Are You Gonna Go My Way

Lenny Kravitz

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 1993)
• Original Release Date: March 9, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WJA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,561 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The irony of Are You Gonna Go My Way is that, by the release of his third album, Lenny Kravitz had finally started internalizing the influences of his musical heroes--Curtis Mayfield, Prince, John Lennon, and Sly Stone--who had been so nakedly copped on Let Love Rule and Mama Said. So what becomes the album's big hit? The title track, a Jimi Hendrix rip-off if there ever was one. Kravitz backslides elsewhere, too: "Is There Any Love in Your Heart" is plainly drawn from Led Zeppelin and "Eleutheria" from Bob Marley, while "Believe" takes a more inventive approach--its chorus is in the style of the Beatles, while the verses and guitar solo again recall Led Zep. What's especially damning about the album though, is that the more Kravitz strikes out on his own, the more lackluster his songs become, evidenced by the dippy come-on "Black Girl" and the weak psychedelia of "My Love." --Daniel Durchholz

Product Description

Lenny Kravitz Photos

More from Lenny Kravitz

Greatest Hits

Baptism

Mama Said

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Rock albums of the year, June 6, 1998

By A Customer

Lenny Kravitz follows up wildly successful multi platinum "Mama Said" with this chart scorcher that is sure to please anyone from the hard core metal junkie to the light reggae listener. It has sweet ballads crooned with Kravitz's soul searching tenor (Black Girl) as well as ear pounding guitar riffs (Are You Gonna Go My Way). He covers the emotional gambit along with a mind boggling array of instruments and recording techniques. He produces and writes almost all 11 tracks with help from members of his band Craig Ross and musical associate Henry Hirsh. He garnered many award nominations for this album and is virtually guaranteed future musical success with the unbelievable amount of vocal, musical and lyrical talent that he possesses.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album rocks., September 16, 2003

By	H. R. Rondilla "helaroni" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading an editorial review on Lenny's album Are You Gonna Go My Way, me being a die-hard Lenny Kravitz fan, I had to comment against the cruel words.

First of all, how many artists out there can say that they have not had any other musical influences while writing their own music? If you listen closely to most popular music of today, it pretty much all sounds alike...that is probably why it is called "Popular Music". Although this album does have songs that have similarities to other artists, the majority of the songs were written, arranged and even produced by Lenny Kravitz! Like an editor said in his review "Believe takes a more inventive approach--its chorus is in the style of the Beatles..." yes, some of the songs do emulate the artists that inspire him but the key words here are "in the STYLE of the Beatles". But don't take away Lenny's credibility and ability to write his own songs by writing such harsh opinions. But now I would like to express my views on not only this album but also on Lenny as an artist.

Can you find me an artist that does not have music that reflects their influences? It is highly unlikely. Music is a source of inspiration, and influence. Musicians always have an influence and it will always be seen and heard through their craft. If anything, the fact that after hearing Lenny's album, you were reminded of artists such as the Beatles or Led Zepplin and Bob Marley, is a positive thing. To be in the same caliber of those artists is truly a compliment. Lenny can sound like other artists...but no one can sound like Lenny.

Although I have been a Lenny fan since long before the Are you Gonna Go My Way album, I must admit, that this album was probably the one that really made me open my eyes and ears to Lenny as an artist. His songs may sound familiar, but are definitely done in LENNY'S own way. He takes a sound, and makes it better. He perfects it. He takes a familiarity and gives it his own Lenny flare. He gives critics something to talk about.

I admire Lenny for being compared to other artists, but at the same time making his own music, writing his own lyrics, and playing many instruments unlike many of the artists today, which of course so many critics completely fail to mention. I will always love Lenny's music, his albums and will always "go his way"!

The Are You Gonna Go My Way album rocks.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lenny shook the mainstream with this 'alternative' classic!, August 21, 2001

By	"robthompson43" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

Lenny Kravitz redefined the 'alternative' scene in March of 1993 with his massive dreadlocks and career launching classic "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" after melancholy and angst-ridden bands like Pearl Jam, STP and Nirvana had dominated the airwaves for well over a year. This album made it ok to just rock again.

Kravitz's influences are often-times transparent, but that doesn't prevent it from being great rock-n-roll music. While many consider the title track a direct "rip-off" from Jimi Hendrix, there are several other obvious influences throughout his music, widely ranging from John Lennon to Prince to Bob Marley to Led Zeppelin.

Bearing in mind that Kravitz was still very young as a performer, "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" was an impressive accomplishment. Only three of the songs from this album (the title track, Heaven Help and Believe) made it onto the Greatest Hits album, so this album is a must for any true Kravitz fan, and certainly a great addition to the penultimate "90s" collection.