Lenny Kravitz Album

On the opening cut of Lenny Kravitz's latest album, Circus, the rock star falls just short of completely writing off his own existence. The song: "Rock and Roll Is Dead," a standard indictment of the fabled rock and roll lifestyle ("You're living for an image...you got five hundred women in your bed"). It's ironic, though, that Kravitz himself has always played rock star to the hilt--not in any gross display of decadence, but rather through his pronounced narcissism and pretentiousness. If rock and roll really is dead, surely the Lenny Kravitzes of the world would have slunk their way into extinction by now.

Kravitz's continued adherence to his ridiculous, often-parodied rock star stance is what makes him--even more than his decidedly retrograde music-- an anachronism. And while bands like Urge Overkill get away with Kravitz-like stud rock because they riff with their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks, Kravitz is all the more difficult to stomach because he's so lacking in irony.

If it's possible to separate the music from the silly rock star that created it (or if you actually dig Kravitz's pose), Circus turns out to be a better-than-average classic rock record. "Magdalene" bursts with as much melody and enthusiasm as Matthew Sweet power-pop; the mid-tempo "Can't Get You Off My Mind" sways like the country-flavored rock of the '70s; and "Don't Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head" is driven by a surprisingly nonretro drum machine beat.

Circus is interesting as well for its heavy religious content. Though Kravitz's hippified vision of world harmony goes back to his first single, 1989's "Let Love Rule," never has he sounded more overtly Christian than here on songs like "God Is Love" and "The Resurrection." Traditional Christians might find his mix of sexuality with religion offensive, and secular rock fans might find his beatitudes creepy. Still, if gangster rap or left-wing folk music are valid themes for pop music, there's certainly room as well for Kravitz's religious convictions and positive vibe. --Roni Sarig

Customer review - 2002-04-22

- INTRESTING...

Of all of Lenny Kravitz' six studio album,this one-1995's "Circus" was the most shunned-critically and commerically
(it's his only album-excluding last year's "Lenny"-to not hit the million mark).It's not wonder why.This is the same guy who made joyous,"retro" gems such as "Let Love Rule","Stand By My Woman","It Ain't Over Till It's Over",and "Are You Gonna Go My Way".Then he turns around(in the public's eye) and makes dark
songs such as the uneven opener "Rock N Roll Is Dead" and "Don't Go And Put A Bullet In Your Head".They both had some dark,un-Lenny videos too.And "Circus" has a lot of curious religious references("Magdelene","God Is Love") which makes you go hmmm...

But it's not hard to tell why fans would be baffled with "Circus".By 1995,the then dreadlocked dyamno's life was falling apart.The grueling tour schudeles,his failed marriage to the beautiful actress Lisa Bonet,and most tragically,his mother
(Roxie Roker of "The Jeffersons")'s unfournate passing and his pain,confusion,anger,and remorse explains the uneveness of this album.In his 1999 "Behind The Music" segment,Lenny even called this album "weird".

But there's still some decent stuff on here.The country-influenced "Can't Take You Off Of My Mind" and the funky "Tunnel
Vision" are enjoyable and less distrubing.

But yes,I found "Circus" very more intresting than good.
Every credible artist has a questionable album in their carrer and without a doubt "Circus" was Lenny Kravitz's.

Customer review - 2001-12-28

- brilliant*****

if theres one lenny album you need this is no doubt it. This one has it all melodys dark dirty riffs. The lyrics are both deep and compelling this shows a growth in his musical asperations as he shows in thin ice. he is compared to the likes of zepplin (not that i think they can be compared to anyone) and hendrix( RIP you taught us the art behind the guitar) but on all there albums it did not have the divesity of this a must buy! well done lenny classic up there with eletric lady land and led zepplin 2 rock hall of fame awaits you!

Customer review - 1999-01-09

- Interesting

Lenny is awesome for being free with his faith. Too many people are afraid to proclaim their love for Jesus and I thank God Lenny is not like that. If you are someone who feels burned by their faith, take a chance with Circus because he successfully mixes his music with his spirituality. "God is Love" and "The Resurrection" are 2 excellent songs on the CD.

Customer review - 1999-03-19

- Please!

Would somebody please infrom Mr. Kravitz that the 60's are over

Customer review - 1999-01-19

- The Circus Was Never Like This

I had very high hopes for this album before I bought it. I was very excited after Are You Gonna Go My Way and was looking forward to Circus. I fell in Love with Rock And Roll Is Dead. I liked the title track as well. But the middle 6 or 7 tracks left much to be desired. The Last 2 tracks (In My Life Today and The Resurrection) blew my mind. He blends his spiritual beliefs with his masterful knowledge of lyrics and musical themes so well it almost brought a tear to my eye the first time. Non Kravitz fans may not like this album because it is not the trademark signature Kravitz of Let Love Rule or Are You Gonna Go My Way. This is a nice album, don't get me wrong, but if you're not a serious fan, don't expect to be wowed.

List of Lenny Kravitz albums

Lenny Kravitz Album - Circus