• Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Nov 14, 2006
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The Game shows lyrical improvement over his major label debut, and even though some accused him of being a "name dropper" back then and still will today, the references seem more in keeping with his "soldier of the West" philosophy and less like a filler for lack of content.
  2. The New York Times
    90
    Barring some last-minute surprise, he has made the best hip-hop album of the year. [9 Nov 2006]
  3. If anyone questioned whether or not Jayceon Taylor had what it took to stand on his own post-G-Unit, Game answers all of his critics with a resounding yes on Doctor's Advocate.
  4. For the most part Game sounds desperate, raw, and ravenously hungry.
  5. As rap music, The Doctor’s Advocate is good; as tangled psychodrama, it's better.
  6. Unbelievably, the beats on Doctor's Advocate out-bang those on The Documentary, and the Game breathes compelling detail into the severe persona he established on his debut.
  7. There's no precedent for an album that worships a no-show so hard on one hand, flips the bird to hip-hop protocol with the other, and knowingly refuses to push things forward, even flaunts it.
  8. It doesn't live up to the nihilistic brilliance of The Documentary... But [The Game] doesn't fall flat on his face, either.
  9. In spite of the bloated run time, Advocate is far stronger than it has any right to be.
  10. Ultimately, for all its naked ambition, “Advocate” ends up proving that without the guiding hand of Dre, Game can ... sound like Dre.
  11. An album that will satisfy everyone who enjoyed his debut.
  12. Mojo
    70
    This record easily beats its predecessor. [Feb 2007, p.105]
  13. There's nothing here as catchy as last year's hit "Hate It or Love It," but there's no shortage of good hooks or vigorous rhythms.
  14. The Game has a lot to prove, but rather than establishing his own style he continues in the west coast tradition, with G-funk's squealing synths and endless references to "the chronic".
  15. Billboard
    60
    Even though "Doctor's Advocate" has its failings, it's a prescription that comes recommended. [18 Nov 2006]
  16. Taylor has vastly improved as an MC since last year's "The Documentary," and though his material is still largely built around hip-hop cliches... he shows flashes of mordant wit that are as sly (and smutty) as they are surprising.
  17. Doctor's Advocate isn't really all that dire, especially if you can get past the constant--and constantly labored--airing of, shall we say, grievances.
  18. Doctor's Advocate isn't the classic that message boards are calling it, but it is a middling yet pleasurable record.
  19. Jayceon Taylor's eagerness to live down to a cartoon sketch of what a rapper should be is in danger of obscuring his very real talent.
  20. Doctor’s Advocate is essentially a long album of just okay rhymes, just okay rapping, and (without the benefit of best-of-year sublimity like Cool & Dre’s “Hate It or Love It” production) a lot of just okay beats.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 96
  2. Negative: 5 out of 96
  1. Apr 5, 2016
    9
    Doctor's Advocate was heavily slept on. It's just as good, if not better than The Documentary. The name-dropping is part of why I love thisDoctor's Advocate was heavily slept on. It's just as good, if not better than The Documentary. The name-dropping is part of why I love this album and the "I-don't-give-a-f*ck-what-you-think" attitude helps build on the intensity of his songs. Full Review »
  2. Oct 16, 2015
    10
    Great sequel to his great debut album, even with his recent departure from G-Unit, he shows a lot of lyrical improvement on the album and addsGreat sequel to his great debut album, even with his recent departure from G-Unit, he shows a lot of lyrical improvement on the album and adds even more drama to his songs. Dre isn't behind the beats, but they are still dope as ever with One blood and California vacation as my highlights of the album. Full Review »
  3. Feb 2, 2013
    10
    Best album of all time! Straight up. Better than his debut and his other releases, it deserves a better score from the critics but we know itsBest album of all time! Straight up. Better than his debut and his other releases, it deserves a better score from the critics but we know its straight fire. #StillPumpingIn2013 Full Review »