Kravitz's continued adherence to his ridiculous, often-parodied rock star stance is what makes him--even more than his decidedly retrograde music-- an anachronism. And while bands like Urge Overkill get away with Kravitz-like stud rock because they riff with their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks, Kravitz is all the more difficult to stomach because he's so lacking in irony.

If it's possible to separate the music from the silly rock star that 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; the mid-tempo "Can't Get You Off My Mind" sways like the country-flavored rock of the '70s; and "Don't Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head" is driven by a surprisingly nonretro drum machine beat.

Circus is interesting as well for its heavy religious content. Though 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 might find his mix of sexuality with religion offensive, and secular rock fans might find his beatitudes creepy. Still, if gangster rap or left-wing folk music are valid themes for pop music, there's certainly room as well for Kravitz's religious convictions and positive vibe. --Roni Sarig

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But it's not hard to tell why fans would be baffled with "Circus".By 1995,the then dreadlocked dyamno's life was falling apart.The grueling tour schudeles,his failed marriage to the beautiful actress Lisa Bonet,and most tragically,his mother
(Roxie Roker of "The Jeffersons")'s unfournate passing and his pain,confusion,anger,and remorse explains the uneveness of this album.In his 1999 "Behind The Music" segment,Lenny even called this album "weird".

But there's still some decent stuff on here.The country-influenced "Can't Take You Off Of My Mind" and the funky "Tunnel
Vision" are enjoyable and less distrubing.

But yes,I found "Circus" very more intresting than good.
Every credible artist has a questionable album in their carrer and without a doubt "Circus" was Lenny Kravitz's.


brilliant*****   December 28, 2001
shaun (leeds uk!)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

if theres one lenny album you need this is no doubt it. This one has it all melodys dark dirty riffs. The lyrics are both deep and compelling this shows a growth in his musical asperations as he shows in thin ice. he is compared to the likes of zepplin (not that i think they can be compared to anyone) and hendrix( RIP you taught us the art behind the guitar) but on all there albums it did not have the divesity of this a must buy! well done lenny classic up there with eletric lady land and led zepplin 2 rock hall of fame awaits you!


Personal pain resulted in darker, more personal record   December 8, 2001
28-year old wallflower (West Lafayette, IN)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

After finally discovering himself with 1993's ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY (not to mention a fair amount of critical respect), Lenny Kravitz didn't have much time to enjoy his newfound acclaim. His mother, actress Roxie Roker, was slowly dying of cancer. Furthermore, Lenny's outlook on the world had taken a turn towards the militant, bringing out an anger in his music we hadn't expected. That surprise no doubt had an effect on 1995's CIRCUS, which turned some people off with its more downbeat approach.

Probably the most damning was the Zeppelin-derived opener "Rock & Roll Is Dead", which really is a good rocker in the end, but people thought Lenny was contradicting himself when he put down the excess of rock stars, everything from drugs to groupies. After all, didn't Lenny's music come from a time when those things were used in abundance? Even so, the song still rocks to high heaven. The same goes for the funk-driven (if a little too James Brown-inspired) "Tunnelvision", "Magdalene" (Lenny's "Dancing Days", if you will) & "Thin Ice".

But with all the emotional turmoil in Lenny's life around the time of CIRCUS, a more introspective person emerged. The eerie title track (with its eyebrow-raising video), "Don't Go & Put A Bullet In Your Head", "In My Life Today" & the country-tinged "Can't Get You Off My Mind" demonstrate a Lenny starting to mellow out ever so slightly, even if it took a personal tragedy (his mother's death) to make that happen.

Religion also becomes a focal point on songs like "God Is Love", "Beyond The 7th Sky" & "Resurrection". While the death of his mother may have gotten Lenny to thinking about his own mortality, most of these songs come off as too preachy in the end. Such indulgence can be forgiven & even understood nevertheless.

CIRCUS was indeed a shocking record coming from Lenny Kravitz, not just for its ever-present influences, but for its overall depressing mood. After all, wasn't Lenny supposed to be about the love, peace & happiness vibes of the late 1960s? Instead, CIRCUS had Lenny facing reality & discovering that such things don't come so easy. Most fans weren't willing to go on that dark ride with Lenny & critics were often even more harsh in their reviews. But while it's true that CIRCUS may be not as enjoyable as its upbeat title states, after a few listens, the album will start to reveal itself as an intriguing, well-worth-listening record in the end.


"Rock And Roll Is Dead"?!?!?!?!?!?!   November 10, 2000
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Yeah....somehow that title (the first single off "Circus")seems more than a little out of place! Whatever the intention may have been, rock and roll is definitely NOT suffering on this album!

"Circus" is a very raw-sounding rock album....the first half is mainly more straight ahead rock...."Beyond the 7th Sky" is a slow, driving rock song that hits you and won't let go...."Rock And Roll Is Dead" is full of energy...."Magdalene" is a steady rocker (like "Are You Gonna Go My Way" off the previous album" only not so over-the-top) that really lifts you, and will have you singing along before you even know what you're singing!

The rest of the album is much darker...."Thin Ice" "Don't Go And Put A Bullet In Your Head" and the title track are all slow and darkly beautiful songs.....

BUT -- if you don't own anything by Lenny Kravitz, and you wanna see what he's all about, DO NOT start with this album....I love this cd -- it's probably my favorite of all of his -- but it's not a standard Lenny Kravitz album....

Picking up "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" or "5" or even the new greatest hits disc would be a much better place to start.....

If you're already a fan and you don't own this, you have to! While it's still largely a positive album, much more so than a lot of the music that was popular when it came out, "Circus" is a real moodswing for Lenny....

Once you get past that, it's still very much the powerful music he has always put out, and continues to put out.


Sensitive and Dark. Welcome to the Picture Show.   August 22, 2000
Vincent M. Mastronardi (Michigan)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Lenny really let it all go on this one. He still has a lot of that old sixties, seventies rock/soul influence in some of his music, but the message is darkly intelligent rather than all about peace, love and understanding. Lenny not only hits you off with an edgier and cooler sound than before, but makes an arty rock record on his own terms. This feels like his most unapologetic set ever, while others tried to focus on one area in music/life. It's freedom and it sounds great.

The beginning thoughtful rant of "Rock And Roll is Dead" is a great mix of that awesome guitar style along with a rocking drumbeat. The next single is another dark focus on life called "Circus", making the world seem like a gloomy sideshow. This is dark introspective rock and another 180 from "Let Love Rule". Despondent rock it's at finest with lighter alternative sounds. The next two great essentials are softer. The light country meets pop combo of "Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" is one of his nice lost hits that really oozes love. Perhaps it's another attempt at Lisa Bonet or just lusting over a new girl. My favorite track wasn't a single at all but a cleaver commentary on young girl's thriving for fame in "Magdalene". This is a rocky midtempo number his most sharp and honest lyrics about a third party. Lenny can really do story telling and this proves it.

On top of all the moody rock tunes that make you think, there are a lot of religiously focused songs on this album. From the blatant "God Is Love" with a techno quality, not to mention big rock of "Beyond The Seventh Sky" to light acoustics of "Resurrection". This is a very soulful album although not in sound. The simple compositions with rock sounds are his most creative ever. It's not the easiest sell, but I think that it will be enjoyed by those with an open mind for new kinds of rock, not to mention deep thoughts.