To call the Game’s major label debut, The Documentary, highly anticipated would be an understatement. With a move out of the 50 Cent playbook, Game teamed with Dr. Dre and with many other top producers to create an album with unprecedented pre-release hype.

Game intends to bring the West Coast back with this CD, and it starts off strong with the Dre- and Scott Storch-produced “Westside Story.” The identifiably Kanye track “Dreams” follows, and 50’s appearance on “Hate it or Love It” makes it one of the more catchy, radio-bound tracks. The album stays strong through the middle with “Higher,” “Put You on the Game” and “Start From Scratch.” The CD closes on a more introspective note, with the last song a reflection on his new role as a father.

The Documentary was done very carefully by the notorious perfectionist Dr. Dre, but the Game has a long way to go. Rapping for under two years, he has yet to find his own style, takes shots at rap’s punching bag, Ja Rule, and name-drops much more than is acceptable in rap.

Game claims that this album is “Ready to Die, Reasonable Doubt and Doggystyle in one.” While that is certainly far from the truth, this is an enjoyable listen with few poor tracks and some of the best production possible today.