In 1990, {$Kid Rock} landed a 100,000 dollar record deal with {@Jive}, only to be unceremoniously kicked to the curb when {^Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast}, his corny debut, was much less than a blockbuster. Displaying the pluck that would contribute to his eventual stardom, {$Rock} was undeterred by the chilly reception. He moved to New York City, signed on with indie label {@Continuum}, and in 1993 released {^The Polyfuze Method}. While it isn't much better than its predecessor, the album doesn't swipe as shamelessly from established {\hip-hop} acts, and represents a significant leap forward not only in the development of {$Kid Rock}'s unlikely mixture of {\classic rock}, {\hip-hop}, and {\country} influences, but his own trailer-park pimp-daddy persona. While the {$2 Live Crew}-style bass workouts of {^Grits Sandwiches} aren't as prominent, {^The Polyfuze Method} does borrow liberally from the militant, congested sound of {$Public Enemy}, as well as {$N.W.A}. However, {$Rock} isn't even in the same lyrical universe as {$Chuck D}, so the influence doesn't seem like blatant theft. If anything, {^Polyfuze Method}'s beefed-up production is a plus, as it strengthens {$Kid}'s occasionally weak {\raps} by shouldering some of the centralizing pressure. {&"Killin' Brain Cells"} features big percussion and a funky guitar sample underneath lines like: "People wanna know what I'm thinkin'/But I don't care/So I keep my thoughts in a bottle of Cuervo." The song foreshadowed the confluence of blind bravado, hard liquor, and rocking beats that would become such a successful formula with 1998's {^Devil Without a Cause}. {&"Prodigal Son,"} {&"The Cramper,"} and {&"Fuck You Blind"} feature similar sounds and themes; the latter's live guitar and percussion was a definite break from the prevailing {\hip-hop} sound in 1993. Unfortunately, these relatively promising tracks can't save {^The Polyfuze Method}. The album's second half is plenty raunchy, but songs like {&"Balls in Your Mouth"} can't get by with lurid porn samples alone. The unfortunate slow jam {&"My Oedipus Complex"} isn't good for anyone, either. The {$Rock} himself may have delivered the final verdict on {^The Polyfuze Method}. Many of its better songs were later re-released on the post-{^Devil Without a Cause} retrospective {^History of Rock}. However, they were also re-recorded or largely reworked by {$Kid} and his new band, {$Twisted Brown Trucker}. Despite its strong suggestion of what was to come, {^Polyfuze Method} doesn't really go anywhere. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide