In the mid 1990s, I heard a concert promotion radio ad that was basically introducing the performer to be "The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Star". When they announced that star to be Lenny Kravitz, I must admit, I nearly drove off the road when I heard that. I had realized Kravitz had some commercial success and had a nice following, but "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Star"? - come on! However, now about a decade later, as I have begun to get a deeper appreciation for what Rock music has to offer, I now realize that perhaps there is some real merit to that radio ad. I'm still not ready to put Kravitz up there with the upper echelon of Rock with the Paul McCartneys, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteens, or even Billy Joels - however, it is safe to say that Kravitz could easily be one of the great revelations of the 1990s. Kravitz established his potential on his debut album, "Let Love Rule". On that album Kravitz utilized the "Minneapolis Sound" (similar to the style made famous by Prince) by incorporating a mix of Funk and Rock. By 1993, Kravitz was soon expanding his sound and his third album "Are You Gonna Go My Way" would help to take things to the next level. Kravitz also integrates his personal life experiences into this album.

Many have said that this album provides an "edge" - much of this probably resulting from his failed marriage to Lisa Bonet. While I can see this, ultimately I feel that this album actually shows more of Kravitz's development as an artist as opposed to anger.

Here is a song by song synopsis of the collection:

"Are You Gonna Go My Way": This song is all about Kravitz's guitar work as it is going to set a high level of intensity. However the percussion blends perfectly here as well. One underrated fact of this song is how Kravitz uses the spoken word "What I really want to know is..." right before the title of the song is sung "Are You Gonna Go My Way".

"Believe": On this track, Kravitz extends his sound by introducing some an Indian sounding melody to open the track. However, I find the whole way Kravitz incorporates an orchestral sound with strings and horns an even stronger sign how he has grown as an artist.

"Come on and Love Me": The percussion and bass really set the pace for this tone. Kravitz perfectly layers his guitar work on this track. Some can argue this has a retro feel, but I think this is a case where retro can be considered modern.

"Heaven Help": Piano work is going to be the story here as it provides a retro styled R&B melody to it. Another great point is how Kravitz demonstrates terrific vocal ranges here. Kravitz's words "I'm ready for love" are indicative of some of his post-divorce feelings following his failed marriage.

"Just Be a Woman": On this track, Kravitz now effectively utilizes the acoustic guitar combined with some terrific string arrangements. This song is probably reflective on Kravitz's failed marriage as he says "You ask me...how can I make it right?"

"Is There Any Love in Your Heart": Kravitz turns up the intensity with another hard-rocking sound here. While the title track has always gotten the attention, this track often gets overlooked. More reflections on his failed marriage surface here - not just in the song title, but in the lyrics such as "Your whole life is a fantasy and I'm playing the clown". There is a terrific guitar bridge about 2/3 of the way into the song.

"Black Girl": This song has another R&B feel to it. On the verses, the guitars are electric, but they take more of a complementary role to Kravitz's vocals. On this song I suddenly realized something about Lenny Kravitz, he has his own version of a falsetto. It isn't a Barry Gibb falsetto, but nonetheless it is a falsetto that can be effectively used. I also like how Kravitz "switches" gears about 2/5 into the song in terms of the rhythm of the song. There is another great guitar bridge on this song.

"My Love": This song goes all back to the guitar. In fact, this song almost has a stripped-down guitar feel to it. Possibly this goes back to more of Kravitz's feelings about his failed marriage as he uses this song to describe "his love".

"Sugar": This song also has a retro-styled 1970s R&B feel to it. I like how Kravitz mixes up his vocal ranges on this track. On this track I feel the String and horn arrangements also help build to the appeal of this song.

"Sister": This is the most underrated track on the collection and demonstrates how Kravitz has completed himself as an artist. The song opens with some terrific acoustic guitars. This is followed up by some electric guitars that "fold" into the melody beautifully. Finally some outstanding string arrangements are also layered on top of things. One of the great guitar solos in Kravitz's work is demonstrated on the middle of this track. While the guitar work is great, it ultimately is Kravtiz's passionate vocals that really hit home - particularly on the line "If they knock on your door..."

"Eleutheria": Very simply, this is a reggae-like track by Kravitz. While this wasn't my favorite track on the collection, it still demonstrates that Kravitz is not a one dimensional artist. It still is a track worth checking out.

The liner notes to this collection contain all of the lyrics as well as the musician credits. Overall, I think this is the album that really solidified Kravitz's status as an artist. This is truly the kind of "third album" I would expect from an artist on the rise. This is not only a collection Kravitz fans will enjoy, but great material for new fans to check out.

Really, this easily is one of the most underrated albums of the 90s. Everyone disses this album because he sounds like Hendrix here, Zeppelin there, Beatles over there. Who cares? Is it great music? Indeed. Will it change the music world? No, but he's not trying to change the music world -- only make some good music for people who enjoy it. Kravitz never claimed to be an innovator.

At least Kravitz is trying to make a "classic" album as opposed to a one or two singels and a bunch of filler -- or a dated 90s alt album that has no shelf life. This is one of those perfect summer albums that is ideal for the lazy, hazy days of summer. It amazes me now to look at my 90s collection and see stacks and stacks of CDs that I have no desire to listen to again (if I never hear Ten or Vs. again, I'd be great w/ that) but this one I can still put on and really dig.

Really, all the songs work together quite well, from soft to serious to groove to reggae to riffy and all through 60s and 70s inspired rock. Great, solid album -- highly recommended.

This is one of the most well-rounded, well-done albums in history. I still listen to this album and it has not lost anything. Let me know when you're stranded on an island and I'll send this CD to you in a bottle....and again, I'm not even a Kravitz fan....don't listen to the main reviewer.

GREAT ALBUM FROM START TILL
FINISH I HAVE NOTHING BAD TO
SAY ALL THE SONGS ARE GREAT.
I REALLY DIDNT PAY LENNY ATTENTION
UNTIL ONE OF MY HAD HIS CD IN
THEIR CD BOOKLET AND SAID LET ME BORROW THAT
CD AND SEE IF I LIKE IT OR NOT AND IT TURNED
OUT THAT I DID SO BROUGHT ALL HIS OTHER MATERIAL
WHICH IS EQUALLY ENJOYABLE AND EVERY SINCE I'VE BEENING
JAMMING TO HIS ALBUM.

It's hard to follow lenny album to album only to see people mentioning his abundant influences in a bad way. Lenny sounds like zeppelin, lenny sounds like lennon, lenny sounds like mayfield. There are so many bands and artists out there who do the same, in my opinion with less personal flare, and enthusiasm, but which are welcomed or even praised for it. Lenny is in a way like the kid in highschool who always gets frowned on for doing something even though he did the same thing that another kid was or will be welcomed for doing.

Poor lenny, it makes me feel bad for him. Because he really is a talented artist, as it can be seen in "let love rule" and "mama said", and even here, and it makes me wonder where he could have gone if he had more positive incentive, which i feel he justly deserved from his environment, for doing what seems to enjoy doing most, which is making more good music of the kind he likes to listen to.