Kid Rock

Kid: Steering wheel tapping rock

Rock n Roll Jesus

Rock n Roll Jesus? No chance of incurring the wrath of Americans with THAT title then... and doing it so soon after incurring the wrath of Pamela Anderson. Is Kid Rock mad?

Possibly. On this evidence though – this surprising evidence – the madness has mainfested itself as a fine, old fashioned, straightforward, hook-laden rock 'n' roll album. Original? Not a bit of it. Will you care as you slap your hands against the steering wheel? Hell no.

The title might hint at a quest for redemption but the lyrics suggest anything but. 'I don't want to be your friend,' he informs his target in So Hott. 'I want to f*ck you like I'm never gonna see you again.' Alrighty then, glad we got that cleared up...

The first single All Summer Long – that insanely catchy hear-it-once-sing-it-all-day mash up of Werewolves of London and Sweet Home Alabama – is indicative of the album as a whole. That it's not necessarily the stand out track speaks volumes too.

The messy divorce from Anderson has clearly left its mark. Rock may be taking legally enforced anger management classes but one imagines he got more of a release from penning Half Your Age, where he sings to an unnamed ex – no, we can't guess who it might be either – bragging about his new girlfriend who is, indeed, 'half your age and twice as hot.'

Purists will no doubt hate it and dismiss it as radio friendly soft rock. They're probably right and should go straight back to those oh-so-enjoyable crowd-pleasers like Kid A. We like a challenging album - but sometimes you just want to wind a window down and howl along at the top of your voice.

They say: 'His good hearted faith in rock & roll delivers a powerful kick... roaring guitars, truckloads of attitude and an unquenchable lust for life make up for a multitude of sins.' Rolling Stone

We say: Probably the most enjoyable collection of testosterone-fuelled rock since Def Leppard's Hysteria. Seriously.

Best Track: Amen – a wistful, pointed gospel-tinged song about hypocrisy, racism and a pointless war. See? There's a brain behind that vest.

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