Kid Rock, love him or hate him. Personally, I think the guy makes some descent, catchy songs that are worth popping in a few times. Certainly not the lovable guy, nor should he be considered a role model for any young teenagers who listen to his music. Although I used to be a big fan of his music, that changed when two things happened: 1) I developed a taste for more heavier, less self-praising music and 2) I picked up this album. Now I'm not saying every Kid Rock fan would think this album is atrocious (like every non-Kid Rock fan will), cause it does have a few good tracks.
The History Of Rock, Kid Rock's first release after the success of his fourth full length album and mainstream hit
Devil Without A Cause, is basically a compilation of Kid Rock's older, more hard to find music made when he was still underage to drink and a few new songs made to relieve listeners of the Eminiem wannabe music (although ironically enough a lot of it was made before Eminem's time).
The album starts off with a voice introducing Kid Rock followed by the MC who discovered Kid Rock talking about him then followed by Kid Rock yelling "F*ck off!".
American Bad A$$ rolls in with some heavy, Metallica inspired riffs followed by Kid Rock as he pulls off his rap rock vocals talking about himself from everything about what he stands for, what he likes, what he doesn't like etc. After that the song goes into some samples taken from a popular Metallica song (not exactly sure which one). The song is typical
Devil Without A Cause material, but when compared to the songs to follow, the song is by far the best CD on the whole album. The AC/DC mimicking riffs opening
Prodigal Son basically say that the song is just some laid back rap singing and somewhat decently sung chorus. The song clocks 6:41 long, but it gets old by the 2:30 minute marker. The song would be better if they cut out everything but the singing in the chorus. Nuff said.
Paid is easily the most 'gangster' rap song on the album. The rapping is below average, the beats are somewhat groovy, but annoying after awhile, and the chorus is atrociously sung by a bunch of black women singing 'F*ck me baby' over and over in a very reggae style tune. Another long song that you just can't wait for it to end,
Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp features Kid Rock's little friend Joe C. The song contains some very annoying bass lines and more annoying rapping by both vocalists that deserves being skipped by the first minute of the song.
Dark & Grey follows with some relief, starting heavy, crunchy guitar riffs easily inspired by old school Metallica. The song has some great guitar work and is probably the furthest from rap on the album (even though rap is still shown in some of the music's breakdown). Another descent song that is worth pulling out of this compilation and putting in your own personal Kid Rock compilation if need be.
Probably the only straight and to the point rap song Kid Rock ever made that was above descent is
3 Sheets To The Wind (What's My Name?). The beats and synths used in the song are rather catchy and aside from the annoying intro with a bunch of kids yelling "Kid Rock", the song is all together rather catchy. Kid Rock really sounds young on this song, and the lyrics are actually better then his usual stuff. The only real downside is the annoying chorus of kids yelling "Kid Rock". Now it’s back to the less then average songs with
Abortion, which starts off with some rather good guitar work and somewhat descent singing. The song is not utter trash like some of the other songs on the album due to the really good guitar work on the song. The song does get rather boring after while considering not much else really happens in the song. Now it's back to utter trash with
I Wanna Go Back, with more annoying rap beats rap rhymes from the Kid that are definitely not some of his better work.
Ya Keep On is just as bad, with really loud turntables and synth beats. The rapping is more typical Kid Rock the song has no good flow and for the most part doesn't have anything catchy enough to say "Hey, this is music!"
F*ck That is probably my favorite song on the album next to
American Bad A$$. The song has more more metal inspired guitar riff and the rapping fits better. The part I like the most is the chorus, which is one of my favorite Kid Rock choruses. I personally would call this song the anthem of the young Kid Rock.
F*ck You Blind is something a bit different for Kid Rock on the album. The chorus is catchy but the lyrics are some of the worst I've ever heard (the chorus goes "I'll f*ck you blind b*tch till you just can't see no more"). The synths and beats are rather catchy on the song, and if you can forgive the horrible lyrics that could make anyone want to shove a spork in there ear, then the song is nicely done in catchiness.
Born 2 B A Hick is a quick country rock tune in which Kid Rock does more of a singing voice then actually raping the words. The song is short enough for Kid Rock to say what he needs to say and still put in some catchy guitar tunes. The last song is the epic (in length) song
My Oedipus Complex (for those who don't know the story of Oedipus, it's best you not know). The song is basically sung in a ballad rock tune that switches to a heavier rock tune after certain points in the song. The song is sung from both Kid Rock and his father's perspective. The lyrics are actually rather well written and is way better a story telling song then
Black Chick, White Guy from
Devil Without A Cause. Overall, the album has some songs that are worth taking out and listening separate from the CD if you're a fan of Kid Rock. If your not a real fan or really only like one or two songs by him, AVOID THIS ALBUM AT ALL COSTS.
Pros
-- Has some good songs on it worth listening too if you like rap rock at all.
Cons
-- Some horrible rap tunes.
-- Kid Rock seems like he's trying to copy Metallica on the 'heavier' songs.
-- Horrible lyrics.
-- It's a compilation album of old Kid Rock music.
Track Listing
1. Intro (N/A)
2. American Bad A$$ (4/5)
3. Prodigal Son (2.5/5)
4. Paid (1/5)
5. Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp (1.5/5)
6. Dark & Grey (4/5)
7. 3 Sheets To The Wind (What's My Name?) (3.5/5)
8. Abortion (2.5/5)
9. I Wanna Go Back (1/5)
10. Ya' Keep On (1/5)
11. F*ck That (4.5/5)
12. F*ck You Blind (3/5)
13. Born 2 B A Hick (3.5/5)
14. My Oedipus Complex (3.5/5)
