No Stranger to Shame

1	Keep It Comin' 3:21
2	Thunderhead Hawkins 3:47
3	In a Little While 4:09
4	I Wish I Had a Dollar 4:03
5	Drift Away 4:15
6	Baby Don't Cry 4:27
7	I Do 3:11
8	Memphis Soul Song 3:57
9	I Don't Know 3:57
10	To Think I Used to Love You 3:28
11	Letter to My Daughters 3:08
12	No Stranger to Shame 8:27
13	[Untitled Hidden Track] 0:04

Barnes & Noble

When, with the release of the fluffy "Follow Me," Uncle Kracker first ventured out of the trailer-park landscape that he helped Kid Rock construct, a goodly number of folks wondered, "What's a nice boy like this doing hanging out with that American Bad Ass?" Well, on his sophomore set, the DJ-turned-crooner doesn't help listeners make any real inroads towards solving that riddle, but he does turn out more of the same surprisingly creamy soul-pop that made his debut album such an addictive pleasure. Like Kid Rock, Kracker wears his allegiances on his sleeve -- as borne out by his decision to invite soul singer Dobie Gray to contribute guest vocals to a cover of "Drift Away." He also shares the Kid's fondness for honky-tonk country, which is evident on the twangy "I Used to Love You." The artist sometimes (at least to his mom and the DMV) known as Matt Shafer can indulge his sweet tooth a little too often: "Letter to My Daughters," for instance, pours it on thicker than even a Hallmark staffer ever would. But when he gets down to business, as on the sexy, Stax-y "I Do," there's no doubting that Uncle Kracker's heart, and his musical instinct, is in the right place. David Sprague

All Music Guide

On his sophomore effort, Uncle Kracker (born Matthew Shafer) steps out from behind Kid Rock's turntable to prove he's a viable artist on his own. The album No Stranger to Shame is a collection of willowy jangle rock with Motown and rap influences thrown in. It kicks off with the Motown feel of "I Do" and continues through a journey of country on "Letter to My Daughters" and funky rap on "Keep It Comin'." No Stranger to Shame is vastly different from his rap-riddled debut, Double Wide. His full-time employer, Kid Rock, is only credited as executive producer, unlike Double Wide, on which the rap-rocker made multiple appearances. Uncle Kracker proves he can sing throughout No Stranger to Shame. His takes on "Drift Away," a duet with Dobie Gray, and "Baby Don't Cry" showcase Uncle Kracker's blues sensibility. No Stranger to Shame should keep radio busy for quite some time -- most of the songs remain in the listener's mind long after the CD ends. ~ Christina Fuoco, All Music Guide