The cover indicates that Are You Gonna Go My Way is Lenny Kravitz's bid for rock stardom. Designed in the style of an early-'70s record, it features Kravitz in hippie clothing, apparently exposing himself to a photographer -- in other words, he's a dangerously sexy counterculture rebel. That may have been true in 1970, but in 1993, he simply sounds like a weird sideshow exhibit, the man who never lived past 1973. Of course, it's easy to make such potshots, but Kravitz opens himself up to suc...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

Lenny Kravitz's greatest gift is that he's a master synthesist, pulling together different sounds and styles from eras past to create a sound that isn't necessarily blazingly original, but fresh due to his craft and sheer mastery of the studio. Since he was an unabashed classicist, his records often suffered the brunt of nasty criticism, but they were often very good, particularly early in his career before he indulged in the mannerisms of guitar-blasting stadium rock. Even if Circus and 5 were...   [ read more ]

CD $18.03

It's sometimes shocking to sample some of Lenny Kravitz's stylistic kidnapping. While he has satisfied himself in the past swiping pleasantly from the '70s soul soundboard, as well as the odd Jimi Hendrix riff, this disc lacks the flash and bluster of earlier efforts. "Super Soul Fighter," the second track on this disc, is such a shamefaced and bland Prince ripoff it makes one's jaw drop. ~ Tim Sheridan, All Music Guide

CD $17.08