The Invitation feat. Q-Tip: After the intro, Saigon wastes no time, starting the first verse of the album nearly 10 seconds after the beat drops. He proves that he has mastered the art of rhyming with the rhyme pattern he uses and the beat Just Blaze puts together (he handles the bulk of the production on the album) allows for the pain felt in the lyrics to really resonate with the listener. The tales of the injustices and dilemmas faced by youth in the urban city is honest to the theme throughout the album and the hook even offers hip hop fans memories of yesteryear with Q-Tip doing a spin-off of his famous outro on "Jazz" from The Low End Theory. This opens up the album nicely and tells the listener the exact message they will receive for the majority of the album. The album starts off with a 4.5.

Come On Baby feat. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz: With Saigon and Jay-Z on the same track, you would expect great things, right? Well, you get it, but you don't. While both are on point lyrically as usual, the production tends to get in the way of them just spazzing on the track. A voice interjecting "Come On Baby" every couple of bars forces the artists to incorporate the break on in their rhymes as opposed to allowing them spit 16 bars (or more) all the way through. It's not a disappointment by any means, but an emphasis on the lyrics as opposed to the song is what I'm expecting most fans would have anticipated. There isn't a "message" in it like the majority of the tracks to follow, but it is still a very solid track that will still be enjoyable for most. Overall, I'll give it a 4.25.

Bring Me Down Pt. 2: Saigon's second verse on this track is really what makes it special. Blending feelings of both pain and freedom on the same track makes for a very complex but enjoyable song. The hook may take a little getting used to, but can definitely serve as a form of motivation. Although there are only two short verses, it is the song as a whole that is supposed to provide a feeling of strength and confidence to those that are going through struggles in their life. Another verse may have done the song justice, but it still came together pretty well. It gets a 4.5.

Enemies: Another song that only features two verses, but this is probably the simplest beat to appear on the album to this point. This makes Saigon the center of attention on the track and gives the listener the opportunity to really appreciate the lyrics more than any other song to this point. Just as on the first song and at other points throughout the album, Saigon's rhyme pattern is one that is impressive every time you listen to it and is based in real content. Of course, as a fan you wish for a third verse, but the song is still a nice piece of work. I'd say it's about a 4.75.

Friends: This almost serves as the third verse to "Enemies". The same warning is given in this track as it is in "Enemies" (which is to "watch out for your friends", as it's stated in the song). Using this as the follow up to "Enemies" was clever and appropriate and avoids the feeling of this being just a loose verse. It gets a 4.5.

The Greatest Story Never Told: This is where the album elevates to another level. Not only is this a full song, but it once again puts Saigon at the center of attention and affords him the opportunity to really show who he is as an artist. Just like a number of other artists that want to preserve the essence of hip hop, Saigon attacks those that aren't respecting the hip hop game, but he does it in a way that is refreshing and avoids sounding repetitive. This is the song that gets the first 5.

Clap feat. Faith Evans: Although the song is really good, it almost feels more like an outro as opposed to appearing midway through the album. Another motivational song, Faith Evans gets a lot of solo time and is supposed to inspire those listening. The instrumental, with the clapping and Faith Evans vocals, is kind of reminiscent of another Just Blaze track "Why You Hate The Game?" from Game's Doctor's Advocate (which did actually close out the album). Saigon really shines on the track and maybe the only thing that takes away from it is the skit that sets up the proceeding song. It is just a little too long, taking away from the effect of the song. The track is self does a number of things that make it enjoyable and it receives a 4.75.

Preacher: On this track, Saigon focuses on an issue that many people are concerned with. Too often, people feel alienated by the church because they rarely see people from the church in their communities attempting to improve their situation, but they do see pillars of the church asking for money on a regular basis and at times (unfortunately) using the money they receive for personal gain. However, Saigon doesn't only attach preachers in the church, but anybody that makes promises or is supposed to support the people, but ends up not making good on what they offer. This perspective on the third verse makes for a nice twist in the song. It is a legitimate complaint and it is one before Saigon and one we will more than likely hear after him, as well. Overall, I'd give the song a 4.5.

It's Alright feat. Marsha Ambrosius: This is one of the best songs on the album. The sample is amazing and Saigon really spits in each verse. He serves up lessons in each verse and although he is not a conscious rapper, proves that he is a rapper with a conscience with lines like "Type of brotha think he righteous cuz he don't eat no ham/but he keep playin', f*ckin with some kilo grams." All the elements of a song blended together perfectly on this track. It gets another 5.

Believe It: Saigon may have rapped with more passion on this song than any other track on the album. It seems as if everything he had on his mind he laid out on this track and did everything from point out the inconsistencies in our society to acknowledge his dedication to hip hop. It is an unbelievable track that could arguably be the best track on the album. This is another 5.

Give It To Me feat. Raheem DeVaughn: This is the one song that seems like it is completely out of left-field. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised because nearly every album has one or two songs that have the rapper boasting about how much of a player he is. However, after all of the knowledge that Saigon drops throughout the album, even supporting the women in a few instances, this song comes as a bit of a surprise. Not only that, but it just doesn't seem to fit in the scheme of the album. For that reason, I have to give it only a 3.5.

What The Lovers Do feat. Devin The Dude: This is another song that may throw you off a little bit (although not as much as the one that preceded it). It just doesn't fit on the album as well as the other songs. However, you can't deny that the lyrics and having Devin The Dude on the hook are much better on here than on the previous song. I'll give it a 3.75.

Better Way feat. Layzie Bone: This is the most introspective song on the album. For all of you that are regular to the blog, you may know that introspective songs tend to be my favorite, so I really enjoyed this song. Saigon uses his life as a way of helping somebody else without preaching and puts his life in rhymes in a very quality way. The song seems a little shorter compared to some of the other ones (although it may not be). This is perhaps because it has a pretty conventional structure without any skits or long outros, but it is still very strong. I give it another 5.

Oh Yeah: This song may feature Saigon's best verse on the album. He even knows how good it is because he repeats the exact same verse again at the end of the song. The kid speaking between the verses is a clear representative of who Saigon is speaking to, about, and trying to save. This is basically the close, with the following song containing the same verse from "Enemies" (Bun B is just featured on it) and then a bonus track (which isn't covered in this review). Another 5.

And The Winner Is... feat. Bun B: This song features a previous verse and the hook from "Enemies", but also features Bun B on the track. The past few years, Bun B just continues to get better and better, and this song is no exception. His verse is just what you would expect from the veteran and make for a good remix (which is what this essentially is). This is a 4.5.

The album overall is an extremely solid effort. At times (mainly in the beginning of the album), Saigon’s lyrical expertise, but throughout the album, it is clear that Saigon is one of hip hop's treasures. He spits with passion, has content in his music, and has a flow matched by few. Saigon (at least in my eyes) is more of a rapper than he is somebody that makes songs. That's not to say that he can't, which can be proven by a number of songs on the album, but I think the album could have benefited from a few more songs that followed the typical format on a few more of the songs, simply allowing him to flex his lyrical muscle. All and all, this was a great piece of work that will definitely satisfy the fans. I'll give it an overall rating of 4.5.

What did you think about the album? What rating would you give it? What was your favorite song? Leave all of your thoughts and comments here. Of course, you can e-mail at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.

Peace.