It Is Time For A Love Revolution

Lenny Kravitz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 5, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000RWCRSE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,975 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"We've all got our voice. And if I have this gift to play music, then I'm gonna talk about love," Lenny Kravitz says in a YouTube promo for his eighth studio album. Understood. Got it. The fact, though, is that Kravitz could be singing about old tires or bowling shoes in these songs and it wouldn't much matter, because in the basest and most primal way possible, they rock. Opener "Love Revolution" busts out a vibe that lingers, with Lenny barking a credo--clearly in his old-school element as drums pound and guitars get abused--and loving it. Breaks come in the form of quieter songs like the Beatles-esque chill-pill "Good Morning" and the vintage Queen-like "A Long and Sad Goodbye," but the mission of Love Revolution is mostly to move the masses. And that it shall: fists will pump, feet will stomp, and attitudes will be copped. As listeners flip through the track list and discern influences as far-flung as James Brown, the Black Crowes, and Jimi Hendrix, they will feel not disdain for the lack of ingenuity but appreciation for the good sense Kravitz shows in following those artists' leads. In jumbling them up and making them his own, he proves that love revolutions need not be tame. They can be fierce. The best evidence arrives two tracks in: though "Bring It On" features the soothing sitar of Anishka Shankar, it bashes its way through the speakers as though fueled by kryptonite. It is bad-ass, in a word. And so is this album. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

As the title indicates, the album is a thunderous rock 'n roll call-to-arms featuring Kravitz singing songs of a love revolution backed by a powerful blend of soul, funk, and jazz grooves and the undeniable, anthemic lyricism that's been his trademark from day one. Globally recognized and acclaimed rock musician Lenny Kravitz kicked off this album with his"Get on the Bus with the Love Revolution" club tour of nine select markets with tickets through MySpace. Winners travel on a Kravitz-designed custom tour bus and become part of the artist's tour family on the road with full backstage access to the live concert event. The lucky winners and their guests join Lenny on the road. This is Lenny Kravitz's 8th studio album including the singles 'Bring It On' and 'I'll Be Waiting', the album is the artist's first new release in over three years. 14 tracks. Virgin Records. 2008.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock N Roll, Baby! February 9, 2008

By Josephll

Format:Audio CD

In a career of 20 years there is little Lenny Kravitz hasn't done. He tried anything from Soul "It Ain't Over Til It's Over", Love Ballads "Again" Classic Rock Revival "Are You Gonna Go My Way", Electro Rock "Black Velveteen" and commercial trademark Rock with "Fly Away" that became one of his biggest hits in 1998. But it's been awhile since Lenny's early 90's glory days when he was rocking on the charts with song after song and his albums got good ratings from both critics and consumers. As popular as 5 (REISSUED WITH 2 BONUS TRACKS) was commercially it didn't get high votes from critics and as critically acclaimed as Lenny was, it didn't work as well for the consumers. And his latest album Baptism that defenitely had its moments but was embarrasing at times aswell was completely overlooked by anyone and only went gold. 4 years later Lenny has recovered well and he goes way back to Classic Rock, anyone recalls his Jimi Hendrix tribute "Are You Gonna Go my Way" and the more devote fans will also give him credit for his Guess Who cover "American Woman" but "It's Time For A Love Revolution" goes one step further, it's entirely Classic Rock with lethal riffs, amazing guitar solo's and high energy til the end. Sound wise it doesn't sound a day older then 1971 but it's faithful to the days when Rock music was still good and mattered.... Many of the songs here are very simular in sound to Led Zeppelin (Infact a few are almost too simular) but it's classic Rock at it's best and if you like how Rock was in the old days with Heavy Metal and Beatlesque Psychedelia you're gonna enjoy this album quite alot.

The album starts in fast pace with the title track which is one of the highlights. As a fan of classic rock this was a guilty pleasure of mine. The second song "Bring It On" opens very simular to the Stones's "Can't You Hear Me Knockin" with it's riff, not bad but considering that most Lenny songs highlights the sound it's becomes quite evident. "Good Morning" doesn't say much with it's lyrics but it's a beatlesque midtempo that feature strings and plenty of nice riffs. "Love Love Love" is another riff driven song about how you become complete when you found love. "If You Want It" starts as a ballad with sparse arrangements but eventually it turns out to be another rocker with a fierce guitar solo. A great Rock-ballad in midpace is "I'll Be Waiting" that also got strings. Not surprisingly it's also a single. "Will You Marry Me" is simular to Led Zeppelin's "The Crunge" and got a very funky sound with it's synth riff and is the closest you get to Lenny's Soul past. "I Love The Rain" resembles Zep's trademark folk ballads and just like Jimmy Page, Lenny knows how to handle his guitar. "A Long And Sad Goodbye" is a farewell to his recently deceased father. A melancholy midtempo. "Dancin Til Dawn" is funky soul-rock aswell and would make Thin Lizzy honoured. "A Moment Is All There Is" is one of the slower songs and got a nice blues guitar solo in the end, but compared to the almost acoustic "New Door" it doesn't say much. This is the only song without guitars riffs included but it got a piano. "Back in Vietnam" is about the Iraq war, another rocker that resembles the bluesy guitar sound from Canned Heat. The closer is called "I Want To Go Home" and is a decent midtempo.

Overall, In a time where few bands can Rock and the closest you get to real Rock N Roll is mediocre Garage Rock Bands, so called Punk Revivals and an myriad of Alternative bands that vary in quality, then you have to cherish the few classic rock albums that are released. For once, Lenny delivers an album that both feel coherant and trusthworthy and from song 1 to 14 you get riffs, solos and alot of energy just like in the old days. Having said that, this is a welcome release and stands as Lenny finest effort since Are You Gonna Go My Way which sais alot about this album. However, If you like Lenny's more commerical offers then you may not apreciate this album, but if you're a fan of classic rock then it's warmly recommended. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Lenny Kravitz: Slight Return April 6, 2008

By Bryan L. Walter

Format:Audio CD

For anyone who has been a fan of Lenny Kravitz from his first album, "Let Love Rule", this will indeed be a "slight return" to his
old form. Several tracks, including "Love Revolution", "Bring It On" and "Love Love Love" remind me of the feel of Lenny's earlier work.
However, there are also several tracks that feel forced, and almost
silly in their simplicity ("I Love The Rain" and "Back In Vietnam").
After Lenny's recent "pop" successes, I take comfort in the
fact that the Lenny I first became a fan of is still in there somewhere,
writing songs.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a grower February 8, 2008

By Tommy M.

Format:Audio CD

Kravitz often comes across as a musician who's so meticulous about getting that vintage sound that he forgets to be inspired. That meticulousness can end up making the production just a little too slick. To complicate matters, he's heavy on catchy riffs and anthemic choruses, while often light on lyrics and adventurousness.

Personally, I think the single, "I'll Be Waiting," is one of the weaker tracks on the album, although it is representative of his sound. I would much sooner take the title song, or "Bring It On," "If You Want It," "I Love the Rain," or "Dancin' Til Dawn" with its smoking sax solo.

Once you get past the almost-precious trappings of the sound, you'll notice how much Kravitz is enjoying himself. And on those tracks I mentioned above, it's infectious. He slips through Southern fried rock, AOR, The Strokes, and Tattoo You-era Stones, and you have to admire his enthusiasm for the charm of rock n' roll in its many incarnations. The filler tracks kinda stand out for what they are, though.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Time for a Lenny Kravitz revolution February 23, 2008

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

"It is time for a love revolution" is retro rocker Lenny Kravitz's eighth studio album, and along with "5" is my favourite. At #4 in the US, it's his second highest charting album (his Greatest Hits got to #2) and his highest charting studio effort.

Announcing that it is time for a love revolution is upbeat rocker "Love revolution" (with spiritual lyrics). Still on the upbeat side of things are "Bring it on" with a blistering guitar riff, and some sitar from Anishka Shankar (Norah Jones' sister), the thumping "Love love love", which along with the brilliant dance/rock of "Dancin' til dawn' (with a nice sax solo; one of my favourites) wouldn't sound out of place on a Red Hot Chili Peppers album. For "Will you marry me", I was expecting to hear a ballad. What we get is James Brown meets Jimi Hendrix; a retro funk song with skittery beats and heavy electric guitar. Great! "Back in Vietnam" has a riff vaguely reminiscent of the Rolling Stone's "Satisfaction".

Slowing things down are the chugging "Good morning", the lightly country tinged "If you want it", the lovely piano sprinkled "I'll be waiting" (remember "Again"?), the awesome melancholic "I love the rain" with fantastic weeping guitar riffs, the introspective theatrical "A long and sad goodbye" (a beautiful epic ballad about the impact his father's leaving after divorce had on the family, as well as the effect of his recent death on Lenny - Papa you meant the world to me, why did you abandon me?) which has a fantastic guitar solo at the end, much like The Eagle's "Hotel California", the soulful "This moment is all there is", the stripped piano Beatles-esque "A new door" (with again spiritual lyrics), and the soulful "I want to go home"....

The Japanese version has 2 bonus tracks which are both brilliant; the reggae tinged falsetto sung "Uncharted terrain". Remember Terence Trent D'arby's 1987 hit "Sign your name"? It's a bit like that. The other is the blues song "Confused" with a great guitar solo and impassioned soulful vocals.

Produced and mostly played by Lenny, this album is amazing. It is time for a Lenny Kravitz revolution. Read more ›