Three years ago, Jay-Z released The Black Album as his final project before retiring to the managerial side of things. Hova left on top, sold Roc-A-Fella Records for a startling $10 million and became president and CEO of Def Jam - reaping the benefits of such artists as Young Jeezy and Ne-Yo. Jay-Z should be living the good life right about now and enjoying his time away from the game, right?

Wrong. The king has stepped down from his throne and pulled his jersey from the rafters, returning with a new album titled Kingdom Come - the same way DC Comics heralded the return of Superman.

Despite first week sales of 680,000 and his concert feat of hitting seven cities with his Hangar Tour in a 24-hour span, Jay-Z's reviews have been lackluster, to say the least. Longtime fans have turned their backs to Mr. Carter for what has been called the biggest disappointment since Blueprint 2. Is the album really as bad as everyone says - even Raekwon the Chef took shots at Jigga, calling his album wack and his style commercial - or are they all just exaggerating?

Well, it is and it isn't. There's no getting around the fact that the album is a big disappointment for the many fans who have been following Jay's progression as an artist since Reasonable Doubt in 1996. For an MC of his standing, much is expected, and he just doesn't get it done - a large chunk of the album doesn't represent the hip-hop hero's conscious style of rapping. The man takes risks and tries some new things, but, for the most part, they fall short.

Still, Jigga has released some quality tracks, and there is nothing better on this album than the production, with the majority of input coming from Dr. Dre. Other notable contributors include Just Blaze, Kanye West and The Neptunes.

The prelude is true H.O.V., reliving memories of drug deals and treating rap like a business. "Prelude" also deals with Jay's mindset about returning, with "I used to think rappin' at 38 was ill / but last year alone I grossed $38 mil/ I know I ain't quite 38, but still/ the flow so special got a .38 feel/ the real is back." And despite the constant criticism he's received for it, one of the best tracks on the album is "Beach Chair," which Jay-Z worked on with Coldplay's Chris Martin. The mysterious echoing sound of bells behind heavy drum beats and violins gives Jay-Z a Coldplay style of his own. The message behind the song is even deeper as Jay's angels ask him: Even with all the money he's stacked, is he really happy?

Kingdom Come is a step above November's other albums (Game, Snoop) in the way it reflects a grown man's maturity and emotion. Jay really wasn't kidding when he said he was getting his grown man on. "Lost Ones" is especially touching because he's able to speak about his split with his co-partners of Roc-A-Fella Records without starting a slew of beef songs. He speaks just as maturely when talking about his temporary break-up with long-time love Beyonc