his most personal recording to date, a description that's hard
to argue with, given the intimate lyrical tenor of many of the
album's 13 songs and the one-man-band makeup of many others.
ode "I Don't Want to Be a Star," which gooses the Family Stone classic "Everybody Is a Star" into the
post-paparazzi world. Yeah, the sentiment is pretty much diametrically opposed to the preening opener,
"Minister of Rock n Roll," but Kravitz manages to make listeners overlook the U-turn via a winning
combination of sharp guitar work and honey-dripping vocals. Although it's one of Kravitz's more
rock-oriented albums, Baptism does dip into the trough of funk here and there, most effectively on the
greasy, bass-driven "Sistamamalover." Some of the disc's more introspective ballads -- "Baptized," for
one -- wilt under Kravitz's overheated delivery, but the surprises, such as a guest spot from Jay-Z on
"Storm" and the neo-bubblegum tone of "Flash," make up for those few fallow spots. On his first new
album in three years, Kravitz sounds, well, renewed. (David Sprague - Barnes & Noble)
recordings of "Who, Zeppelin, Beatles, Kiss, and the Rolling Stones." If Prince, Hendrix, and a few 1970s
one-hit wonders had been added to the list, this might have been a tidy description of the sounds
emanating from Baptism. Of course, Kravitz has always been much more than the sum of his influences.
By taking the sound, energy, and attitude of classic rock and combining it with just the right dose of 21st-
century urban music, the one-man band pays homage to pop history while creating something of his own.
Here, he's unusually reflective and self-referential, repeatedly returning to themes of loneliness,
dissatisfaction, and uncertainty about his life choices. Of course, this is no somber folk album, so fans
can be assured that each track on Baptism rocks in Kravitz's trademark spare, blazing, guitar-driven
style. (Muze/MTS Inc. - Tower Records)
1. Minister Of Rock 'N Roll 3:34 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Wigged Music (BMI)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
2. I Don't Want To Be A Star 4:25 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
3. Lady 4:15 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Wigged Music (BMI)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2004; # 4 on the Adult Top 40, # 27 on The
Billboard Hot 100, # 26 on the Top 40 Mainstream, # 25 on the Top 40 Tracks.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2005; # 26 on the Adult Contemporary, and
# 2 on the Top 40 Adult Recurrents.
4. Calling All Angels 5:12 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
5. California 2:36
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
6. Sistamamalover 4:29
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
7. Where Are We Runnin'? 2:41 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Wigged Music (BMI)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2004; # 12 on the Adult Top 40, # 30 on the
Mainstream Rock Tracks, # 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks, # 69 on The Billboard Hot 100, and
# 35 on the Top 40 Mainstream.
8. Baptized 4:48
Written by Gerry DeVeaux/Lenny Kravitz
Published by WB Music Corp./Bahama Rhythm Music Ltd./Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
9. Flash 4:12
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
10. What Did I Do With My Life 4:04
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
11. Storm 3:58
Written by Lenny Kravitz/Sean Carter
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Carter Boys Music/EMI April Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2004; # 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Singles & Tracks, and # 98 on The Billboard Hot 100.
12. The Other Side 4:50
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
13. Destiny 4:55
Written by Lenny Kravitz/Lionel Richie
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/LBR Music (ASCAP)
2004 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Billboard Chart Album Information
Billboard Chart Singles Information