Once the straight country-rock of his single "Cocky" struck a chord with the public, Kid Rock seemed more interested in filling the shoes of Southern rock pioneers Lynyrd Skynyrd than upholding his throne as hip-hop's white trash punk. His 2007 album ROCK N ROLL JESUS completes that transition. A big album that bowls straight up the middle, ROCK N ROLL JESUS is Kid's homage to the grits and gravy of classic rock, a 21st-century update of FM radio fare from the 1970s.

Gone for most part is his hip-hop posturing and in-your-face putdowns; in their place are invocations of Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Steve Miller, and the like. "All Summer Long," a bouncy, sunny tune that bears a striking resemblance to "Sweet Home Alabama," is a case in point; while "Roll On" has the smooth-rolling feel of the Eagles' early work. Rock cuts loose, to be sure, as on the head-banging "So Hott," but even these tracks are injected with a retro feel, summoning classic AC/DC more than anything from the '00's. Longtime Rock fans might miss the bad attitude, but fans of classic '70s rock should feel right at home.

Rolling Stone (p.720) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]is good-hearted faith in rock & roll delivers a powerful kick....[With] roaring guitars, truckloads of attitude and an unquenchable lust for life..."

Entertainment Weekly (p.73) - "The title track is a nondenominational, AC/DC-style tribute to Rock's rockingness." -- Grade: B

Uncut (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he reflective moments are best, notably the infectious 'All Summer Long', which melds Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves Of London' with 'Sweet Home Alabama'..."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Rock once again draws on his Michigan roots but this time crosses the tracks and tips his Fedora to Bob Seger and Motown..."