Lenny Kravitz: It Is Time For a Love Revolution
Monday, 04 Feb 2008 19:25
Lenny hopes for a changing of the tide with his ninth studio album.
Virgin, out now.
In a nutshell...
Predictable, Rock, Funk, Quality, Retro
What's it all about?
Lenny's latest release contains everything we have come to expect from the US rocker. Predictable, guitar-driven, melodic, love–obsessed and instantly likeable semi- psychedelic rock funk.
Who's it by?
Lenny Kravitz is a musician who can be described as unique in both his style and talent. The release of his second album, Mama Said (1991) launched him to global stardom and shone in a market dominated by 80s hair rock. A hybrid talent, he filled this and subsequent albums with a rare fusion of funk, soul and psychedelic rock. His third release, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) set the standard of much that was to follow. Kravitz hasn't changed with the times and for good reason too. Like Prince, he plays just about every instrument in the studio – and plays them well.
As an example...
"It's getting heavy, but I'm ready" and "I got love, I got love, love, I got love, love, love", don't do the album much justice.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys?
No prizes for this album, just a place alongside his others on the shelves of long-term fans.
What the others say
"It's Time For A Love Revolution, his eighth LP, easily ranks among his highest achievements." - Now
"Ultimately bogged down by spirituality, guitar solos and soppy ballads, this comeback should nonetheless win Kravitz a few hearts, even if he doesn't discover a soulmate." - Guardian
So is it any good?
Lenny Kravitz' obsession with world love continues with It Is Time For a Love Revoloution and it sounds like everything he has previously released. Same loved-up rock delivery and occasional Hendrix homage.
Like earlier albums, this record's title track, the surprisingly titled Love Revolution, is its most disappointing. Kravitz fails to shine until Good Morning, when his "top of the morning" lyric acts as a wake-up call. From here the coffee kicks in and we are treat to arguably his best release since 1998's 5.
Love, Love Love is driven by a repetitive rolling melody. Throughout the track he rejects the hedonism of success, "don't need no penthouse mansion/don't need no Paris fashion", before a Chili Peppers' moment helps him release the remaining songs from anonymity.
Only Lenny Kravitz can get away with such lyrical complexities as "I love the rain, I love the rain, I love the rain". But if you can handle this and the syrup sweet song writing, it is a very strong album.
8/10
Mark Pawlak 
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