Baptism
Studio album by
Lenny Kravitz
ReleasedMay 18, 2004
Recorded2003–2004
StudioHotel Edison Studios, Miami, Florida, US
Length54:00
LabelVirgin
ProducerLenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz chronology
Lenny
(2001)		 Baptism
(2004)		 It Is Time for a Love Revolution
(2008)
Singles from Baptism
  1. "Where Are We Runnin'?"
    Released: April 5, 2004[1]
  2. "Storm"
    Released: July 6, 2004[2]
  3. "California"
    Released: July 12, 2004[3]
  4. "Lady"
    Released: August 30, 2004[4]
  5. "Calling All Angels"
    Released: November 15, 2004[5]

Baptism is the seventh studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on May 17, 2004, by Virgin Records. The album produced five singles and reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 and number 74 on the UK Albums Chart.

Production

Lenny Kravitz originally intended this album to be a 1970s style funk album, simply titled The Funk Album. However, he changed his mind when he picked up an acoustic guitar to write the songs for the album. Having stated that songs started pouring out of him, Kravitz decided that his special project could wait. Instead, Kravitz recorded a more straightforward rock album similar to his 1989 album Let Love Rule.[6] The album was recorded at Hotel Edison studios in Miami, Florida, and also features a contribution from rapper Jay-Z on the song "Storm". "Storm" was originally titled "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" and was originally recorded with Michael Jackson. Kravitz had previously played guitar on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse. Kravitz had mentioned in an interview that at the time of the album's production, he was in dispute with his record label, who did not agree with his decisions to alter his project, saying that the album featured some darker material representing his stage of depression and other problems he was going through at that time.

Promotion

For the promotion of the album, Kravitz kicked off the Baptism tour in April of that year across North America. In 2005, Kravitz embarked on yet another tour called The Electric Church Tour: One Night Only in select cities. Kravitz also had a prominent role in the Gap campaign of 2004–2005 as he modelled for the brand and his image was used in stores across North America as a major celebrity seal. Kravitz's single "Lady" was used very heavily in the company's "How Do You Wear It?" campaign and also filmed two commercials with Gap spokesmodel Sarah Jessica Parker playing the song to and dancing with Parker.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic43/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Blender[9]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[10]
Entertainment.ie[11]
Entertainment WeeklyC[12]
laut.de[13]
Mojo[14]
Rolling Stone[15]
ShakingThrough.net1.8/5[16]
Slant Magazine[17]

Initial critical response to Baptism ranged from average to negative. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 43, based on 10 reviews.[7]

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote "His highly stylized brand of retro rock has always been a guilty pleasure, even though it's been largely hit or miss, but with Baptism, Kravitz's seventh album, it's become sad and limp, like a wet, leftover noodle or a stash gone bad. He should just do a cover album and be done with it".[17] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote "While these are fine individual moments, they wind up being a bit dispiriting since they're surrounded by lazy, exhausted retreads where it sounds as if the act of making music is a chore to Kravitz—something that he nearly admits in his lyrics. It's a shame and embarrassment, and hopefully it will be a temporary slump like Circus—unless he really does want to quit this business called show, since it would be better for him to stop making records than to crank out depressing sludge like this."[8]

Ryan Lenz of Today added "Some have speculated that Kravitz is intent on cementing a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For the fans, Baptism seems more intent on giving them something to worship."[18] Kevin Forest Moreau of ShakingThrough.net wrote "Lenny Kravitz became a star by peddling familiar wares in a flashy package: If there was always an element of "Been there, heard that" in his rock, soul and funk classicism, Kravitz's craftsmanship and charisma were usually enough to carry the day. But those elements are critically missing from Baptism."[16] Caroline Bansal of musicOMH added "The production is in fact what lets this album down. The mix is all wrong, with the drums far too high and the guitars way too low."[19]

Track listing

Baptism track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Minister of Rock 'n Roll"
3:34
2."I Don't Want to Be a Star"Kravitz4:25
3."Lady"
  • Kravitz
  • Ross
4:15
4."Calling All Angels"Kravitz5:12
5."California"Kravitz2:36
6."Sistamamalover"Kravitz4:29
7."Where Are We Runnin'?"
  • Kravitz
  • Ross
2:41
8."Baptized"
4:48
9."Flash"Kravitz4:12
10."What Did I Do with My Life?"Kravitz4:04
11."Storm" (featuring Jay-Z)
3:58
12."The Other Side"Kravitz4:50
13."Destiny"
4:55
Total length:54:00
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Uncharted Terrain"Kravitz3:34
Total length:57:34

Personnel

Musicians[20]

  • Lenny Kravitz – vocals, electric guitar (tracks 1–3, 5–13), acoustic guitar (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13), guitar solo (tracks 3, 6, 7), bass guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4–12), drums (tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8–12), piano (tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 10, 11), hand claps (tracks 5, 8, 12), Moog synthesizer and Mellotron (track 1), timpani (track 4), Hammond organ and wood block (track 11), synthesizer (track 12), string arrangement (tracks 4, 10, 11)
  • Tawatha Agee – background vocals (track 8)
  • Tyra Alston – handclaps (track 8)
  • David Baron – baritone saxophone (track 3), string arrangement (track 4)
  • Henry Hirsch – bass guitar (track 3), piano (track 7)
  • Jay-Z – rap (track 11)
  • Denine LaBat – handclaps (track 8)
  • Norma Rodgers – handclaps (track 8)
  • Craig Ross – electric guitar (tracks 3, 6, 7, 10, 12), guitar solo (track 9), drums (tracks 3, 7), piano (track 3), tambourine (track 7)
  • David Sanborn – saxophone (tracks 9, 10, 12)
  • The Uncle Clappers (Uncle Bruce, Uncle Hans, Uncle Craig) – handclaps (track 6)
  • David Whyko – handclaps (track 8)

Production[20]

  • Lenny Kravitz – producer, mixing
  • Henry Hirsch – engineer, mixing
  • Cyrille Taillandier – assistant engineer, Pro Tools engineer
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Baptism
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[46] Gold 20,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[47] Platinum 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[48] Gold 50,000^
Germany (BVMI)[49] Gold 100,000^
Portugal (AFP)[50] Silver 10,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[51] Gold 20,000^
United States (RIAA)[52] Gold 551,000[53]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1549. April 2, 2004. p. 22.
  2. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1562. July 2, 2004. p. 28.
  3. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 10, 2004. p. 27.
  4. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1570. August 27, 2004. p. 17.
  5. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz: Calling All Angels". Bundesverband Musikindustrie, GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ Patel, Joseph (March 10, 2004). "Lenny Kravitz Ditches Funk, Feels Reborn On Baptism". MTV News. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "BAPTISM by Lenny Kravitz". Metacritic. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Allmusic Review
  9. ↑ "Blender ::". Archived from the original on November 30, 2005. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  10. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  11. ↑ Entertainment.ie Review
  12. ↑ "Entertainment Weekly Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  13. ↑ Cordas, Alexander. "Nein wie hübsch! Lenny nackend in roter Farbe ..." (in German). laut.de. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Baptism by Lenny Kravitz". Metacritic.
  15. ↑ "Rolling Stone Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-11.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. 1 2 Moreau, Kevin Forest (May 27, 2004). "Lenny Kravitz: Baptism". ShakingThrough. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  17. 1 2 CINQUEMANI, SAL (May 25, 2004). "Lenny Kravitz: Baptism". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  18. ↑ Lenz, Ryan (May 17, 2004). "Kravitz creates a rocking 'Baptism'". Today. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  19. ↑ Bansal, Caroline (May 17, 2004). "Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". musicOMH. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  20. 1 2 Baptism (booklet). Virgin. 2004.
  21. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz: Baptism" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2004. 28. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  32. ↑ "バプティズム" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2004". austriancharts.at. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2004". Ultratop. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2004". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Top of the music – ACNielsen (Classifica annuale 2004)" (PDF) (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2004". hitparade.ch. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  48. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Music Canada.
  49. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lenny Kravitz; 'Baptism')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  50. ↑ "Portuguese album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012.
  51. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Baptism')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  52. ↑ "American album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Baptism". Recording Industry Association of America.
  53. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz's 10 Studio Albums Ranked". January 19, 2016.
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