Lenny Kravitz: A Love Revolution Review.
Rocker Calls For a Familiar Revolution.
This message, much like his 1989 album Let Love Rule is about turning a new page and setting a new kind of funk rock vibe for the soul. Kravitz knows what works best and it shows from the album’s titled song that pumps through the speakers with the old electric guitar riffs and in your face attitude that made him famous in 1990 (think of last year’s GAP commercial for a familiar sound.)
Kravitz proves that he’s no one trick pony. In fact, he recorded the whole album by himself, playing the percussion, guitar and piano for this revolutionized album. Political statements that might have seemed taboo back in the day are shouted, “It is time for a new constitution. It is time for a love revolution,” screams Kravitz in very first track. This song declares to the listener that he’s on a mission and the world is coming with him!
The Predictable Ballad
His first single from the album is I’ll Be Waiting and although the dreads he adorned are long gone, his heart is still on his sleeve like it was for the penned Lisa Bonet inspired track It Ain’t Over.. If you’ve listened to his other mellowed out ballads then you won’t be surprised, it’s the same ole thing from Mr. Kravitz, but with more urgency and a little more simplicity in the production, which focuses more on the melody line of the piano then going over the top like rock ballads tend to do.
The Unexpected Highlight
It is not the political declarations or the pleading love-lorn lyrics that highlight Kravitz emotional journey as an artist. It is the emotional, and private song A Long And Sad Goodbye, a personal salute to the singer’s late father who had a strained relationship and never patched things up before his death in early 2005. The lyrics say it all in this very heartfelt message of regret, “Papa, You meant the world to me./ Why did you abandon me?/ Now it’s a long and sad goodbye.” The track makes the record a very insightful listen into the otherwise private life of the rocker.
It’s Time For A Love Revolution
In the world of pop tarts gone bad and rock stars starring in reality shows (Gene Simmons, anyone?) It’s nice to see that Kravitz still knows what works and what doesn’t in the music industry. Still sticking to his soul-funk guns, it may not be an entirely different sound, but it sure deserves a listen if only for the lyrics and raw honesty that’s rolled into the soulful album. The rocker refuses to let America’s stale taste in music cramp his style, but really, with an album title like It's Time For A Love Revolution you can’t expect anything less.
Hot Tracks
- Back in Vietnam
- Bring it On
- Good Morning
- I Want to Go Home
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