After a few spits and spats with the likes of G-Unit, Ja Rule and 50 Cent, The Game has released his third solo album, LAX (Geffen).

To start things off, nothing sets the mood for a serious rap album quite like an uplifting, inspirational prayer performed by DMX.

Yes, that would be the same DMX who reached his peak in 1999 with songs such as “Party Up (Up In Here)” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.”

The intro quickly becomes repetitive as the line, “Devil, we rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” is shouted over and over.

After the seventh and, thankfully, final time DMX allows these words to lurch from his mouth, it seems obvious that The Game would have been better off skipping the intro to his album all together.

Luckily, the rest of the album escaped DMX’s hands and, more importantly, his prayers. The Game begins to redeem himself on the second track.

With the help of recently successful and current artists, The Game manages to produce a relatively good collection of music.

It should be no surprise that “My Life” featuring Lil Wayne, is one of the best songs.

Lil Wayne must have the magical touch; everything he touches seems to turn into gold these days. The Game’s words paint a picture with inspiring detail while Lil Wayne meshes the chorus seamlessly between each verse.

Also, Ludacris leaves a good mark on “Ya Heard.” A catchy beat, lyrics and originality all play a part in making the song a success. At the conclusion of the song, when The Game raps, “my verses are hot as shit like I recorded with the devil,” he isn’t telling a lie. Ludaris and The Game’s collaboration is a fresh hit for the rap scene.

Other contributing artists include Ice Cube, Ne-Yo, Common, Travis Barker and Keyshia Cole. This is slightly predictable but, overall, a respectable line up.

“Gentleman’s Affair” featuring Ne-Yo is a bit misleading but not a total write off. An applied definition of the word “gentleman” must be up in the air.

The rappers’ terminology and references do not fall under a typical gentleman’s vocabulary, but there are exceptions for everything.

Instead, a good majority of the song is dedicated to describing certain late night activities in terms not usually associated with gentlemen. That being said, the lyrics and beat are catchy. They just might improve a man’s swagger.

Far more memorable is “House of Pain.” The lyrics will have you singing along. The Game has produced something greater than a song this time; he created an anthem.

The Game has proven himself on this album with one problematic exception: DMX reappears in the outro. Apparently the introductory prayer wasn’t enough. DMX had a few more recitations of “in the name of Jesus” left in him.