Rock N Roll Jesus (Atlantic, 2007) by Kid Rock

If Kid Rock took the approach of the "Picture" record and made an album out of it, it would be this album.  Rock N Roll Jesus definitely has that crossover to full-fledged southern rock that his previous material didn't.  I remember when this album dropped I was really into it because Mr. Ritchie referenced Northern Michigan and Nashville on the same album- two places which are very near and dear to my heart.  And in addition to that, the music was good too.  My favorite song on the album is "Roll On."  The sentimental tone of the record coupled with Rock's continued maturity made for one of my favorite songs and videos of that year.  It is not often that I prefer singles over deep cuts, but "Roll On" is one of the few exceptions.

Radioactive (Shady, 2011) by Yelawolf

Aside from the obvious common thread of race among Yelawolf, Eminem, and Kid Rock.  Stylistically, Yelawolf sounds like a combination of Eminem and Kid Rock.  And Yela's well-rounded appreciation of music extends beyond his sound as well.  He has a wide range of influences too.  If you don't believe me, listen to "Radio" where he name-drops Janis Joplin and Bone Thugs N Harmony in the same line.  This very diverse mix of taste translates wonderfully to all of his major-label debut, Radioactive.  There are no two songs that sound alike.  "Made in the U.S.A" sounds like the perfect anthem for the Occupy Wall Street movement, "Growin' Up in the Gutter" sounds just as industrial as anything Trent Reznor would put out, and "Animal" has Yela blacking out with an absolutely amazing flow at the end, and he holds his own on collabos alongside Em, Kid Rock, Killer Mike, and Mystikal ; this album is a modern hip hop classic.  And the reason I have yet to come across anyone else who recognizes this album in that same light is totally beyond me.

Devil Without a Cause (Atlantic, 1998) by Kid Rock

Kid Rock is a very well-rounded artist.  He, in many people's opinion, isn't the best rapper, rocker, or country artist.  However, he masterfully combines a variety of styles.  I honestly don't even look at it that way.  I think the culmination of his wide range of influences makes for a sound all his own.  He is the only performer that I can think of who can rock with Hank Williams Jr., Twisted Brown Trucker, and Too $hort.  And best of all, he is sincere in all three of those genres.  Rock N Roll Jesus was great.  Born Free was outstanding.  But this was the one that did it for me.  "Only God Knows Why", "Fuck Off", "Wasting Time", and "Cowboy"-those are my personal favorites.  However, I can honestly play the whole album, Devil Without a Cause, from beginning to end without skipping a single track.