“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock

Kid Rock’s attempts to blend Rap, Rock and Country have always yielded somewhat uneven results, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why this song seems to be one of the most despised hits of 2008. For one thing, however much of a mixed track record Kid Rock’s actual output may have, there’s no denying that the man has a fantastic singing voice, and for once he really gets to show it off. The beat may be stolen from “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a fantastic beat. Maybe it’s just the stigma attached to the particular subgenre of Country that a few years later would attract the label ‘Bro-Country’, but frankly this is about as good as that style ever gets. There’s a nostalgic edge to the revelry that gives the song a subtly bittersweet quality, especially at the end, when he admits ‘Man, I’d love to see that girl again’. This song kind of reminds me of Tim McGraw’s classic “For a Little While”, which is only a good thing, and while it is nowhere near as heartbreaking as that song, it still feels more intelligent and deep than your average Bro-Country party song.

Verdict: Good.

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