Circus

Reviews assailed early Lenny Kravitz records for copying his idols (John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix) way too closely. Circus broke that cycle. Four albums into his discography, either Kravitz finally found his own voice or critics finally tired of dissecting his work looking for classic-rock roots. Lead single “Rock and Roll Is Dead” prompted an immediate answer record from Prince; the recent death of Kurt Cobain haunts “Don’t Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head.” Circus also marks his final album using the analog studio equipment of Waterfront Studios, including The Beatles’ original EMI recording consoles.