Rock N Roll Jesus [PA] * by Kid Rock

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 mis...