force-feeding fans something that's new, different, and
ostensibly "good for" them. Others take the more traditional
route, serving up the sonic equivalent of comfort food, tunes
always unabashedly slotted himself into the latter category, and his righteous channeling of the spirit of
'76 (1976, that is) has seldom been more effective than on this outing, which reconciles his strutting
rocker side and his sweet soul singer side with panache. Kravitz's crooning has brought him many a
chart hit, and this set doesn't skimp on hits-in-the-making -- although even make-out moaners like "A
Million Miles Away" and "Believe in Me" are injected with a certain street savvy this time around. He's
at his best when leaning into crunchy, riff-laden rockers, like "Dig In" and the Bad Company-meets-
Zeppelin lust-fest "If I Could Fall in Love," and when slipping just a touch of bad-boy attitude into the
mix, as on the chunky "Bank Robber Man." As is his won't, Kravitz also toys with post-hippie spirituality,
but he's a bit less heavy-handed this time, making songs like "God Save Us All" -- which features a
smile-inducing vocoder solo straight out of Peter Frampton's book of tricks -- seem less preachy than
merely commiserating. While some might be tempted to grab Lenny Kravitz by the feather boa and let
him know we've entered a new millennium, there's something reassuring about having a key to the
way-back machine at the ready, and Lenny fires up the engine in no time flat.
(David Sprague - Barnes & Noble)
Performance. "Dig In" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
Lenny shows that Mr. Kravitz doesn't plan on stepping down from his pedestal atop the rock
world any time soon. Following his 8X platinum GREATEST HITS package, Lenny's self-titled release
is appropriately his most personal yet. The multi-talented Kravitz produced and wrote the album, and
played most of the instruments himself. "Battlefield Of Love" has a cool, effortless vibe and an indelible,
radio-friendly hook. "If I Could Fall In Love" and "A Million Miles Away" both feature strong vocals and
effects-laden choruses. "Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay)" is a sorrowful ballad that ranks amongst
Kravitz's best. "Believe in Me" (with its effective acoustic guitar solo) and "Stillness Of Heart" (sporting
an excellent string arrangement) show off this craftsman's melodic songwriting skills. "God Save Us
All" is a guaranteed arena anthem, while "Bank Robber Man" is an account of being falsely accused of
a bank heist. Lenny makes its statement in a slightly more subtle fashion than Kravitz's previous
efforts, but is no less soulful. (Muze/MTS Inc. - Tower Records)
1. Battlefield Of Love 3:14 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
2. If I Could Fall In Love 4:21 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Wigged Music (BMI)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at # 40 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 in 2002.
3. Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay) 3:52 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
4. Stillness Of Heart 4:15 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)/Wigged Music (BMI)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2002; # 18 on the Adult Top 40, # 13 on
the Hot Dance Music/Club Play, and # 38 on the Modern Rock Tracks.
5. Believe In Me 4:40 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
6. Pay To Play 2:50 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
7. A Million Miles Away 4:32 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
8. God Save Us All 3:53
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
9. Dig In 3:37 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 2001; # 7 and 37 on the Adult Top 40, #
11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, # 13 on the Modern Rock Tracks, # 31 on The Billboard Hot
100, #17 on the Top 40 Mainstream, # 20 on the Top 40 Tracks.
Peaked at # 16 on Billboard's Top 40 Adult Recurrents in 2002.
10. You Were In My Heart 5:29 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
11. Bank Robber Man 3:31 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001Virgin Records America, Inc.
12. Let's Get High 5:39 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
2001 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Billboard Chart Album Information
Billboard Chart Singles Information