It’s been five albums and more than 10 years since the nowdreadlock-less Lenny Kravitz first made himself known to the worldwith his debut album and mantra Let Love Rule. Taking Prince’s DirtyMind (1980) as his most up-to-date inspiration, he is asinger/songwriter/producer for whom the word “retro” could have beeninvented.
Things started brightly for the legendary ladies man with thecritical acclaim of his debut and its follow-up, Mama Said, two yearslater. Ironically, he scored his first international smash when hisrepetitiveness was starting to grate. The Hendrix-esque “Are YouGonna Go My Way” became his signature tune, but was on his weakestalbum.
That was seven years ago, when he seemed destined to end up in theobscurity of “Where are they now?” features. That was until his song”Fly Away” from the previously anonymous 5 appeared in a carcommercial and became a worldwide hit last year.
Not placing these tracks in chronological order makes sense forthis career assessment, as there has been virtually no artisticgrowth in a decade. His ideas are stuck firmly in the past, and hisalbums blur into one another.
Although he seems comfortable on guitar-heavy fare like ’60s cover”American Woman,” he is at his best on sumptuous ballads such as”Heaven Help” and “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over.”
As for the one new song on this collection, the heartfelt “Again”dips back into the well of his original inspiration, borrowingheavily from the ballad “Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do” on Prince’smost recent album. Is he original? Never. Is he good at what he does?Certainly.
–Lee Caldon
AmyCorreia
Carnival Love
Amy Correia is blessed with a voice that changes dramatically witheach instrument she plays (guitar, mandolin, banjo, baritoneukulele). Next to the piano in “Fallen Out of Love,” Correia croonsin a sweet tone thickly reminiscent of Billie Holiday, and in themandolin-centered “Starfishin'” sings in an unmistakable Shawn Colvinfashion. Each song on Carnival Love is distinctlydifferent, covering subjects from casual sex to the bike inheritedfrom dead Uncle Pat. The lullaby “Angels Collide” could be on thesoundtrack to “Mary Poppins,” while “Gin” puts Fiona Apple’sself-loathing to shame. This eccentric collection of stories anddreams is well worth checking out. Correia’s versatility sets herapart from the rest of the young female artists singing their heartsout in hope of some kind of recognition.
–Angela Carroll
TheOffspring
Conspiracy Of One
Few bands can match The Offspring’s sheer persistence. The OrangeCounty band proves just that with Conspiracy Of One. The recordfollows chart-topping deliveries such as Smash and Americana. Whilethat last record spawned such hummable, “can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head”ditties such as “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” and “Why Don’t You GetA Job,” it also established The Offspring both as an MTV mainstay andpunk movement sell outs. Those were the options for vocalist DexterHolland and Co. when creating their new record. Conspiracy is thesound of a band giving in to the commercial call from the land ofradio hits. What’s worse is the band went into the studio without itsusual ironic, self-celebratory humor and musical rage in mind. Whatlisteners get instead is a bad reproduction of Americana. The firstsingle “Original Prankster” — complete with rapper Redman and Rob”you can do it” Schneider cameos — sounds like a bad aftertaste to”Pretty Fly.” Its catchy, predictable and downright annoying. Therest of the tracks on the album sound rushed (the entire record runsin just less than 40 minutes) and deliver what can only be defined asmusical harassment. Novelty candy-punk, if it were even possible, hasjust been given a bad name.
–Marc Cuenco
WorldArtist pick:
Craig David, UK
The UK rock/pop charts haven’t been the same since a fellow by thename of Craig David torched his way to record-breaking album sales.Eighteen years old and trying to make a name for himself inSouthampton, England, David spent most of his youth writing lyricsand putting down melodies for them on his Dictaphone. After a briefstint as an emcee at a local pirate radio station, he soon becamepart of the England garage scene, a style centered around reggaebaselines with eight-beat tempos. From there, David was introduced toMark Hill (of Artful Dodger) and the rest is history. The first twosingles from his debut album, Born To Do It, “Rewind” and “Fill MeIn,” shot straight to No. 1, followed by two more No. 1’s with”Rendezvous” and “Seven Days.” His soothing, soulful voice and R andB style is likened to such greats as Brian McKnight, Terence TrentD’arby and Stevie Wonder. His latest single, “Walking Away,” isslowly but steadily making it’s way to U.S. radio play lists. To topthings off, at the Mobo awards (England’s version of the Grammy’s),David was the first to ever be nominated for six awards. He walkedaway with a three for Best UK single (“Fill Me In”), Best UKNewcomer, and Best R and B Act. To sample some of his music, and tosee what the hype is all about, check out www.craigdavid.co.uk.
–Farboud Damavandi
