** LENNY KRAVITZ, “5,” Virgin

Kravitz’s 1989 debut album, “Let Love Rule,” established the singer-guitarist as a revisionist whose earthy spirituality enabled him to dress up his music in various well-worn styles without coming off as derivative. On subsequent albums, however, Kravitz has taken the low road by stealing secondhand hooks and claiming them as his own.

“5” finds Kravitz continuing to pluck plum goodies from rock’s family tree. The album is a virtual pastiche of old rock and soul styles: “Live’s” melody line is nicked from Sly Stone’s “You Can Make It If You Try,” and the chunk-a-funk riff is actually pilfered from Kravitz’s own “Mama Said.” “I B Long 2 U’s” phonetic title is a dead giveaway: This is a slice of minimalist funk by way of Prince. And “It’s Your Life” so closely approximates Rufus’ “You Got the Love” that Kravitz should forward his royalty checks straight to the members of that defunct band.

Not everything on “5” sounds vaguely familiar. “Take Time” and “If You Can’t Say No” find him experimenting with stark sonic textures and soupy rhythms. But it’s certainly not enough to forgive Kravitz’s old-school cribbing.

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