Kid Rock – Rebel Soul

by Chuck Dauphin

I am very much a square peg. I need to admit that, so you will believe me when I say there are few musicians that I have as much respect for as Bobby Ritchey, aka “Kid Rock.” I will never be up at 3:15 am being compared to an ‘American Bad Ass’ while singing “I’m A Cowboy.” Simply put, I like my sleep too much.  (The flip side is that I probably won’t ever be seen with one of his groupies, either – we journalists just don’t get ‘em!)

That all being said, I love the music of Kid Rock. Say what you want, but the man is not afraid to take a musical chance. I think his last album, Born Free, was one of his best. It was probably the most Country-tinged release of his career, but contained some incredible performances. And, whether it be Rock, Soul, Blues, or Country, the man is a true student of music. I’ll even go as far to say genius.

For his new album, he goes in a little more of a Rock direction, but with Kid Rock, nothing is ever exactly as it seems musically. Just when you think you have him figured out, he slips something into the track that will astonish you.

Take “God Save Rock And Roll,” for example. It’s a guitar-charged track that was meant to be played at a high volume, and much of it is that way. But, listen real close to the guitar work, danged if it don’t sound as country as anything else out there today. That Detroit swagger is all over this disc, whether it be on the full-throttle fun of “Chickens In The Pen” or the cool arrangement displayed on “Catt Boogie.”
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He talks a good talk, but as an artist, he also walks the walk. “The Mirror” is a jaw-dropping piece of work, as is “Happy New Year,” a track all about new beginnings. The latter should be a single, though lyrical content might be an issue with most stations. “Redneck Paradise” could get some of those spins at Country Radio. It’s irreverence is also a highlight.

All in all, I doubt Kid Rock is too concerned with what radio will or won’t play. He hasn’t been in the past, so why should things change? And, maybe that’s for the better…because to truly appreciate him, I think you have to come on over to his world -which is a lot more deeper than you could ever imagine. OK, all that being said, I’m going to get a Diet Pepsi, pop some popcorn, and watch my Waltons DVD’s. I told you I’m just not as wild as the crowd he normally runs with…but I can honestly tell you that I don’t appreciate who he is and what he does any less for it. He’s simply one of a kind!

For more info, log on to www.KidRock.com

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