probablly the best tracks are "Hate It ir Love It", "Dreams", "Starting from Scratch" and "Like Father, Like Son".



"Hate it or Love It" (feat. 50) talks about the struggle of growning up in a tough neighbourhood where almost every road you cross is potentially the wrong one. "Dreams" (produced by Kanye West) is about the event-filled road he has taken to get this far and his inner thoughts about his future. "Starting from Stractch" (feat. Marsha) is when Game opens up and expresses his feelings to this point in his life, while reflecting on the past. He asks many "what if" questions and this is proablly the deepest song on the CD. "Like Father, Like Son" (feat. Busta) is about the birth of his son and he gives you an in-depth look on his perspective and feelings during the situation.



Even the DVD is hype. The DVD is on the REAL. The Game is a gangsta. This DVD shows you what Game had to deal with when he grew up in a crip/ blood neighbourhood. On one chapter is shows his boy Billboard rappin' beside him. Then on the next chapter, it shows Billboards funeral. That just goes to show you how real the streets are. A lot of people can relate to loosing someone close. R.I.P Billboard.



The Game constantly refers to artists wh inspired him. He always talks about Easy E. (and NWA), Biggie, 2Pac and Jay-Z and how they affect his career. The Game's lyrics are thought out and intelligent. They make you feel that you relate to his point of view in certain situations and he incorperates a realness to his rhymes.



Overall this is an amazing CD. If you don't have this CD then you don't have sense. If you don't have it by now COPP IT NOW!!!





*.ps. ... Peace to Jay-Z. I know Game didn't mean it, Jay should let it go. Jay is the GREATEST to do it!.. Welcome Back!"