'The Black Album'

Jay-Z says he's retiring. I say he's a liar.

The jigga man's latest (and supposedly final) solo record is just too good to be his last. Premature retirement doesn't happen that often in the rap game, and although The Black Album would be a great way to cap off his impressive run as the finest above-ground MC of his day, it's too good to not leave you wanting more. And if there's one thing Jay-Z is best at, it's giving the people what they want.

The Black Album isn't exactly long on humility, but it doesn't matter; the sheer volume of great tracks here proves pretty much every one of Jay's claims. "Encore" is just crazy; it's a scattered, horn-driven track that shouldn't work as well as it does. "99 Problems" is straight-up genius, pairing a huge Rick Rubin beat with a very on-point Mr. Carter. "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" is Timbaland doing what he does best, and the gritty "Threat" throws Jay's angry rhymes against a hilarious rant courtesy of Cedric the Entertainer. That's really why The Black Album works so well; even with all the to-do about him leaving the business, Jay finds a way to never take himself too seriously, and if he is going out, he's going out with style.

"Change Clothes" might be the worst Neptunes track yet, and Jay doesn't really do much to save it. And, as with all Jay-Z records, there's a couple lines that'll have you wondering what exactly he was thinking ("rap's Grateful Dead"?). But these are The Black Album's only real weak spots, and with everything else here, they're easy to forgive. The bottom line remains, The Black Album is a landmark, and if you love hip-hop, make this yours.

-- Reviewed by Paul Thompson