Lenny Kravitz

February 1 - 8, 1 9 9 6

**1/2 Lenny Kravitz

CIRCUS

(Virgin)

If you can separate the music from the silly rock star who created it (or if you actually dig Kravitz's pose), Circus turns out to be a better-than-average classic rock record. "Magdalene" bursts with as much melody and enthusiasm as Matthew Sweet power pop. "Can't Get You Off My Mind" sways mid-tempo like the country-flavored rock of the '70s. And "Don't Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head" is driven by a surprisingly non-retro drum-machine beat.

Circus is interesting as well for its heavy religious content. Although Kravitz's hippified vision of world harmony goes back to his first single, 1989's "Let Love Rule," never has he sounded more overtly Christian than here on songs like "God Is Love" and "The Resurrection." Traditional Christians may find his mix of sexuality (naked Lennys all over the CD booklet) with religion offensive; secular rock fans may find his beatitudes creepy. Still, if gangsta rap and left-wing folk music are valid themes for pop music, there's certainly room for Kravitz's religious convictions and positive vibe.

-- Roni Sarig