Kid Rock - Born Free (2013) [Hi-Res]

Born Free, Kid Rock's follow-up to 2007's platinum (three times over) Rock N Roll Jesus, was produced by Rick Rubin and features guest appearances from T.I., Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Zac Brown, Sheryl Crow, Bob Seger, and James Hetfield.

'With his eighth album, Kid Rock has done something he's threatened to do for years: slipped fully into classic-rock mode. Born Free has the Skynyrd guitar attack, the Leon Russell- style gospel backup singers, some fire-down-below boogie from Rock's Detroit godfather, Bob Seger (who adds his blessing with the piano part on 'Collide'). The trippy, pinwheeling guitars of the closing 'For the First Time (In a Long Time)' even drift into — I kid you not — Grateful Dead territory.

It's a direction Rock has headed in since 2002's 'Picture,' the unexpected-smash duet with Sheryl Crow that became his career's pivot point. Guided by producer Rick Rubin, Rock harnesses his previously erratic songwriting into a cohesive package and reveals new range, emotionally and vocally. Guest stars (Crow, Zac Brown) are deployed flawlessly: Though pairing Martina McBride with T.I. on 'Care' might seem ridiculous, the song's compassionate country soul feels nothing like a novelty. The familiar Kid Rock is still here, praising 'foot-stompin' music and wine.' But he sounds more earnest than ever on Born Free, and there's a very adult kind of wistfulness to songs like 'When It Rains' and 'Times Like These.' Born Free shows that you just might be able to take the Kid out of the Rock.' (Rolling Stone)

Kid Rock, vocals, guitars
Zac Brown, vocals
T.I., vocals
Marlon Young, lead-guitar
Blake Mills, guitar
Benmont Tench, piano, organ
Matt Sweeney, guitar, banjo
Chad Smith, drums
Justin Meldal-Johnsen, bass
Bob Seger, piano
Martina Mc Bride, vocals
Smokey Hormel, guitar
David Hidalgo, guitar
Kim Wilson, harmonica
Trace Adkins, vocals
Herschel Boone, vocals
Stacey Michelle, vocals
Jessica Wagner, vocals

Recorded at 800 East, Atlanta, GA; Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research,; Blackbird Studios, Nashville, TN; Shangri La Studios, Malibu, CA; Silent Sound, Atlantic, GA; Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA; The Allen Roadhouse, Clarkston, MI.
Produced by Rick Rubin
Mixed by Greg Fidelman and Andrew Scheps
Mastering by Vlado Meller

No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums
No. 5 on the Billboard 200