We've seen it 100 times before. A person retires and then comes out of retirement a shadow of their former self. In sports that usually means losing a step, not being as quick or as strong. It seems that in music it comes in the form of complacency. While Kingdom is not a bad album, by today's standards, when compared to Jay-Z's body of work it comes up short.

Production on the album will be hit or miss for most people. What this album tries to do is please both Jay-Z's Pop fan base as well as those HipHop heads who like there tracks a little more gritty. Producers include the always on-point Just Blaze who gets the album started off on a good note having produced 3 of the first 4 tracks. Other producers include B-Money, DJ Khalil, Scyience, Chris Martin, Kanye West, Neptunes, Dr. Dre & Swizz Beats.

Lyrically Jay-Z is still pretty much on top of his game. Songs about his return to the music scene dominate but songs like ''Minority Report'' about the Katrina fiasco in New Orleans & ''I Made It'' which finds Jay-Z reminiscing help to break it up. Stand out tracks include the Just Blaze produced ''Oh My God'' & the Scyience produced ''Hollywood'' f/ Beyonce. Guest appearances also include Chrissette Michelle, John legend, Usher, Pharrell, Sterling Simms & Ne-Yo.

Overall this album is fine, with flashes of briliance. Jay-Z probably should have stayed retired & just continue dropping a verse here & there on other peoples tracks. Maybe put out a single every couple of months. Is it worth picking up if your a Jay-Z fan? Yeah, you pretty much have to. Wether your a fan of the early works or his later stuff you'll find something on the album to like.

SonicAmp Rating: 7/10