Fistfights with Tommy Lee, multiple marriages to (and a subsequent divorce from) Pamela Anderson: They say no press is bad press, and Kid Rock is hoping the exposure pays off when his new album, “Rock N Roll Jesus,” drops Tuesday.
The album is Rock’s first since 2003’s self-titled “Kid Rock,” and he feels it’s his best work to date. It’s the culmination of the rock/soul/country/blues/metal muse that Robert Ritchie has followed throughout his professional career, and it’s delivered with the hip-hop attitude that has earned Rock the stellar title of “Pimp of the Nation.”
Rock recently talked about the album, his life and his upcoming plans.
What was the genesis of this new record?
I think it was just watching everything that went on in my personal life, and having it have to play out in the press — whatever. I’m not mad about it, it’s just the way (things are) nowadays. I knew what I was getting into when I touched the water. It was boiling-hot, and I still jumped in it. But when that starts to overshadow what you love most, which is your family and your music, it is a great motivation.
Where did the title “Rock N Roll Jesus” come from?
The song started out as “Trailer Park Jesus.” It was kind of a joke. A few years ago, me and some buddies went to the Tennessee State Fair, and there were a lot of hillbillies, you could say, following me around. … We were riding this Ferris wheel with a couple of buddies, and my buddy goes, “Jesus, look at this, you’re like the [bleeping] trailer park Jesus,” which we all got a good laugh out of. And eventually my buddy was helping me with the record, and we kind of wrote the tune around “Trailer Park Jesus,” and I said “no, that was just a joke, dude.” Now “Rock N Roll Jesus,” that will get somebody’s panties in a bunch.
Was there any hesitation on going forward with that title?
Not from me. From management, there was. There’s a long conversation that goes into this. I do believe in God, and I think it’s a great thing to have Jesus’ name out there. I don’t think it can be bad in any way. People can try and say it’s blasphemy. It’s not blasphemy. I’m already rich. I’m not trying to get rich off the Lord’s name.
There’s a new maturity on this album. Does that come from age, life experiences, looking back, what?
All of the above. I’m 36 now. When I was 18, and I wanted to talk about getting a new car, getting laid and making some money, that’s what’s relevant when you’re 18. At 36, things have changed.
What role did your divorce play in the album?
It was definitely motivation, but it was also a big setback. It took a lot of time out. It was another big wrench in the program. … But it’s hard to say, I don’t know if the record would have came out like it did. Without getting into too much personal stuff, like, Pam would give me (grief) about (things) I was writing. You know? Like, “Why’d you say that?” Like, are you [bleeping] kidding me?
So why did you get married?
I had this crazy idea of having a family. A lot of it was for my son too. It was that mother/father, that idea of family. But right now, I’m just not there. Right now I’m in the music and work. I want to be with my family, have fun on the road. I don’t want to be tied down. I’ve got a few friends who are very happily married. But the majority of people I’ve met around this country, they’re always (complaining) about it.
SNAP JUDGMENT
IN STORES TUESDAY
Kid Rock “ROCK N ROLL JESUS”
RATING: 2 EXCLAMATION POINTS
When did Kid Rock become an adult contemporary artist? His new album is all about watering down southern rock, sounding more like Bob Seger and trying to recapture the success of “Picture.” For a guy who built his reputation as an outrageous rap-rocker, this is all passable, but tame, and, aside from the raucous “Sugar” and “Lowlife” and the nice-enough “New Orleans,” pretty much unnecessary.
[GLENN GAMBOA, NEWSDAY]
