I have always loved Lenny. He has always been a great artist with great music. I dont like alot of his older stuff. When 5 came out that was when i got turned on to him. I remember listening to this album all the time on my way to the basketball court with my friends. And around that time was when "Fly Away" and "American Woman" became big hits. So i bought the album, and i wasnt dissapointed, but there wasnt a whole lot of truly speacial matireal on it. This was one of his funk albums, not his signature Pop/Rock style. And while there were a few great tracks such as the mellow and relaxing "I Belong To U" and the smooth "Little Girls Eyes", there were also a few tracks that almost made me laugh. Such as "Black Velveteen" which was almost a techno track about... well to be honest it was about a vagina. But the biggest thing about this album was that while it did not sell a whole lot, it helped rejuvenate his career after the disaster that was Circus. People pretty much had written Lenny off as a has been after Circus, but then he put out 5 and it shot him to superstardom again. Basically this album isnt great, but its not bad either. It lays right in between somewhere.
Grade:
C+
February 6, 2008 |  | 5 is One Of Three Great Albums |  |
the other two being Let Love Rule and Mama Said. Get these three and you're set.
peace
October 29, 2006| | | One that came out of the ashes on the official death of R&R. | |
The year was 1998. Country's in turmoil as it's president whitewashes an intern's dress, and impeachment hearings have all the democrats leave the Capital. Rather bummer year indeed. It was a bummer for me personally, and it was also a bummer for rock and roll. To me this is when Rock and Roll officially died. In 1998 I got the heartbreak when I found out that Rob Halford was homosexual, alot of the music was also dying as Pearl Jam's album that year had (Gulp) strings in one of the songs, alot of the alternative groups were going more techno ala Marlyn Manson, and Jerry Cantrell in no uncertain terms made it official; Alice In Chains was done. Megadeth released an album that no one really cared about since they hadn't done anything in almost 4 years, Metallica's still trying to tone down the thrash to keep up, and now the airwaves are being dominated with safe alternative bands on the airwaves, or it's Nsync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, or Eminem. This is one of the albums that was saved from the fires of killing rock and roll. The circus album fizzled, but so did Lenny when he took part in the Kiss tribute album. Never strip down "Duece". Well anyway after almost 2 and half years away from it all. He returns with "5". I enjoyed listening, but I found it to be too focused and yet so disorganized at the same time. I love "Fly Away" which is vintage Lenny, but with some polish. Then you have my other real favorite song "I Belong To You". It's got more techno on it, and the guitar is more stripped down, but it's a pleasant sounding love song as I know it can get me in the mood anywhere; whether on a country road with my woman, or on a beach hotel in Malibu, or Honolulu. With a girl, and that song on the radio it's the perfect sex aphrodesiac. However, I feel that Lenny in his soul searching tried to stretch too much funk, techno, and rock as he would do with "American Woman". To me he should've done his best Randy Bachman guitar stunts it would've appealed to me more. I don't know what more he could've done with the album I mean it ranks up there with "Let Love Rule" as one of my favorite Lenny albums. I just feel he was pulling all the stops as he was trying to reinvent himself. A little advice Lenny. Don't let one bad album get you down. Still good, but as from the "Circus" album the one song was truly prophetic; "Rock and Roll is dead." As I said 1998 was a bummer year where the cynicism ran high, and everyone wanted to see people embarrass themselves on Jerry, or following the exploits of the country it wasn't a fun time then, and it still isn't now.
April 29, 2005My son LOVES this book. In a bookcase filled with many many books he almost always gravitates to this one. I also think it is great, the drawings are whimsical and sometimes graphic but it is all put together in a way meant to dispell anxieties in a young child - hence "Everyone Poops". I strongly recommend this book to all who have a sense of humor, and a free mind on bodily functions. It is worth it.
February 19, 2005| | | Decent with some good moments | |
I like Lenny's earlier records........after the success of this record his next albums are more him tryin' to be prince. He's should go back to makin' more good ole rock albums. I mean what the hell was up with "DIG IN?"
PS: The 10 year old hippy who was talkin' about lobsters is a fag. Yeah I too feel bad for lobsters and many other animals we tend to treat unfairly but this is suppossed to be a CD REVIEW not a discussion about animal rights, you fin' loser.
January 19, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
