Kid Rock's retro-country album
First Kiss shows the Detroit singer-songwriter's evolution in not only being a straightforward country album for the most part (tackling country-rock on some tracks like "Good Times, Cheap Wine"), but it's his most country-oriented album to date.
There is some new lyrical territory explored in "Jesus and Bocephus", where he examines the positive impact The Good Book and
Hank Williams Jr. had on his life, and "Drinking Beer With My Dad" and the title track both explore introspective lyrical themes, reflecting on nostalgia as the singer reminisces about his first love and feeling young again in the title song, and on "Drinking Beer", compares the cold one he shared with his pop to sharing a beer with his own son.
"Johnny Cash" isn't about the country legend, but rather is a love song in which the singer promises to be his loved one's Cash to her June Carter. Elsewhere, there's retreads of some familiar lyrical themes like drinking whiskey and telling your ex to "*** Off And Die".
At 10 tracks and just under 45 minutes, Kid Rock is clearly trying to emulate an old school country album from the 70s. It doesn't break any new ground, but it does showcase some damn entertaining songs, and if you like Kid Rock's country side or country music in general (and a little bit of heartland rock, like the Seger-esque title track), you will have a good time with this album.
