Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Kid Rock maintains a remarkable propensity for wearing his contradictions on his sleeve, and more than anything he's previously released, Rock n Roll Jesus finds fuel in unresolved opposites. Is he a hard-core chauvinist ("Half Your Age") or a would-be gentlemen ("When U Love Someone")? Is he a God-fearing everyman ("Blue Jeans and a Rosary") or a bohemian hero ("So Hott")? These questions are nothing new, even if the album at hand takes them to freshly delirious extremes. Ever since he first began shedding his rap/rock posture to be the next Ted Nugent, Kid Rock has constructed his public persona out of full-frontal ambivalence: race, class, sex, religion, money, whatever it takes. This album's bookends--the title song and "bonus" track, "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)"--demonstrate all this irreconcilable nonsense in no uncertain terms, but all his polar wobbling is at least stabilized by a firm commitment to southern-styled rock, tinged at times with gospel, blues, a lingering need to rap ("Sugar"), and a rare, soul-fed instrumental jambalaya ("New Orleans"). In the end, Kid Rock may be a remarkable self-promoter, but a musical Messiah he is not. --Jason Kirk People en Espanol
Pareciera que Kid Rock esta madurando, en Rock and Roll Jesus ha dejado atras al tipico rockero que se conformaba con escandalizar, y se ha atrevido a navegar las aguas de otros generos como el country y el blues en canciones como "New Orleans" y "All Summer Rock," ademas Rock se ha olvidado del hip-hop, hoy denuncia la muerte absurda de soldados en Irak y el racismo. Pero no crea que el musico se ha convertido precisamente en un santo, el disco incluye canciones poderosas como "So Hutt" que es puro rock o "Half Your Age" en la que no es secreto que vuelca todas sus frustraciones por haber perdido a Pamela Anderson. En la cancion el dice que ahora tiene una chica mas joven y mas hot. En suma Rock and Roll Jesus es un material mucho mas maduro, pero si quiere escuchar al Kid Rock escandaloso y despreocupado de antes quiza no sea buena idea comprarlo. Por el contrario si le gusta el hard rock de los anos 70 y el country, este es un album que le gustara. --Ernesto Sanchez (People en Espanol  )
Amazon.com
Rock Is Back. After 22 million records sold in the US and a three year hiatus, Kid Rock is back with the brand new album 'Rock N Roll Jesus'. Kid Rock hustled in the Detroit underground for over ten years before he burst into the mainstream in 1999 with the timeless rock anthem "Bawitdaba." Other hits like "Cowboy" and "American Bad A**" followed while ballads like his "Picture" duet with Sheryl Crow and "Only God Knows Why" helped to propel him forward as one of the greatest artists of our time. His latest offering Rock N Roll Jesus is no exception, running the gamut from hard rock to hip-hop to country and soul. Of the album, which Rock co-produced with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, My Chemical Romance), he says: "I am proud of every single song on this record. It works from start to finish."
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Album Description
Rock Is Back. After 22 million records sold in the US and a three year hiatus, Kid Rock is back with the brand new album 'Rock N Roll Jesus'. Kid Rock hustled in the Detroit underground for over ten years before he burst into the mainstream in 1999 with the timeless rock anthem "Bawitdaba." Other hits like "Cowboy" and "American Bad A**" followed while ballads like his "Picture" duet with Sheryl Crow and "Only God Knows Why" helped to propel him forward as one of the greatest artists of our time. His latest offering Rock N Roll Jesus is no exception, running the gamut from hard rock to hip-hop to country and soul. Of the album, which Rock co-produced with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, My Chemical Romance), he says: "I am proud of every single song on this record. It works from start to finish."
| Customer Reviews: Read 140 more reviews...
 A pleasing Rock record October 12, 2007
DanD
42 out of 50 found this review helpful
Kid Rock's new album isn't as revolutionary as the artist and title proclaim; yet it IS rather pleasing, and is indeed a bit maturer than much of Rock's previous work. The only hints of the rock/rap that will haunt him 'til the day he dies are found in "Sugar" and "Don't Tell Me U Love Me"--and even then, both songs stand testiment to the fact that Rock doesn't distinguish between musical boundaries. You have to respect him for that, if nothing else.
The album's strength, like it's two immediate predessecors, lies in its southern rock backbone. Nowhere is this more clear than on "All Summer Long," a melodical melding of Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" (the opening riff makes me wish Rock would record "Werewolves;" honestly, he would tear that song up--in a good way). The country blues of "New Orleans" (a co-write with the one and only David Allan Coe) is another joyous sing-along, and one of Rock's most enjoyable tunes in a long time. "Amen" gets a bit too serious, but it is still enjoyable; naturally, Rock makes controversial declarations like "God d*** it, I'm afraid to send my kids to church" and "Our nation's race relations got me feelin' guilty for bein' white." The stone-cold country of "Half Your Age" helps convey the songs hilarious--and scathing--message. "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" touches upon gospel vibes, as does the previously-mentioned "Amen." Even the title track, though lyrically unoriginal, is catchy and listenable.
To me, this is Kid Rock's third record. I know, he had a career before COCKY; but here we see a man evolving musically and lyrically. While he still isn't at the creative high he insists he is, Kid Rock has managed to transcend genres, and to create some truly memorable music. ROCK N ROLL JESUS is a great album, if only for the fact that you can't easily place it in one musical category. While I don't recommend worshipping Rock for that, I do suggest we pay him some respect, and lend him our ears. Preach on, brother.
Just about what you might expect, if you read the title October 9, 2007
J. HILL (Michigan USA)
39 out of 51 found this review helpful
"Rock 'N Roll" is the operative. Less rap and more rock, as promised, for the most part. Which is not to say it is anything worthy of critical praise- sloppy, unoriginal sophomoric lyrics, uninventive riffs, awkward rhymes, at times pretty amateurish sounding garage band stuff.
But if you like Kid Rock, especially the more rock and to some extent the southern rock vibe, you probably would like this album. It is actually better rounded out than the Cocky and Kid Rock albums in an overall listen.
Rock N Roll Jesus - pretty standard, generic stuff, maybe he kept it on the album because he liked the title and needed it on the album to make it make sense: 2/5
Amen - Bob Seger inspired arrangements and pretty listenable, maybe the most cross-over mainstream ready track on the disc: 4/5
All Summer Long - Zevon's Werewolves piano riff carries the verses, with some Skynryd for the chorus. Literally. Unoriginal but autobiographical lyrics maybe some people will like it. A fun listener but as unoriginal as you can get. 4/5 (just have to dig the Wolves + Skynyrd in any form!)
Roll On - Actually, this is probably the most likely radio hit, fit for any pop format, a nice laid back tune and a hook-sure chorus. 4/5
So Hott - Pretty raunchy lyrics, fit to be a favorite in strip clubs, except that it might encourage the guests to be a little too upfront. Sure, we all think it sometimes, but do you need to sing it? 1/5
Sugar - Nicely produced rocker with some signature Kid Rock rap/rock mashing going on, with some references to older hits (think Devil Without a Cause, the song). But "give me some sugar?!" Kind of strange, maybe I'm out of touch, but who call it "sugar"? 2/5
When You Love Someone - Slower song, like you would guess, gospel backing vocals with some banjo-picking. Kid Soft. Maybe a little John Mellencamp sounding, even if Kid might not like the comparison. 4/5
New Orleans - "Artistically confused" is what KR said on Larry King. Strange nasally vocal! 3/5
Don't Tell Me You Love Me - Two tracks with "Love" in them?! Classic Kid Rock sound and nicked lyric references, no matter, the most 'typical' Kid Rock track in many ways on the album, if a little slower than the rest (think Wasting Time' vibe) 4/5
Blue Jeans and a Rosary - Come on Kid, you really are a romantic, huh? Would you believe Bob Seger verses with Elton John chorus? It really works. Right up there with Picture in the 'ballad' department. 5/5
Half Your Age - You knew it was going to be there. If "Run Off to LA" wasn't really about Pam, well, there can't be a mistake this time around. Fiddles, steel guitars, upright piano, and the rest of the roadhouse country blues band sounds. Sure to be a karaoke favorite one day (listen for John Daly, yep, the golfer, in background hollerin'). 4/5
Lowlife - Typically, the last song is one that Kid probably put on there because he could. Then again it might become an anthem for some people our there. Who knows. 3/5
If this doesn't help you make up your mind, then just forget about it. You either like Bobby or you don't. Either you get it or you don't. I gotta love him.
 Pretty bad... October 30, 2007
unseen
15 out of 24 found this review helpful
I just skimmed through this album the other night, borrowed it from my friend.
The first thing I wondered is how many of these guitar riffs are complete rip-offs from rock classics?
I noted at least 3 songs where the main guitar riff sounds like a slightly altered version of an old rock song.
Other than that, this album has a pasteurized corporate sound to it. Kid Rocks adolescent boasting and posturing gets tiresome. The songs that are non ripoffs are the weaker ones on the album, showing the amount of creativity, originality, and talent put into this album- not much.
The only thing I will give Kid Crock credit for is he tends to put on a good live show, but that cant cover for mediocre(at best), uninspired music. It's a sad reflection on our culture when throwaway albums like this are lauded as being excellent.
Do you like Trash? May 29, 2008
Nightrain (Portland, Oregon)
14 out of 24 found this review helpful
If there was ever any doubt about what a worthless, wannabe punk Kid Rock really is, this album removes it.
Sampling is one thing. Grossly ripping off an entire Intro from the great Warren Zevon, and bolting it on as the Intro to your own song is horrifying. Mr. Rock should not even be in the same sentence as Warren.
This album is a product of a dying industry run by 'record execs' who now rather than promoting thought provoking artists and their music put out trashy slop like this and pander to the lowest elements of the population. It is especially appalling when you think about the thousands of highly promising bands and musicians who will have to go back to working at Starbucks and restaurants while KR gets commercial airplay.
Mr. Rock has a hat and an unattractive goatee and that's about it. Now that he's had a dalliance with Pamela Anderson, and acquired a few bucks, I presume his motivation is running low so he's stealing from artists who actually had some talent.
If you think these are harsh words, consider this: NO ONE will be 'sampling' anything from a KR album 25 years from now.
Lots of styles and attitude covered: The "Kid" from Michigan gets it done. October 9, 2007
Leo Navarr (Donner Pass, California)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
The new kid rock release is perhaps his first full length album that really applies a large foray of coverage to KR's musical tastes and explorations. The title track has a 70s groove to it that would appeal to most classic rock fans. The track "Amen" is a softer, Americana song with downtrodden moods that has lyrics that encompass social issues much better than most, in the fact that it lays it all out on the table rather than show and tell one side of something. By far, the writing is much deeper than some of the regular riff-oriented tracks that fans have come to love from the KR discography. Track three is "All summer long" and starts out with the familiar piano pings of "werewolves of London", and while it later adds some tinges of Sweet Home Alabama, the song is a past reflection on high school days in Michigan in 1989. Lyrics are simple here, but with lines like "We never had no internet, but man I never will forget, the way the moonlight shined upon her hair" is able to capture a simpler time that was really not that long ago.
Song four dives back into slow, reminiscing lyrics surrounded by simple melodies that create a soothing, easy listen. So Hott is the fifth song and is every bit as classical in hard rock style as songs found on the breakthrough "Devil without a cause" album. Guitars, Female backing vocals and a whole lot of attitude make it one of the reasons this opening riff has been playing during commercial intermission during a recent Monday Night Football game. More mix is found with "Sugar", with the opening minute teasing a listener like they are in for another slow ride, before rocking into a full speed anthem. At times on this song the lyrics are less than appealing, with a lot of rehashing quips from past rock songs, but if one liked them in the first place, then it probably does not matter.
With twelve total songs that all together apply rock, hip hop, funk, soul, and country western styles, Kid Rock delivers an album that puts him back in the saddle. KR may have lost some fans along the way when he started branching out into different styles of music, but it was blending difference that got him into the groundbreaking arena in the first place. Although some may not think of him as an "artist", one cannot help but look back at the niche he has filled in the market and realize that it may be just enough. Want a sad song, a happy one or one that rocks out, look no more than Rock and Roll Jesus.
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