5
Lenny Kravitz · 1998
75 min · 15 tracks · folk music
A vibrant mix of rock, funk, and soul captures the eclectic essence of Lenny Kravitz's artistry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Live Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Fly Away — This track is not only a Grammy-winning anthem but also encapsulates the album's spirit with its infectious groove and uplifting lyrics about freedom.
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American Woman — A cover of The Guess Who’s classic, Kravitz's rendition revitalizes the song with a modern twist while maintaining its rebellious essence, making it a standout in his catalog.
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Supersoulfighter — This track combines elements of funk and rock with powerful vocals that express themes of resilience and empowerment, reflecting Kravitz's artistic versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a mix of energetic and introspective tracks but lacks strong cohesion throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Live', and maintains a mid-tempo pace for the first half before introducing slower ballads in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, blending electric guitars with brass sections, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- vibrant rhythmic grooves
- contemplative late-night vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Kravitz's recognition with hits like 'Fly Away' and Grammy wins.
- Themes
- American rebellion· soulful empowerment
- Career context
- By 1998, Lenny Kravitz was riding the wave of success from his previous albums, especially after the commercial triumph of 'Let Love Rule' and 'Are You Gonna Go My Way'. With '5', his fifth studio album, he further solidified his reputation as a genre-blending artist at the height of his popularity, showcasing both musical experimentation and personal lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Jimi Hendrix· Carlos Santana
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Thinking of You
The narrative shifts from past memories to present longing as the narrator reflects on love lost over atmospheric instrumentation.
Tracklist
- 1 Live Start here 5:10
- 2 Supersoulfighter 4:58
- 3 I Belong to You 4:17
- 4 Black Velveteen 4:48
- 5 If You Can’t Say No 5:17
- 6 Thinking of You 6:24
- 7 Take Time 4:31
- 8 Fly Away 3:41
- 9 It’s Your Life 5:02
- 10 Straight Cold Player 4:19
- 11 Little Girl’s Eyes 7:44
- 12 You’re My Flavor 3:48
- 13 Can We Find a Reason? 6:30
- 14 American Woman 4:24
- 15 Without You 4:46
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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