5 (Lenny Kravitz album)

Last updated
5
LennyKravitz.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 12, 1998
RecordedOctober 1997–February 1998
StudioGhetto Lounge Studios and Compass Point Studios
Genre
Length66:00 (original)
75:00 (re-release)
Label Virgin
Producer Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz chronology
Circus
(1995)
5
(1998)
Greatest Hits
(2000)
Singles from 5
  1. "If You Can't Say No"
    Released: April 20, 1998
  2. "Thinking of You"
    Released: July 6, 1998
  3. "I Belong to You"
    Released: August 3, 1998
  4. "Fly Away"
    Released: November 9, 1998
  5. "American Woman"
    Released: May 10, 1999
  6. "Black Velveteen"
    Released: November 29, 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly C [3]
NME 4/10 [4]
Robert Christgau C [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Spin 3/10 [7]

5 is the fifth full-length studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on May 12, 1998, by Virgin Records. The album produced six singles released over the course of 1998 and 1999.

Contents

Writing and recording

Pre-production work on 5 commenced during early 1997. [8] It began being recorded in Kravitz' New York carriage house studio in October 1997. [8] Celebrities including Madonna, Chris Rock, Bobby Brown, Marilyn Manson and Gwen Stefani visited this studio during the recording. [8] Later sessions took place at engineer Terry Manning's Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas. [8]

The album contained more of his '70s-inspired songs, funk and soul, mixed with his rock style. In the production of the album, Kravitz worked with digital technology such as synthesizers and tape loops providing the album with a more modern sound. It was his first album to be done using Pro Tools. In a 1998 interview with Audio Technology magazine, Manning said "we recorded the whole album on ProTools, we never went to tape, we just stayed in the digital domain. Which is a different tack for Lenny to take given his retro reputation, but it really worked well." [9] [ full citation needed ] Regarding digital plug-ins, Manning said "that’s one area of ProTools that I’m not wild about. There are some plug-ins that work extremely well, for instance the [Antares] Autotune plug-in is amazing. But for the most part the plug-ins that function like outboard gear – such as compressors, EQ, chorus and flangers – I don’t generally like very much. I think that they have a harsh artificial sound. [Although] I’m not saying we didn’t use any plug-ins."[ citation needed ]

Release and commercial performance

The album featured such hits as "Fly Away" and "I Belong to You", which helped Kravitz to expand his success in Europe. The album won two Grammy Awards. [10]

5 was re-issued in 1999, including Lenny Kravitz's latest single from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me , "American Woman", plus a bonus track called "Without You"—initially a B-side to the lead single, "If You Can't Say No".

Initially, the album received mediocre reviews by some critics, and its rise to commercial success was quite slow, until it gained traction towards the end of 1998 and throughout 1999 producing a string of worldwide hits and becoming one of the most successful albums of 1999. Despite paling in comparison in US chart position with Kravitz's other albums, it managed to have a remarkably long chart-life, charting for nearly three years straight on the Billboard 200, two of which were spent in the top 100.

The album gained Kravitz multiple awards nominations and gave him his first two Grammy Awards in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category for the hits "Fly Away" and "American Woman". [10]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated "Without hooks, melodies, and style, Kravitz's Sly, Mayfield, Hendrix, Lennon, and Prince pastiches are a bore. 5 has a few passable cuts, yet it falls short of the quirky hero worship and melodic smarts that made his first three records so enjoyable". [1] Jim Farber of Entertainment Weekly commented "It's useless to keep railing about Kravitz’ endless grave robbing. On 5, he shows no signs of halting his lifts from Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, and the Beatles. At least this time he targets some new catalogs (Gary Numan, Depeche Mode)". [3] Robert Christgau wrote "His racially convoluted formalism having long since come clean as a total absence of original ideas, he grabs the brass ring from the back of a tacked-on Guess Who cover best heard on the far more imaginative Austin Powers soundtrack. Lenny, your work here on earth is done". [5] A reviewer of Classic Rock Review added "This winner of two Grammy Awards, successfully found Kravitz both establishing himself as a genuine funk and R&B artist while also advancing his incredibly diverse fusion of rock and soul which he had established early on in his recording career. The result is an accessible and accomplished work that offers an array of sonic candy... While 5 is pretty solid throughout, the second half of the album is where real gems lie with rock, funk and soul musical diversity". [11] Stephen Thompson of The A.V. Club wrote "Kravitz's fifth album—appropriately enough, it's titled 5—has a few exhilarating fragments scattered throughout its 66 minutes. But those moments are too infrequent to be easily extracted... Kravitz's most forgiving fans will appreciate the diversity and sheer volume of 5; everyone else should give it a pass." [12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted. All tracks produced by Kravitz

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Live"
5:10
2."Supersoulfighter" 4:59
3."I Belong to You" 4:17
4."Black Velveteen" 4:49
5."If You Can't Say No" 5:17
6."Thinking of You"
6:24
7."Take Time" 4:32
8."Fly Away" 3:42
9."It's Your Life" 5:02
10."Straight Cold Player" 4:20
11."Little Girl's Eyes" 7:45
12."You're My Flavor" 3:48
13."Can We Find a Reason?" 6:25
Total length:66:30
1999 re-release bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."American Woman"4:24
15."Without You" 4:46
Total length:75:40

Personnel

Production

Singles

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for 5
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF) [50] Platinum60,000^
Australia (ARIA) [51] Platinum70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria) [52] Gold25,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [53] Platinum100,000^
France (SNEP) [54] 2× Gold200,000*
Germany (BVMI) [55] Gold250,000^
Italy (FIMI) [56] 2× Platinum200,000 [57]
Japan (RIAJ) [58] Platinum200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI) [59] Platinum100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [60] Platinum15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway) [61] Gold25,000*
Poland (ZPAV) [62] Gold50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [63] Platinum100,000^
Sweden (GLF) [64] Gold40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [65] Platinum50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [66] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [67] 2× Platinum2,920,000 [68]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) [69] 2× Platinum2,000,000*
Worldwide6,000,000 [70]

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

Related Research Articles

<i>Get a Grip</i> 1993 studio album by Aerosmith

Get a Grip is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in April 1993 by Geffen Records. Get a Grip was the band's last studio album to be released by Geffen before they returned to Columbia Records.

<i>Baptism</i> (Lenny Kravitz album) 2004 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

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.

<i>Mama Said</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Mama Said is the second studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in April 1991 by Virgin Records. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash co-wrote and played on the song "Always on the Run". He also played on the song "Fields of Joy". The song "All I Ever Wanted" was co-written by Sean Lennon.

<i>Middle of Nowhere</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Hanson

Middle of Nowhere is the debut studio album by American pop rock group Hanson, and the first to be released on a major label, which was PolyGram Records and Mercury Records. Released in 1997, it features slicker studio production compared to their previous indie efforts Boomerang and MMMBop. The band members were between the ages of 11 and 16 when it was released. "Yearbook", one of the album's more dramatic songs, was not performed live until the recording of Middle of Nowhere Acoustic on May 5, 2007.

<i>Let Love Rule</i> (Lenny Kravitz album) 1989 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Let Love Rule is the debut studio album of American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on September 6, 1989, by Virgin Records. Then-wife Lisa Bonet wrote the lyrics to "Fear" and co-wrote the lyrics on the song "Rosemary"; other than that the album is virtually a one-man Kravitz show, as he wrote and produced all the songs and played nearly all the instruments.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Lenny Kravitz album) 2000 greatest hits album by Lenny Kravitz

Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on October 24, 2000.

<i>The Best of 1980–1990</i> 1998 greatest hits album by U2

The Best of 1980–1990 is the first greatest hits compilation by Irish rock band U2, released on 2 November 1998. It mostly contains the group's hit singles from the 1980s, but also mixes in some live staples, as well as a re-recording of the 1987 B-side "Sweetest Thing". In April 1999, a companion video was released. The album was followed by another compilation, The Best of 1990–2000, in 2002.

<i>Lenny</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Lenny is the sixth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in October 2001 through Virgin Records. It reached number 12 on the Billboard 200 and number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Wandering Spirit</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Mick Jagger

Wandering Spirit is the third solo album by Mick Jagger, released in 1993. It became his only solo album released in the 1990s, and was co-produced by Jagger with Rick Rubin. The album was commercially successful, reaching No. 12 in the UK and No. 11 in the US, getting a gold certification from the RIAA.

<i>Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture</i> 1996 soundtrack album by various artists

Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the original soundtrack album of the 1996 film starring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes cast. An album featuring the film's score by James Newton Howard was also released. The soundtrack was released by Warner Sunset and Atlantic Records on November 12, 1996. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly was first released on the soundtrack.

<i>Circus</i> (Lenny Kravitz album) 1995 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Circus is the fourth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in 1995 by Virgin Records. It reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Kravitz's first top 10 album in the US and second in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 1998 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Fly Away" is a song by American singer Lenny Kravitz. It was released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998). Released to the radio on May 11, 1998, "Fly Away" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Fly Away" topped the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.

<i>It Is Time for a Love Revolution</i> 2008 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

It Is Time for a Love Revolution is the eighth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on February 5, 2008. The album produced four singles released in 2007 and 2008. This is Kravitz's final album for Virgin Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be Waiting (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 2007 single by Lenny Kravitz

"I'll Be Waiting" is a rock song written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross for Kravitz's eighth studio album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008). It was released as the album's lead single on December 6, 2007. The iTunes download release date for the song was November 6, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenny Kravitz discography</span>

American singer Lenny Kravitz has released 12 studio albums, one greatest hits compilation album, four box set compilation albums, two extended plays, 63 singles, and eight video albums, including three live albums. His debut album, Let Love Rule (1989), peaked at number 61 in the US, and while receiving generally positive reviews, it became a huge success in Europe but took a long time to reach success in the US. Its followers, Mama Said (1991) and Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993), sold better overall than his debut, achieving platinum and multi-platinum status respectively, establishing Kravitz in the music industry and expanding his success in Europe and South America. However, despite only two years between albums, personal issues such as substance abuse problems, the aftermath of divorce, and his mother Roxie Roker's illness led to a decline in commercial sales with Circus (1995).

<i>Black and White America</i> 2011 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Black and White America is the ninth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on August 30, 2011. The album also produced six singles released in 2011 and 2012.

<i>Are You Gonna Go My Way</i> 1993 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Are You Gonna Go My Way is the third studio album by American singer Lenny Kravitz, released on March 9, 1993, by Virgin Records. It was recorded at Waterfront Studios, Hoboken, New Jersey, by Henry Hirsch. It became Kravitz's first top 20 album on the United States Billboard 200, and his first number one album in both Australia and the United Kingdom, achieving worldwide success that helped to establish his popularity as a performer.

<i>Armageddon: The Album</i> 1998 soundtrack album by Various artists

Armageddon: Music From the Motion Picture is the soundtrack album to the 1998 Touchstone Pictures film Armageddon, released by Columbia Records and Hollywood Records on June 23, 1998. The album features several songs recorded specifically for the soundtrack, including "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and "What Kind of Love Are You On", performed by Aerosmith; "Remember Me", performed by Journey; and "Mister Big Time", performed by Jon Bon Jovi. Our Lady Peace's "Starseed" is a remixed version of the original. The album was commercially successful in Japan, and was certified double platinum for 400,000 copies shipped in 1999.

<i>Dutty Rock</i> 2002 studio album by Sean Paul

Dutty Rock is the second studio album by Jamaican dancehall singer Sean Paul. Released on 12 November 2002, it features four top 15 Billboard Hot 100 hits, "Gimme the Light", "Get Busy", "Like Glue" and "I'm Still in Love with You". It is also his first album to have a Parental Advisory sticker. The album debuted at number 26 on the US Billboard 200, selling 65,000 copies in its first week and went on to become an international phenomenon, eventually climbing the charts peaking at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and topping the Canadian Albums Chart. The song "Top of the Game" was featured in NBA Live 2004.

<i>Raise Vibration</i> 2018 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Raise Vibration is the eleventh studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz. It was released on Roxie Records via BMG Rights Management on September 7, 2018 and produced seven singles.

References

  1. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Lenny Kravitz: 5". AllMusic . Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  2. Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857125958 . Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 Farber, Jim (May 15, 1998). "5". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  4. Cigarettes, Johnny (15 October 2000). "LENNY KRAVITZ - 5 - 16/5/1998". NME . Archived from the original on 2000-10-15. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews" . Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. Kot, Greg (May 18, 1998). "Rolling Stone : Lenny Kravitz: 5 : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on January 18, 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  7. Lukas, Paul (June 1998). "Quick Cuts". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC: 136. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Manning, Terry (29 December 2020). "Terry Manning on 5". Instagram. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  9. Manning, Terry. "Digital Conversion" (PDF). AudioTechnology: 26.
  10. 1 2 "Grammy awards and nominations". Grammy. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  11. "Lenny Kravitz 5". Classic Rock Review. May 12, 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  12. Thompson, Stephen (29 March 2002). "Lenny Kravitz: 5". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  13. Nala and the team (December 2005). "Reportage: Cindy Blackman". La Toile des Batteurs. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Lenny Kravitz | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 "Lenny Kravitz Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  16. "Australiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  17. "Austriancharts.at – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  18. "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  19. "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  21. "Lenny Kravitz: 5" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  22. "Lescharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  23. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  24. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1998. 22. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  25. "5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  26. "Charts.nz – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  27. "Norwegiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  28. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  29. "Swedishcharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  30. "Swisscharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  31. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  32. "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  33. "Italiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  34. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1998". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  35. "Jaaroverzichten 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  36. "Rapports Annuels 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  37. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1998". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  38. "Top de l'année Top Albums 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  39. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  40. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  41. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  42. "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  43. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1999". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  44. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1999". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  45. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  46. "Top Selling Albums of 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  47. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1999". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  48. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  49. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  50. "Discos de Oro y Platino - 2000" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  51. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  52. "Austrian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  53. "Canadian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Music Canada.
  54. "French album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in French). InfoDisc.Select LENNY KRAVITZ and click OK. 
  55. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lenny Kravitz; '5')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  56. "Italian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2000" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "5" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  57. Berne, Terry (24 June 2000). "Virgin". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  58. "Japanese album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Five" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved June 7, 2020.Select 1998年5月 on the drop-down menu
  59. "Dutch album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers.Enter 5 in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2000 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  60. "New Zealand album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  61. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  62. "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 1999 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  63. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 950. ISBN   8480486392.
  64. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  65. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('5')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  66. "British album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". British Phonographic Industry.
  67. "American album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Recording Industry Association of America.
  68. Basham, David (27 August 2001). "Calling All Chart Freaks: Michael, Lenny, Bush Under The Microscope". Mtv. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  69. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2005". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  70. Flick, Larry (14 October 2000). "Kravitz Looks Forward oN 'Hits' Set". Billboard. Retrieved 1 September 2018.