The History Of Rock arrives as the sort of superstardom-celebrating release that can buy a hot-selling artist time. (Think, say, G N'R Lies.) After 8 million (and counting) sales of 1998's Devil Without A Cause, the trailer-rockin' rapper is out to remind the world that it hardly started there. Mostly drawn, and often retooled, from his out-of-print Polyfuze Method and Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp, these tracks display a "funk country hick" already on point with his knowing, hardheaded combo of old-school beats and classic-rock guitars. An "American bad ass" for sure, but also an artist who could come only from America, Kid Rock brings the noise--not to mention the bread and the circus. --Rickey Wright