Rough Edge: Kid Rock CD Reviews

KID ROCK

"First Kiss" (Warner Bros; 2015)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

Kid Rock's latest offering is a chill from start to finish. He's got that southern rock'n'roll style down pat. He's real and his music, along with his lyrics, have evolved.

This is one disc you can put on and find a jam in each track. Over the years, Kid Rock has become more accessible to his fans and he's got a cool laidback vibe that most people have ... they just don't know it. There are plenty of references to drinking, smoking and spending time with friends and making memories. He's mellowed a bit but he's still Kid, Kid Rock!

Kid has also began to recline his chair toward country music a lot more. You can hear it in the songs "Johnny Cash" and "Jesus and Bocephus." Now, this isn't a slap at his previous releases and I like Kid Rock in whatever form he's bringing but some might long for "Devil Without a Cause." That's fine, go listen to that disc but Kid Rock is just chillin' on this one and you should do the same.

Kid Rock posts all the lyrics to his tracks in the liner notes of the CD. He ends with this quote: "If it looks good, you'll see it. If it sounds good, you'll hear it. If it's marketed right, you'll buy it. But ... if it's real, you'll feel it."

For more information check out http://www.kidrock.com.

"First Kiss" (Warner Bros; 2015)

Reviewed by Snidermann

I have been reviewing Kid Rock's music here since he released "Cocky" in 2001. I loved much of that release, but there were some things I did not like about it. For one thing, too many of the songs were about how much of a bad ass Kid Rock is. That, of course, was never in doubt, however I did not need to hear all about it for three songs out of a total eleven.

Now 2015’s "First Kiss" comes along and this is by far Kid Rock’s best release. The songs are extremely well-written with a title cut that will make you take a knee. The music of "First Kiss" is good, old fashioned rock'n'roll. Usually, Kid Rock puts in at least one strong rap track with the rest, but not with this recording. Mature quality song-crafting is the norm here. Kid Rock has finally grown up and put out a killer rock'n'roll release.

Kid Rock does have one of the best post break-up songs I have ever heard and that song is called "FOAD (Fuck Off And Die)." Taylor Swift ain’t got nothing on Kid Rock when it comes to letting exes know how they feel after a break-up.

First Kiss is northing short of outstanding, with hooks aplenty and killer rock'n'roll from start to finish.

For more information, check out http://www.kidrock.com.

"Rock N Roll Jesus" (Atlantic Records; 2007)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Kid Rock’s new CD has all the makings of a typical Kid Rock record. It's full of hard partying, women (strippers) and drugs. "Rock N Roll Jesus" is a thought-provoking journey into the mind of a modern, self-made rock'n'roll messenger.

The quality of the writing here is heads and tails above his previous recordings. On "Rock N Roll Jesus," Kid Rock delivers a barrage of insightful tunes that are better than just about anything out there today. The cut," Amen," is a scathing testimonial about “scumbag lawyers with agendas,” “wolves in sheep clothing pastors” and how Rock is scared to send his kids to church. The introspective "All Summer Long" touched me so much, it actually age me goose bumps.

Kid Rock’s ability to craft a quality tune has never been more evident than on this recording. Still, with all the good things about this recording, I found some things I didn't like as well. I am fully behind Kid Rock and I have been since the first time I listened to "Cocky," however, I think he cheapens the entire presentation with numerous songs about "pussy." Don’t get me wrong -- I like sex as well the next guy and, Lord knows Kid Rock likes it -- but come on. Enough is enough. Kid Rock has outstanding song writing talent -- why do I have to keep hearing songs like that?

For more information, check out http://www.kidrock.com.

"Kid Rock" (Atlantic Records; 2003)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Kid Rock's latest release, aptly self-titled "Kid Rock," is a kick-ass rock'n'roll tribute from one of today's greatest songwriting talents. Kid Rock just keeps getting better with age.

"Kid Rock," the CD, has much less of the hip hop element Kid Rock is perhaps best known for and more of a Southern rock flavor than his last two releases. Frankly, I think this is both a positive and a negative. Kid Rock's rap material was far better than most other hip hop artists out there. Still, even after only the first spin - I was aware of Kid Rock's development as a songwriter. The tunes on "Kid Rock" simply jumped right out of the CD and directly into my psyche. Not too many artists have that effect on me.

In addition to the original stuff, Kid Rock does an excellent cover of one of my all time favorite bands (Bad Company's "Feel Like Making Love") and does a song written by one of my all time favorite artists (Bob Seger's "Hard Night For Sarah"). In addition, he's joined by Hank Williams Jr. on "Cadillac Pussy" and Sheryl Crow on "Run Off to L.A." Even Billy Gibbons of that little ol' band from Texas, ZZ Top, makes an appearance here.

"Kid Rock" is full of heartfelt, ass-kicking, completely awesome rock'n'roll all about life, love, having fun, hangin' with friends, drinking beer and being yourself. Really, what more in life should there be?

For more information, check out http://www.kidrock.com.

"Cocky" (Atlantic Records; 2001)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Kid Rock may be considered just another American Bad Ass, but - after listening to "Cocky," I have come to the conclusion he is also a very talented musician who likes Southern rock, hip hop, beautiful women, beer and himself.

This shit is much more rock'n'roll than it is rap or hip hop, thank God. What surprised me most about this recording was the depth and feeling that Kid Rock exhibits in, not some, but all of his music.

I saw an interview on MTV (the "no-music television" channel) that said this release was made with more money and beer than the last, and that Pamela Anderson is Rock's new girlfriend. What a life!

"Cocky" is by no means rated anything close to PG. It is rude, crude, socially sick, and full of four letter words and sexually explicit lyrics. Just several more reasons to buy it. (There's also an edited version available but what's the point?).

Kid Rock is every person's success story: rags to riches, makes music the way he wants and says fuck you to anyone who says any different. If that's not easy to get caught up in, I don't know what is!

"Devil Without a Cause" (Atlantic Records; 1998)

Reviewed by Pud

Someone around here had to review "Devil Without a Cause" by Kid Rock and it might as well be me. I'm a pretty serious dude when it comes to "Rough Edge" music. I prefer songs with thoughtful and heavy subject matter in lyrics. So naturally, I want to hate this Kid Rock fucker, but I can't! I love this dude! He is such a parody of himself, and that totally makes him cool. Kid Rock is like a cartoon.

The three videos from this CD are raging. And so is "Devil Without A Cause." Every song on this effort kicks friggin' ass! Just straight out party tunes with potty mouth lyrics. Best line on the album - "I ain't straight out of Compton, I'm straight out the trailer." Classic.

If you don't take the songs seriously as social context (big words!), you'll enjoy the shit out of this fucking, bad ass, goddamned CD. LOTS OF NAUGHTY WORDS ON THIS ONE, KIDDIES!

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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