Baptism
by Lenny Kravitz
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: May 18, 2004
User Score
4.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 41
  3. Negative: 20 out of 41

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  1. Badu-Young007
    Oct 20, 2011
    3
    This album contains high doses of junk lyrics "The Minister Of Rock 'N Roll" "I Do not Want to Be a Star" and Even Some repeptivo as "Lady" "Sistamatolver." It's Such a drag, "Calling All Angels" "Baptized" it is Obviously Going Through to Great Depression, California "is nice, but nothing more, in" Storm "Just Blaze not was very fine. Jay-Z if. End result leaves Without an albumThis album contains high doses of junk lyrics "The Minister Of Rock 'N Roll" "I Do not Want to Be a Star" and Even Some repeptivo as "Lady" "Sistamatolver." It's Such a drag, "Calling All Angels" "Baptized" it is Obviously Going Through to Great Depression, California "is nice, but nothing more, in" Storm "Just Blaze not was very fine. Jay-Z if. End result leaves Without an album structure. full of forgettable songs… Expand
  2. Josh.
    May 18, 2004
    1
    Walk away, Lenny. For the love of God, just walk away.
  3. jimbob
    May 18, 2004
    2
    This album is the musical equivalent of watching grass grow. Perhaps Lenny should stop diddling movie stars, and try writing some decent songs.
  4. LaurenceH
    May 20, 2004
    3
    This CD falls falt. Maybe the only first single 'Where are we runnin' could have a minimum of interest... But, seriously, Kravitz can do better. He should stick to P.O.D style, not his own.
  5. LawrenceC
    May 30, 2004
    1
    NO WAY. This record was probably released to say ''Hey guys, I'm still in the game''... A shame, really. Stay away from 'Baptism'. It sucks.
  6. MikaS
    Jun 5, 2004
    2
    Lenny's worst recording. And why the hell did he invite Jay-Z for another boring song? Jay-Z means so much more than ''storm''... Dump out this album. Yuck. A real mess.
  7. DT
    May 18, 2005
    1
    "cus she makes me feel good, she's so fine" .....I think I am going to puke. This song is one of the most contrived songs I have ever heard. Lenny is definitly reaching on this one.
  8. DannyZ
    Jul 31, 2007
    3
    Baptism is Lenny Kravitz' worst album. It's clearly evident he's running out of ideas because he's chosen to reproduce his first album, minus the charm and vigour. 70% of the album is pure crap and it only ever comes to life with four songs: the invigorating 'California', the riff-laden 'Where Are We Runnin', and the Jay-Z collaboration Baptism is Lenny Kravitz' worst album. It's clearly evident he's running out of ideas because he's chosen to reproduce his first album, minus the charm and vigour. 70% of the album is pure crap and it only ever comes to life with four songs: the invigorating 'California', the riff-laden 'Where Are We Runnin', and the Jay-Z collaboration 'Storm'. Finally, the dynamic 'Flash' is as close to Motown as Lenny's ever sounded. Unfortunately, the rest of the album can be best described as dull and lifeless, material not even on par with what was previously considered his poorest effort, the 1995 album Circus. Here's to hoping Lenny's next record doesn't suck as hard.… Expand
  9. UnclePeanut
    May 21, 2004
    2
    Lenny's 2nd straight subpar album... at one time I thought each new record pushed in a different direction but this is retreaded stuff.
  10. LaurenceH
    May 20, 2004
    3
    This CD falls falt. Maybe the only first single 'Where are we runnin' could have a minimum of interest... But, seriously, Kravitz can do better. He should stick to P.O.D style, not his own.
  11. SpankyM
    May 20, 2004
    1
    does anyone actually listen to this guy? i subjected myself to one of his sorry-ass sets at the jazz fest, where he's lucky drunken new orleans fok didn't hit him successfully with food and beer. if lenny would just take the face paint off, and finally reveal that he's really the long lost guitartist from foreigner...well, i would still think he's crap, but at least it does anyone actually listen to this guy? i subjected myself to one of his sorry-ass sets at the jazz fest, where he's lucky drunken new orleans fok didn't hit him successfully with food and beer. if lenny would just take the face paint off, and finally reveal that he's really the long lost guitartist from foreigner...well, i would still think he's crap, but at least it would be more honest and fun than hopelessly trying to cop prince and sly...and yes, i am sorry for mentioning both those guys in the same paragraph as lenny "can't write a decent song to save his ass" kravitz. lenny, you're not hip! don't try so damn hard! then maybe you might come up with some at least mediocre schlock. stick to bangin' your supermodels or whatever stupid actress you're bonin' in your gazillion dollar home. but lenny, i don't hate you...i would just appreciate it if you would limit the corporate noise pollution that you help make a reality-- in ultimate hopes of finally "bland-inizing" america. we're almost there clear channel! woo hoo!… Expand
  12. robertos
    Jul 15, 2004
    0
    goddamn, this sucks
  13. PaulV
    Jan 24, 2006
    0
    Oh Lenny. When will you learn that you're not Jimi Hendrix?
  14. DevinB
    May 18, 2004
    0
    Lenny has and always will be nothing more than worthless pastiche. His covers sap the originals of any power or emotion they may have had, his originals are equally soulless, structured from the ground up as a poor man's Hendrix. Very poor. Lenny wants so badly to be iconic, nostalgic and anthemic, but with Baptism he's proven once and for all that he's really just prosaic Lenny has and always will be nothing more than worthless pastiche. His covers sap the originals of any power or emotion they may have had, his originals are equally soulless, structured from the ground up as a poor man's Hendrix. Very poor. Lenny wants so badly to be iconic, nostalgic and anthemic, but with Baptism he's proven once and for all that he's really just prosaic and moronic.… Expand
  15. zacko
    May 28, 2004
    1
    dear god what is this crap?!?!? the 5 or so boring slow songs all sound the same and lenny's annoying voice is whining over the boring riffs . the only good song is Where are We Runnin, a catchy song with good riffs and youll be singin if for days, but why the hell couldnt he make all the songs on this album like that?! the rest of the songs are pure crap, and i cant listen to some dear god what is this crap?!?!? the 5 or so boring slow songs all sound the same and lenny's annoying voice is whining over the boring riffs . the only good song is Where are We Runnin, a catchy song with good riffs and youll be singin if for days, but why the hell couldnt he make all the songs on this album like that?! the rest of the songs are pure crap, and i cant listen to some of them for more than 30 seconds. only one point for Where are We Runnin. Please lenny, drop the slow tunes and bring out the rock!… Expand
  16. JackieS
    Jul 19, 2004
    0
    Garbage. Does anyone actually LISTENS to him?

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2004
93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 5 out of 10
  1. Rolling Stone
    70
    Somewhere along the line in his career, he fully absorbed his pantheon of Sixties and Seventies influences and began to sound like no one but himself. The confidence that results from that growth -- along with the knowledge that comes from having made records for fifteen years -- is apparent throughout this album.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    20
    Tired and contrived-sounding.... Baptism? Craptism, more like. [Jun 2004, p.102]
  3. Blender
    30
    Kravitz has evolved merely from one set of retro-’70s surfaces to another, with uncharacteristically uninspired hooks.
    Read full review
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