Baptism
by Lenny Kravitz
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: May 18, 2004
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. ShakingThrough.net
    36
    There's precious little rocking to be found, and the turgid numbers that make up Baptism's bulk are bogged down by insipid clichés and half-hearted tempos.
  2. Blender
    30
    Kravitz has evolved merely from one set of retro-’70s surfaces to another, with uncharacteristically uninspired hooks.
  3. AllMusic
    30
    It's a shame and embarrassment, and hopefully it will be a temporary slump like Circus.
  5. The New York Times
    30
    There are some sturdy tunes and hooks, but not much more: the songwriting is often bland, the singing generally charmless.
  6. Mojo
    20
    Tired and contrived-sounding.... Baptism? Craptism, more like. [Jun 2004, p.102]
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Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Mab_987
    May 5, 2013
    10
    Maybe it's partially because I have a nostalgic attachment, given that this is pretty much the first album I ever owned, but I think theMaybe it's partially because I have a nostalgic attachment, given that this is pretty much the first album I ever owned, but I think the negative reception this album got is highly undeserved. It's packed full of infectious hooks, emotive lyrics & nice guitar riffs. It shows Lenny's unique combination of rock, soul, pop & R&B on a lot of tracks, but this is easily one of of his more ballad-driven albums, showing a lot of insightful introspection in beautiful tracks like I Don't Wanna Be a Star, Baptized, What Did I Do With My Life, The Other Side & Destiny. Meanwhile there's some great raw rock songs here too, like Where Are We Runnin, Minister of Rock & Roll, the soul-tinged Flash & my personal favorite California. Usually my reviews are longer than this but I really just wanted to make a case for an album I have a strong personal attachment towards given the absurd 4.8 average user score.… Full Review »
  2. 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"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 album structure. full of forgettable songs… Full Review »
  3. 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 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.… Full Review »
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