Kid Rock - Devil Without A Cause (Devil Without A Cause - Kid Rock)

Member Name: tez2k007

Product:	Devil Without A Cause - Kid Rock
Date:	03/09/08 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great songs, Lyrics

Disadvantages: Middle of CD bit weak

This was actually the second Kid Rock album that I ever bought despite it being released before History of Rock.

History

This was actually Kid Rock's break through album and was released back in 1998 by Atlantic Records. The album has been voted the 68th best album of all time according to the rock and roll hall of fame and also NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers who credited the album platinum 11 times.

This was the album that put Kid Rock on the map with many people before hand criticising his work and putting him down. With the release of this album it was kid Rock saying "Don't try to judge me because you don't know what the f*** I can do. This is who I am, this is my music and this is what I can do.

The album turned heads from many listeners and fans across the nation due to its mix of style. The track's mixed solid hardcore rap with heavy metal and some soft gospel style choruses. One of the biggest talked about things with this album which separated it from all other albums was that it contained elements of country and blues style raps to some of the songs including one of the most popular songs 'Cowboy'. This was the album along with Limp Bizkit's 'Significant Other' Album that started the craze for rap metal during the late 90's into the now.

The album comes with a parental advisory certificate and is one of only 3 albums to do so that has been credited diamond. Devil without a cause shares this record with Outkasts's 'Speakerboxx and Notorious BIG's 'Life After Death.

Kid Rock was not exactly doing well before this album especially due to all the critics saying he would never make it but after the release of this album it made people stand up and take notice.

You can actually buy the clean censored version of the album which removes the profanity as well as the songs 'F*** Off and 'Black Chick, White Guy which have been replaced with alternative tracks.


The Band

Kid Rock - Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Synthesizer
Jimmy Bones - Keyboard, Organ, Piano, Harp, Synth Bass
Stefanie Eulinberg - Drums, Percussion
Shirley Hayden - Background Vocals
Misty Love - Background Vocals
Joe C. - Raps
Jason Krause - Metal Guitar, Electric Guitar
Kenny Olson - Lead Guitar
Kenny Tudrick - Guitar, Drums
Uncle Kracker - Turntables, background vocals
Eminem - Vocals on 'F*** Off'
Robert Bradley - Vocals on 'I Got One For Ya'
Thornetta Davis - Vocals on 'Wasting Time'

The Track's

1. Bawitiba - 4.27
This is the first track on the album and what a way to kick things off. This is one of my favourite Kid Rock songs. It starts off quite low but then kicks off big style with some Metallica-like riffs mixed with some synths and beats music. Its probably the heaviest song on the whole album. Kid's vocals are great and the backup singing during the chorus is fantastic making it a very catchy song indeed. The song has appeared on several movie soundtracks including such films as 'Ready 2 Rumble' and 'The Fast n Furious - Tokyo Drift. Brilliant track overall.

2. Cowboy - 4.17
This is the second song on the album which begins with the famous electronic drone voice saying "Cowboy...Cowboy". This track is one of the slower paced songs in which Kid mixes in some country style music with his normal stuff. Many people think this song is over rated but I don't think so. This is another one of my favourite Kid Rock songs. It has a steady beat from the beginning and picks up big time at the end. Many clubs and night clubs choose to play this song when customers take on the mechanical bull ride. Very good song overall.

3. Devil Without a Cause - 5.32
This is the track that the album was made for. Let's just say this track has it all from a very hardcore into some great rap lyrics and included a brilliant solo from Kid's personal friend Joe C. This is a really good song and you will easily like this one.

4. I Am Bullgod - 4.50
This track is probably the second heaviest song on the album which like Bawitiba will blow you away with Metallica style riffs and a very catchy chorus. The guitar styles on this song are very crunchy and many may think they are dull but trust me they work for this song.

5. Roving Gangster - 4.24
I must admit this is not a song that I have listened to all that much compared to the other tracks but none the less its a different style song to most of the others on the album. It sort of eases up on the heavy metal giving you an easy relaxed catchy hip-hop style tune.

6. Wasting Time - 4.02
This song includes some lyrics from Thornetta Davies but I must admit I have not been 'Wasting Time listening to this one all that much. Not as good as some of the other tracks.

7. Welcome To The Party - 5.14
This song also known as 'Ode To The Old School is another good track and a must for the partiers out there and will certainly get you jumping. A very catchy song.

8. I Got One For Ya - 3.43
Like the previous song its not one of the greatest tracks on the album but still worth a mention. Robert Bradley chips in with some vocals on this song.

9. Somebody's Gotta Feel This - 3.08
This track picks the album back up after the previous 2 songs. Its a pretty good track and some awesome guitars and rhymes along with a very crunching bass.

10. Fist Of Rage - 3.23
This is probably the third heaviest song on the album behind Bawitiba and I am Bullgod. Its a fairly good song which again contains some Metallica style riffs with some fast rapping lyrics.

11. Only God Knows Why - 5.27
This next song is what sometimes splits the fan base for Kid Rock. 'Only God Knows Why is the acoustic country rock song on the album which showcases exactly how Kid brings many different styles to his music. Many people think this is one of the best Kid Rock songs ever but there are others who disagree. This is a case of which style of Kid's music you like. I personally like the song but I prefer the likes of Bawitiba and Cowboy.

12. F*** Off - 6.13
Now we get to the most controversial song on the album. It is easily by far the most angry song on the album but also one of the best in my opinion. Kid boasts about girls, money, fame and drugs in this song and is backed up by his good friend Eminem who makes a good job of this song. This song is one of the songs that were removed from the cleaner version of the album.

13. Where U At Rock - 4.24
This is one of those songs that not many people will have heard off or know and I myself had never even heard of it when I got the album. This is one very catchy song however which I suggest you listen to as its hard to explain. Its a case of the more you hear it the more you like it.

14. Black Chick, White Guy - 12.01
Yes this is not a typo the track does actually last 12 minutes. This was the other track that was removed from the album in the censored version. This track is basically an in depth story of Kid Rock's life and tells about stuff such as some of the stuff he has had to deal with when he was younger. The vocals from Kid are not the best and the beat is quite annoying after a while. Obviously because he talks about his life and upbringing he is very vocal in his use of words which is why the song was removed from the album. Overall this is a good effort from Kid but its probably a song that you will either love or hate.

Pro's and Con's

Pros

1. Great vocals from Kid Rock.
2. Great backup from the Twisted Brown Trucker band.
3. Some great songs including 'Bawitiba' and 'Cowboy'

Cons

1. The middle of the CD is not the best
2. Kid Rock is a very good vocalist but not the best rapper.


Verdict

As a Kid Rock fan I will try not to be biased but I am giving my opinion here and that's what the review is about.

I don't think there is anyone else out there at the minute that could even pull off doing an album like this. Kid Rock gets away with mixing so many genres together to make this album that anyone else would probably be shot down for trying to do so. I bought this album after I bought 'History Of Rock' and although I love 'History Of Rock because it was the first album I bought, I would say without a doubt this is a better and stronger album.

Not only is it a fantastic album but its a unique album due to the fact it helped revolutionise the whole rock and rap style. The album itself doe's not need any selling points as it speaks for itself being that its a multi platinum album. It stands out a lot more than any of his other albums and I would strongly suggest that you add this to your collection. Any Kid Rock fan will probably already have this album but if you don't and you already have some of his others such as 'History Of Rock or 'Cocky' and you enjoyed them then you will absolutely love this album.

Its one of the all time great albums which I bought several years ago and still never gets old to this day. Some of the songs are still played regularly on TV and radio.

A great album overall which any fan should have. If your not a fan however but you do like Kid Rock then you should check this album out.

Summary: His break through album. A must for any fan.