Kid Rock - Rebel Soul (13/04/2013)
Kid Rock has released an album every two to three years since 1990 and if there is one thing we have come to expect from him, it is a gritty mix of rock and roll guitar riffs and vocal licks mixed with country twangs. His new album Rebel Soul is no exception.
He does not try and make the world look glamorous through his lyrics. His songs are ones of dirty truths and the personal blues. If you want an artist that tells you how glamorous life is and just how wonderful it is to be rich and famous, you will have to buy another album. But if you want an album that will make you want to rock out one minute and do-se-do the next, get Rebel Soul now.
The album opens with Chickens in the Pen, which encourages the listener to ‘rock all night and then do it again’, sung in the dulcet tones of his female back-up singers. They are used on numerous tracks and give a feminine contrast to Kid Rock’s own raspy and grungy voice.
California has girls, New York has uptown grooves and in Detroit, Michigan Kid Rock sings about the thundering sound and the artists from his home state who have delivered it in song. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Slim Shady and the Supremes - the song appears as an homage to influential artists from Michigan. Kid Rock has never been shy to show his appreciation of music through his lyrics.
Mr. Rock and Roll is a tribute piece to the great rock and roll songs of 30 to 40 years ago, a time when music was simpler and the tunes were purer. The song consists of lyrics from songs including Blue Suede Shoes, Peggy Sue, Rock Around the Clock, Stairway to Heaven, Hey Jude, Proud Mary and Up Around the Bend. Kid Rock calls on Mr. Rock and Roll as a saviour because ‘these hip hop punk rock kids got no soul’.
Underneath Kid Rock’s cowboy hat lies the brain of a song writing genius. He produces clever songs, whether he is sampling from the classics or creating his own original work. The way he chooses to compile his songs is part of what makes Rebel Soul great.
You will find very few love songs on a Kid Rock album but if you’re looking for something a bit slower paced check out The Mirror, Cocaine and Gin and Midnight Ferry.
Rebel Soul provides a good driving album or Sunday afternoon chill session background music. Kid Rock fans will be impressed with his consistently good song writing skills and his influence as a producer on this album.
A general rule which especially rings true in the music world is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kid Rock’s sound works for him and I expect it will produce more great albums in the future. Only question is, can we really wait two years for it?
Nicole Barlow
Follow me on Twitter - @NicoleBarlow85
He does not try and make the world look glamorous through his lyrics. His songs are ones of dirty truths and the personal blues. If you want an artist that tells you how glamorous life is and just how wonderful it is to be rich and famous, you will have to buy another album. But if you want an album that will make you want to rock out one minute and do-se-do the next, get Rebel Soul now.
The album opens with Chickens in the Pen, which encourages the listener to ‘rock all night and then do it again’, sung in the dulcet tones of his female back-up singers. They are used on numerous tracks and give a feminine contrast to Kid Rock’s own raspy and grungy voice.
California has girls, New York has uptown grooves and in Detroit, Michigan Kid Rock sings about the thundering sound and the artists from his home state who have delivered it in song. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Slim Shady and the Supremes - the song appears as an homage to influential artists from Michigan. Kid Rock has never been shy to show his appreciation of music through his lyrics.
Mr. Rock and Roll is a tribute piece to the great rock and roll songs of 30 to 40 years ago, a time when music was simpler and the tunes were purer. The song consists of lyrics from songs including Blue Suede Shoes, Peggy Sue, Rock Around the Clock, Stairway to Heaven, Hey Jude, Proud Mary and Up Around the Bend. Kid Rock calls on Mr. Rock and Roll as a saviour because ‘these hip hop punk rock kids got no soul’.
Underneath Kid Rock’s cowboy hat lies the brain of a song writing genius. He produces clever songs, whether he is sampling from the classics or creating his own original work. The way he chooses to compile his songs is part of what makes Rebel Soul great.
You will find very few love songs on a Kid Rock album but if you’re looking for something a bit slower paced check out The Mirror, Cocaine and Gin and Midnight Ferry.
Rebel Soul provides a good driving album or Sunday afternoon chill session background music. Kid Rock fans will be impressed with his consistently good song writing skills and his influence as a producer on this album.
A general rule which especially rings true in the music world is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kid Rock’s sound works for him and I expect it will produce more great albums in the future. Only question is, can we really wait two years for it?
Nicole Barlow
Follow me on Twitter - @NicoleBarlow85