http://www.calgarysun.com...2.html&a=1

BAPTISED — Lenny Kravitz
New chapter, maybe.


A decade ago, he wanted to know if we were gonna go his way.
Now, it seems like Lenny Kravitz isn't so sure which direction he's headed.

Baptised, the retro-rock soulman's seventh studio set, captures the singer-guitarist at a personal and professional crossroads.

Forget the feather boa-clad, stylishly 'fro-ed Kravitz of a few years back; here, his garb is understated, his gaze pensive and his hair a rat's nest borrowed from an old Prince head shot.

That isn't all he borrows from the Purple One.

Backing away once again from the Marshall-stack rock-band funk of his chart-topping heyday, Kravitz returns to the idiosyncratic, Prince-inspired one-man-band approach that served him so well on his early albums, not to mention his critically lauded 2001 album Lenny.

All of it is in keeping with the more soulful, intimate and reflective headspace Kravitz inhabits on these 13 songs. Oh, sure cuts like the fuzzy blues-rock of Where Are We Runnin'?, the lusty Lady and the groovy Minister of Rock 'n' Roll find him strutting and cocky as ever, claiming on the latter that he "can save your soul ... make you freak and make you lose control." But don't be fooled; it's easy to see Lenny is just telling you what he thinks you want to hear — especially after a song like Flash catches him confessing, "I'm gonna put on a mask / I've got to be outrageous for my fans."

What's behind that mask, and really on his mind, comes out on surprising, self-explanatory tracks like the poignant rocker I Don't Want to Be a Star, the spiritual love-quest title track, the piano power ballad What Did I Do With My Life? and the equally sombre The Other Side, on which Kravitz openly yearns to trade his fame and fortune for the simple life. "I'm just a man on the run," he exclaims. "It's a bore."

Thankfully, there's no way you can say the same of Baptised. Whether this is the beginning of a new chapter in Lenny's life or the soundtrack to a mood swing remains to be seen. Either way, it should be interesting to see which way Kravitz decides to go from here.

Track Listing:

• 1. Minister of Rock 'n' Roll
• 2. I Don't Want To Be a Star
• 3. Lady
• 4. Calling All Angels
• 5. California
• 6. Sistamamalover
• 7. Where Are We Runnin'?
• 8. Baptized
• 9. Flash
• 10. What Did I Do With My Life?
• 11. Storm
• 12. The Other Side
• 13. Destiny



Sun rating (out of 5 stars)


2004-05-

Lenny seems to me a jack of all trades, and a master of none. Everytime I hear his music...I get the urge to listen to whomever he is stealing from. Hendrix, Mayfield, Prince, and so on. I remain unimpressed with him

durruti said:

Man, I thought I was the only one who felt that way! he's not even influenced by other artists;it's like he's directly taking from them.

pbrite said:

Truly!!! Does this title remind you of anything?



Hmm...

I used to enjoy his music, but I haven't for the last few years.

I've mentioned this on 2 other Lenny threads but this album is a piece of crap.

I almost want to hunt Lenny down and get my $14 back. Needless to say I will never buy another album.

A Former Lenny Kravitz fan.

Yep i thankfully got to listen to it through when i was considering buying it, it's shocking, and therefore didn't!

Funny how Prince fans respond to Lenny. As Lenny stumbles on another journey that may be similiar to Prince looks and not his music, somehow he has to be biting moves. I haven't heard yet that Musicology sounds like James Brown. It sounds just like James Brown's music. Little Richard was there before Prince. Prince copied all of the above. And all of these musicians are influenced by others before.

I love Lenny's new CD. I only like two tracks from Prince's Musciology and I have only listened to it once since I downloaded it. A Million Days was a first love but that shit played out quick.

Get a grip on kissing ass when Prince puts out shit that can be produced in a basement. Prince has always been my favorite and yes, he's a genius. At least Lenny's music is straight up Rock and Roll.

Peace out absent minded bastards

durruti said:

[This message was edited Wed May 19 11:26:03 2004 by CCII]
[This message was edited Wed May 19 11:27:34 2004 by CCII]

I don't know too much about Lenny. I know he was married to Lisa Bonet, his mother was on the Jeffersons, and that he looked at one time, like a stoned hippie to me. All I've heard is "American Woman" because they played the hell out of it for a while.

CCII said:

i think the difference is that prince never tried to be like those that came before him. he always added something from his own personality and style. lenny (and ttd, by the way) has practically taken pages out of prince's story. i like lenny. so far, he hasn't released an album i didn't like. honestly, though, how could i not like them...they sound so much like p. and i don't say that about many people so its not like i'm on p's jock and i think everyone wants to be like him. but, c'mon, with lenny it is so obvious. even his band from his early days...he was so clearly emulating prince.

You guys have got to be kidding me. If Lenny was a white male that didn't look somewhat like Prince would you guys still accuse him of biting Prince's Moves. The only thing I see on Lenny's CD that even compares to Prince is that he changed his hairstyle and they are both offsprings of mixed couples.
I'm almost certain Lenny isn't sitting back saying I'm going to steal this shit from Prince. "Baptised" rocks. At least my head keeps bobbing with funk as I listen to it.
I was hoping that Prince would nail the audience with Musicology. I'm not amused at all by this James Brown/Prince version of music. The only thing that I'm enjoying about Prince's NEW style is that kids can now go to his concerts and listen to his music. And that he's reaching a small portion of the younger generation. HE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE. Other than that, Musciology will collect dust in my CD collection next to Rainbow Chilln's. However, I'll play it for my son oneday.

teeee-heee

SassyBritches said:

[This message was edited Wed May 19 11:55:20 2004 by CCII]

But at least Lenny admits it. I have seen several interviews with Lenny and he has stated that after he heard and saw Prince from the Dirty Mind era that he wanted to be just like Prince.

Peace

CCII said:

Dang near everyone (critics and fans) has pointed that out. And he's been criticised often for it on the org.

durruti said:

I SO agree with you.

durruti said:

wow... that explains why I have this suden urge to study-up on Hendrix.

Needless to say , I'm a big Prince fan. I'm a;lso a fan of lenny. Lenny brings very good skills and alot of energy to the table. He sings with soul and passion. He's the real deal.

YALL NEED TO GET CULTURED PRINCE IS THE MAN AND HIS OWN MAN WHO DOES HIS OWN SHIT BUT LEENY HAS HIS OWN STYLE OF ROCK. HE ALWAYS SAID HE LOVED P BUT THERES A DIFFERENCE BTWEEN LOVNG AND STEALING. THE ONLYTHING LENNY DID HIS PRESS HIS HAIR AND NOW LOK WHAT FOOLS HAVE 2 SAY.
GETT OFF
EROTIC KID

I might be the only one who digs the "5" Lenny. I was hoping he was going to stay on that path but after these last two album that hope is now gone. Other than "Storm" and "Sistamamalover" I won't be playing anything from Baptised.

CCII said:

First of all..Lenny Kravitz is not on the same planet as Prince. He is nowhere near the composer or performer, that Prince is. Second of all, could Little Richard or James Brown do All My Dreams or Power Fantastic? Could they hold there own musically with Miles Davies or Stevie Wonder? Did They make movies or push the envelope with their own sexual revolution? Prince is a movement...Lenny Kravitz is a blp on an insignificant pop rock chart.

CCII said:

Christ, at last, round of applause man!



I couldn't agree more. I think it's sad that he's not heard for who he is, but used as some kind of dumping ground for peoples criticism. I'm not saying people shouldn't have their own opinion, but all I read round here about Lenny is people using his shoulders and head to stand on to promote Prince. They are both artists in their own rights, they just are DIFFERENT.

CCII said:

[This message was edited Wed May 19 16:35:59 2004 by ELBOOGY]

You should never compare Lenny's move to Terrance Trent D'Arby. I like Terrance Trent D'Arby's music but he's in no way either a replica of Lenny nor Prince. He's somewhat a Milli Vanilli...whatever the fuck their names were.

ELBOOGY said:

EXCUSE ME BUT I GOTTA STEP OUT 4 MY BOY LENNY!!!!
i'VE BEEN A PRINCE FAM SINCE 1989 (I'M 25 Y/O) A LENNY FAN SINCE '95 AND I DON'T DENNY PRINCE, HENDRIX AND CURTIS BUT I ALSO CAN'T DENNY HENDRIX, LITTLE RICHARD, JAMES BROWN INFLUENCES IN PRINCE THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE ALL THOSE DIFFERENT STYLES MERGE IN2 ONE THE PRINCE SOUND OR THE LENNY SOUND...
SO PLEASE DON'T TALK SHIT ABOUT LENNY HIS BEING AN ARTIST A TALENTED 1 ...
LONG LIVE 2 PRINCE AND LENNY....
DON'T 4GET THEY R FRIENDS THEY'VE RECORDED AN ALBUM 2GETHER 4 PRIVATE USE SO HATERS DON'T U DARE 2 GO MY WAY...

WHAT out of 5 stars? It doesn't say.

Oh wait, I check the link, it's 4 out of 5! Wow, I like the album, but I would give it 3 1/2 personally.

.
[This message was edited Wed May 19 18:16:02 2004 by mrdespues]

I like Lenny and I actually dig the majority of this album. I prefer Mama Said and 5 but this album is much better than 2001's Lenny. Lenny is a great instrumentalist, if his lyrics ever caught up with his instrumental work he would be one of the true greats of the modern era.

I've got to second a few statements made on this thread: Lenny being a jack of all trades but amaster of none, and the topic of his lyrics...some on the new disc are quite cringeworthy. C'mon, "I Don't Wanna Be A Star" coming from a guy who shows up everywhere with who evers hot on his arm, wearing the hottest desgners clothes...imagine if he put as much effort into his music

Yet again I will say, if you like Lenny when he rocks, check out some of Stevie Salas' stuff:

My Site or Stevie's Site Also, here are some direct links to samples from his latest CD, The Soulblasters Of The Universe:
Soulblaster Clip
Soul Ecstacy Clip
Free Up Clip
Static Clip
Ralo's Boogie Clip
Freeze Dried Clip

actually if u listen to the heart of soul of his album instead of looking for who he is or may be trying to copy, then you would appreciate it more. I love the album, no it isn't like "5" or "mama said" but its different and thats good too. Who in the world would like to listen to the same old shit from one artist over and over again. Some of u really amaze me.

Personally, I think this a horrible record, a contender perhaps for worst of the year. The music is dull, relentlessly narcissistic and uninvolving.
[This message was edited Wed May 19 19:44:26 2004 by VoicesCarry]

but i can't figure out for the life of me why he feels he needed jay-z of all people of one of his songs????

Lenny who???
Do you remember Lenny's Performance with Prince on Rave 2000? So anxious....out of time....bad vocals...what can I say.
Why do we discuss about him? He is just an OK artist. Just Ok, not something special. I really can't find out why Prince performed with Lenny.I mean , he could choose ME. I am much better than Lenny, and believe me I can stay in tune when I sing. Of course he copies everything. Prince on the other hand doesn't copy. He performs with his own unique way.Every musician has influences, but Lenny must pay royalties to Prince and Curtis and Marvin and James.

So I am saying once again : Lenny who???

I haven't heard this album. But I've seen Lenny in concert several times. Back in San Diego when he opened for THE CULT in 92 or 93 and in Raleigh at Walnut Creek with the Black Crowes in 98 or 99. Lenny is awesome. I've been a big supporter of Prince's music all my life.
Who cares if they sound alike. In my humble opinion, I don't think Lenny is imitating, his music reflects his life. The boy is bad...come on..."Thinking of you" "Black Girl" If you haven't heard "black girl" you need to listen to that love song to a black woman. Good Lord.
If imitation is the best form of flattery I wish a lot more poeple would imitate P and get us some real music back on the radio.
At least Lenny and TTD are singing about SOMETHING other thank shaking that ass or driving a fat ride. As a black man, who was born the year after Hendrix passed away, I can only imagine what it must have been like back in the day when Hendrix was the only brother out there making mind blowing catergory busting music.
Can we get a radio station..a format to play music like this. There is a demand. A need.. A market, so call on the consultants who have ruined radio and beg them to give us back the airwaves...I digress
To close, I remember being able to identify with Prince's music from an early age after reading about him, listening to him. The same with Lenny. No denying this man;s talent and ability. I think the most important thing is that he makes music for himself, and shares it with the world. That's a god given gift, so I don;t have the right to say who inspired it or how.
So much hate on this web site. Can;t we all just enjoy the music. Lenny is a bad mofo. (period). I'm a black man and when I see a brother express himself musically , especially with a guitar, its a great feeling.
peace