Kid Rock – Bad Reputation (2022)

Kid Rock has been lashed out in the media as of late. From supporting Donald Trump, the hygiene of his own restaurants which resulted in it being closed down by the government and some of the rather outspoken opinions made to the public, it seems that Kid Rock was on a downward spiral of sorts. Nonetheless, after five long years of waiting, Kid Rock finally has a new album release for us to hear. Kid Rock got some attention for some of the early singles from this album, yet let’s hear this regardless and check if he still is good at making music or not.

Don’t Tell Me How To Live features Monster Truck. It begins with some unusual musicality from Kid Rock, followed by Kid Rock mouthing off and some heavy guitars. It quickly launches into an update from Kid Rock in 2022. There are more profanities and silly humour than you can count on this song. Surprisingly, it is a great mixture of appalling lyricism and good musicianship. An interesting piece with some nice singing from Monster Truck in the chorus. The midsection has some great multitracked vocals and Kid Rock returns very nicely. A ripping guitar solo is in the second half, showcasing an excellent set of musical chops that Kid Rock has. Kid Rock sings about how wonderful he is (really?) towards the end, and this song is honestly rather laughable. It ends with a slowed-down outro and some interesting organ and guitar chords. Loveable but laughable.

We The People begins with some classic rock styled drum sounds, followed by another rather terrible set of lyricism and good Rock musicianship. It is an interesting piece of music that does mention the phrase, “Let’s Go Brandon!” which is about as right-wing politically as you can get (Google that one if unsure what it is). A good piece of music that rebels against all conformity and similar mainstream outlets. It’s actually rather funny, but definitely offensive to some. It seems that Kid Rock is a bit clueless about his political points, but hey, at least he has some guts about his statements. Kid Rock hasn’t matured or changed too much since he began making music, but this is quite excellent. “It’s all for one, and one for all!” sings Kid Rock before this piece concludes with more chanting of, “Let’s Go Brandon!” by a crowd is here. Nice work, even if you don’t agree with Kid Rock’s political stance.

My Kind Of Country launches straight into it, mentioning past presidents and other normal USA based ideals. A rather cool piece about loving the USA where Kid Rock comes from, and this tune is a more normal-sounding piece, rather than ranting on about things in life. In any case, Kid Rock proves to be a good musician and singer, with a great ear for Classic Rock style music. In fact, despite his overt political views, Kid Rock is the very last of the original Rock and Rollers. This is one thing to bear in mind, he may seem like a clown, but he is actually very intelligent musically. This tune has a piano, guitars galore, pounding rhythm sections and an overall great concept musically. Kid Rock is not lying here, “My kind of country sounds a lot like Rock and Roll,” indeed. Not bad a tune.

Bad Reputation begins with some bluesy guitar chords, and Kid Rock sings more profane lyrics about him and his lifestyle. Honestly, a lot of the self-talk on this tune (and album) does wear down the listener somewhat. Despite this, this music about sounds not too distant from music back in the 1950s, just updated for the postmodern world of 2022. There is a gorgeous saxophone solo present, and this piece will definitely put a smile on your face. A really interesting tune nonetheless, this is a good piece of music that only Kid Rock could do. With some obvious drug references and a rebellious instinct, Kid Rock is still…well…Kid Rock. Even in 2022. It’s good music nonetheless. The ending is chaotic.

Never Quit begins with fiddle and acoustic guitar, before launching into a gritty, Rocking and profane tune that sound like a good mixture of old and new. The lyrics are atrocious and very, very selfish, but once again, he has a solid point about never giving up. A really interesting piece of beautifully melodic and different music, and a solid reminder to those struggling out there in our postmodern world not to give up. A really cool and okay piece of music, this is not the best song on this album, but the statement is clear. Never give up, no matter what you are going through. It ends with a beautiful fiddle section, nice work.

Shakedown features Robert James. From the outset, this one actually sounds pretty awful, even with our guest appearance. It is just horrible music that sounds really ordinary and ill-thought-out. Kid Rock knows and can do better than this awful piece of trash of a song, complete with loads of awful screaming. There is a terrible set of guitars and bass parts, and this sounds like it could have been dropped from the album. It should have, and the lyrics do not do justice either. Awful, do avoid this one if you can.

Rockin’ begins with beautiful acoustic guitar, some slide guitar and a nice, cruisy feel. This is a huge improvement over the last song, and this tune sounds like an ode to music itself. It is obviously a really good choice for a hit single of sorts and mentions some paradise-like pursuits and the people who love music in general. This is very Country music based. Despite that, Kid Rock sounds like he has made a decent and listenable tune on this album. A really beautiful tune that will make you smile, this is the more decent, sensitive side of Kid Rock which deserves more attention musically. A great singalong piece that sounds really excellent, this deserves a hearing. Good tune.

The Last Dance begins with some Fender Telecaster style clean guitar riffs, some nice drum rolls and other instrumentation that is solid ear candy. This is not dissimilar to the previous track and sounds really upbeat and romantic (which is odd for Kid Rock). It is a very nice tune to listen to and sounds a little like Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl in the verses. Despite this, Kid Rock knows how to impress his fans and even some casual listeners out there. Another thing is that Kid Rock still has quite a good singing voice, despite the fact he is a grandfather now. A beautiful and deeply loving sounding tune, this is another good listen on this album. A definite highlight of this album, this sounds super good. Catchy, all the way through to the ending. Nice work.

See You Again begins with more lovely strummed acoustic guitar, some Fender neck position guitar tones and a lovely piece of singing. Obviously, this is a great love song. Although the early part of this record was full of political tunes, these softer romantic numbers are much better listening in general. Once again, this song is very Country-Esque, but all the same, it is a good song. Understandably Kid Rock may never reach the heights of the Devil Without A Cause album, but he puts in a good effort on these songs, although not a great effort. There is a very deep and honest part as Kid Rock pleas for a lover to return in the middle of the song. This is very surprisingly honest, it sounds as though Kid Rock went through a rough time himself. The song then builds up well in the second half, playing a nice part until the end. Very emotionally naked, Kid Rock surprises his ordinary listeners out there. He chants that he will see his lover again towards the end of the song, a good job overall. It ends in a typical Rock fashion, good effort man.

Still Somethin’ begins with a basic keyboard part, some gorgeous harmonies and a sense that something different is present. Soon into it, some guitar chords and other sounds enter and Kid Rock enters his main musical mode. This is a direct ode to the older styles of Rock and Roll that have been forgotten over time, being replaced by more artificial Electronic sounds on the radio. Indeed, this is a really excellent and lively tune about the more pure nature of Rock music. A nice tune with the repeated phrase, “Keep on rocking me, baby,” before another loud and raunchy guitar solo enters. A good piece of music that has attitude, a must-hear for open-minded music fans. The song ends prematurely, before a vinyl sample that makes little sense is played. Yeah, Kid Rock can be pretty random at times.

She’s Your Baby (Now Rock Her) comes next. It begins with basic drum beats, crunchy guitars and a retro 1970s feel to the music on this song. It’s catchy and sexually driven but sounds really nicely done. This is about appreciating a lover in a very dirty way. A really cool and nicely played piece of music, this is another typical Kid Rock song that sounds really fine and excellent. A clever and unique tune, Kid Rock is back in his Early Mornin’ Stoned Pimp mode, but he does fairly well on songs such as these. A fairly routine track by Kid Rock, but enjoyable nonetheless. Rather catchy, too.

Never Enough begins with some pounding drums, before going into a strange tune that sounds weird, especially with Kid Rock singing with treated vocals. It’s pretty meh this tune, nothing too interesting or special about it. It would have been better if Kid Rock had not sounded like he is gargling water whilst singing. Regardless, the instrumentation and backing vocals are good, but this is nothing hugely special. A rather Rock style guitar solo is present, which sounds good and livens up this tune somewhat. Otherwise, fairly forgettable by this point. Kid Rock misses, rather than hits, his target here. You’ll be glad once this one is over. It ends with some rather extended guitar sustain, verging on feedback.

Everything To Me begins with some straightforward beats, followed quickly by acoustic guitar and fiddle. This is a tune about lost love and it sounds rather sad indeed. If you still miss someone you are in love with, this song makes perfect sense to listen to. Kid Rock reveals his sensitive side on this song, something we have not really seen the likes of before. This is worth hearing rather than just having the same profanity-laden attitude he typically has, and these ballads about love work very well. A very gorgeous and wonderful tune that is Country Music based, but sounds great to many ears out there. A really fine effort, this sounds like Kid Rock baring his soul for all listeners out there. A very nice Country ballad, and a better tune from this album.

Cold Beer begins with some rather bad slide guitar parts, strummed acoustic guitars and a tune that, although a nice tune, is not the best here. Still, the lyrical sentiment is a good one and is about music and drinking cold beer. This is a good memory reminder of times with Kid Rock, but apart from that, this is not as good as it could be. Again, Kid Rock discusses politics in this song, which is really not a good idea for him and his style. Still, it’s okay, just not as good as the album could be. In any case, it’s okay, but more of a miss, once again. The idea is nice, but the song is fairly ordinary. Anyway, it’s okay for what it is. A waste of time listening to this song, frankly.

Ala-Fuckin’-Bama begins with multitracked female vocals, and a cool pseudo-Country/Rock and Roll feel to this tune. This is one of the singles from the album, and it just sounds pretty good. A nice ode to Alabama itself, complete with loads of profanities galore. This is an improvement over the other songs on this album, and it sounds well played and is catchy. This one you can put on repeat. There is a roaring guitar solo around the middle of the song, which is fantastic. Cool tune, it just sounds really nicely done and is worth listening to alone. Great tune by Kid Rock. The brass section and parts towards the end are headbanging and good. Nice work you Kid.

Am What I Am is a similar sounding piece to the song before it, with some nice instrumentation and direct lyrics full of profanities. This tune is again, really quite good for what it is. A loud, energetic and wonderful piece of music with some great production. Again, Kid Rock sounds like he is a selfish and self-motivated person in this song, which is a flaw of his music. Still, this is a great listen throughout. Kid Rock sounds like he is confident with himself and his tunes, a little too much. Still, the guitar-driven music on this song is quite good.

The Nashville I Know begins with slide guitars, strummed acoustic guitars and a very Country and Western feel to the music present. This is a strange piece of music about the particular environment that Kid Rock sees to be the case in 21st century Nashville. It doesn’t sound like essential listening, and it is a very, very selfish and rather stupid statement by Kid Rock. In any case, you should probably skip this track and not hear it, it’s fairly awful. A forgettable song, do avoid this one if you can.

Fifty is the last song on this album. It begins with fiddle, acoustic guitar and has Kid Rock sings about his life. Okay, the dude singing is older, but not wiser. In any case, he delivers a laughable tune about the fact that he is totally self-obsessed. Really, the guy probably needs to re-write his songs. The fiddle solo present is quite good, followed by more profanities and interesting lyrics. Kid Rock obviously does not care what others think about him, which is exactly the point of this album, sadly. In any case, an entertaining piece, especially towards the end. A good and laughable tune to finish off the album with.

This is obviously not the greatest Kid Rock album. To be fair, there are a few songs that could have been dropped from this album for length’s sake, and others that could have been edited. Kid Rock shows that he doesn’t care about anyone else, so do take this music with a large pinch of salt. It’s good for what it is, but clearly, Kid Rock’s best days are definitely behind him. Only listen to this if you dig Kid Rock, otherwise, avoid it.

Weird music.

6/10