Once the straight country-rock of his single "Cocky" struck a chord with the public, Kid Rock seemed more interested in filling the shoes of Southern rock pioneers Lynyrd Skynyrd than upholding his throne as hip-hop's white trash punk. His 2007 album ROCK N ROLL JESUS completes that transition. A big album that bowls straight up the middle, ROCK N ROLL JESUS is Kid's homage to the grits and gravy of classic rock, a 21st-century update of FM radio fare from the 1970s.
Gone for most part is his hip-hop posturing and in-your-face putdowns; in their place are invocations of Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Steve Miller, and the like. "All Summer Long," a bouncy, sunny tune that bears a striking resemblance to "Sweet Home Alabama," is a case in point; while "Roll On" has the smooth-rolling feel of the Eagles' early work. Rock cuts loose, to be sure, as on the head-banging "So Hott," but even these tracks are injected with a retro feel, summoning classic AC/DC more than anything from the '00's. Longtime Rock fans might miss the bad attitude, but fans of classic '70s rock should feel right at home.
Rock & Roll Jesus CD
Recording information: Blackbird Studios, Nashville, TN; East Iris Studios, Nashville, TN; The Allen Roadhouse.
Author: Kid Rock.
Photographer: Clay Patrick McBride.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Paul T. Kwami; Wesley Trigg.
Personnel: Kid Rock (guitar, acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, piano, Moog synthesizer, talk box, drums, percussion, programming); Marlon Young (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin); Al Sutton (vocals); Kenny Tudrick (guitar, drums); Jason Krause, Bobby East (guitar); Jimmie Bones (harp, piano, keyboards, background vocals); Connie Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Eberhard Ramm, Bettie Ross, Jim Grosjean, Anthony LaMarchina, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Gary VanOsdale, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen (strings); Rayse Biggs (trumpet, horns); Tim Akers (piano); Lawrence Fratangelo (drums, congas, timbales); Stefanie Eulinberg (drums, background vocals); Aaron Julison, Andre N. Jones, Barbara Payton, Karen Newman, Laura Creamer, Sylver Logan Sharp, Thornetta Davis (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Kid Rock; Rob Cavallo; Al Sutton.
Kid Rock
Rolling Stone (p.720) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]is good-hearted faith in rock & roll delivers a powerful kick....[With] roaring guitars, truckloads of attitude and an unquenchable lust for life..." Entertainment Weekly (p.73) - "The title track is a nondenominational, AC/DC-style tribute to Rock's rockingness." -- Grade: B Uncut (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he reflective moments are best, notably the infectious 'All Summer Long', which melds Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves Of London' with 'Sweet Home Alabama'..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Rock once again draws on his Michigan roots but this time crosses the tracks and tips his Fedora to Bob Seger and Motown..."
Wow.......just simply.....Wow. Easily his best CD to date. This CD stands on its own as the BEST rock and roll CD to come out in 2007.
Then, to add to that, you consider that Kid has made the transition from being a "rap" artist to being a bona fide "rock and roll" artist just makes it that much more amazing.
One small thing you will notice, you will hear some of the song structures borrow from previous Kid Rock songs but that's the only "flaw" (albeit a negligible one) I find in any of the songs.
My background in music is southern rock/classic rock. Seven years ago if you had told me I'd be blown away by a Kid Rock CD I'd laughed in your face. But he is putting out some excellent music now as evidenced by this CD.
(One other quick thing: "All Summer Long"....I love this song....can you pick out all of the "classic rock" songs which they borrow from? One is obvious but there are others. Clever and well done.) Submitted by wvfreebyrd (West Virginia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
Excellent Change!! I am a Kid Rock fan and i have just listened to this new CD and i am blowen away by it. In the past Kid Rock has had a badass rep and it fitted well, but with time everyone changes as they grow up, don't believe?? look at Christina Aguilara. I love all sorts of music genres and this CD is incredible. Submitted by meadorsmeadors (Vernon, BC.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
all summer long is plagerism at it's finest simply out and out garbage. any hack can copy 2 tunes into one (all summer long) which only proves how good the 2 original versions were. this shows how desparate music producers are and how great a length they will go to sell something. this also shows the sad state of music these days, that this garbage makes it radio and people are stupid enough to pay for it! oh, where have you gone all the great artists/songs of the 60's and 70's...:-( Submitted by baumken (ottawa canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 4 found this helpful.
good album not a bad album but definitley not kid rocks best....the songs so hott and all night long are probably the best on the album Submitted by slim (spokane, WA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Rev Rock I don't think Kid will be preaching at your local gathering place on Sunday anytime soon. This is not his best effort. I have 4 other Kid albums and to me...this will not get much playtime. Submitted by Jeff (Minnesota) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
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