Lenny Kravitz
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Lenny Kravitz's eighth CD, entitled It Is Time For a Love Revolution, should be changed to It Is Time For a New Music Revolution. The John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix vibe that he delivered on his classic debut Let Love Rule has now given way to sappy ballads and uninspired rock anthems like the title track that leads off this latest set. Keep in mind that this is the same man who once delivered hot tracks like "Always On the Run" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and was poised to become the next God of Rock N' Roll.
…Lenny Kravitz's eighth CD, entitled It Is Time For a Love Revolution, should be changed to It Is Time For a New Music Revolution. The John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix vibe that he delivered on his classic debut Let Love Rule has now given way to sappy ballads and uninspired rock anthems like the title track that leads off this latest set. Keep in mind that this is the same man who once delivered hot tracks like "Always On the Run" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and was poised to become the next God of Rock N' Roll.
Either the creative well has run dry for Kravitz or he has become too comfortable after the pop success of 1998's 5, which catapulted him to superstardom. Most of the material of It Is Time... sounds like outtakes from older Kravitz LP's or blatant rip-offs of songs from other artists. For example, the second track, "Bring It On," starts off with a guitar riff very similar to Hendrix's "Beginnings," as the drum pattern that has infused other Kravitz recordings kicks into high gear. The other song with the word "love" in the title - "Love Love Love" - sounds like "Tunnel Vision" rehashed from the 1995 project, Circus, even right down to the lyrics in which he speaks of what he doesn't need or want. "If You Want It" is basically 1993's "Believe" redux and comes across sounding tired and dull. However, all is not lost as the current single, "I'll Be Waiting," gives you a glimpse of what Kravitz is musically capable of creating.
A weak attempt at a James Brown feel is all over "Will You Marry Me," right down to JB's signature grunt of "wait a minute." "Dancin' Til Dawn" sounds so much like the Rolling Stones' "Missing You" that I was just waiting at any moment for Kravitz to break out with the "do do do do do da do" line (but it never came). By the time the "Dig In" sounding track "Back In Vietnam" resonated from the speakers, it was painfully obvious that It Is Time... is just as misguided and disappointing as his previous effort, 2004's Baptism.
Maybe after 1998 Kravitz developed the mind state of "build and they will come." But in this new music industry, that is no longer gospel as consumers buy less records from veterans such as Prince, Santana, and now Kravitz. Word has it that Kravitz will resort to giving away copies of his new project in a British publication in the same manner as His Royal Badness. That might not be a bad idea for this CD after all. Kravitz wants us all to believe that It Is Time For a Love Revolution and that he will lead the charge but in all honesty - would you buy a revolution from this man?
If you are a no-holds barred, true fan of Kravitz's music, then this is for you. Otherwise, just hope and pray that one day he will give his fans what they really want -- the on-again, off-again Funk CD that hopefully will be released on the same day as Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy.
By Christopher Whaley
Either the creative well has run dry for Kravitz or he has become too comfortable after the pop success of 1998's 5, which catapulted him to superstardom. Most of the material of It Is Time... sounds like outtakes from older Kravitz LP's or blatant rip-offs of songs from other artists. For example, the second track, "Bring It On," starts off with a guitar riff very similar to Hendrix's "Beginnings," as the drum pattern that has infused other Kravitz recordings kicks into high gear. The other song with the word "love" in the title - "Love Love Love" - sounds like "Tunnel Vision" rehashed from the 1995 project, Circus, even right down to the lyrics in which he speaks of what he doesn't need or want. "If You Want It" is basically 1993's "Believe" redux and comes across sounding tired and dull. However, all is not lost as the current single, "I'll Be Waiting," gives you a glimpse of what Kravitz is musically capable of creating.
A weak attempt at a James Brown feel is all over "Will You Marry Me," right down to JB's signature grunt of "wait a minute." "Dancin' Til Dawn" sounds so much like the Rolling Stones' "Missing You" that I was just waiting at any moment for Kravitz to break out with the "do do do do do da do" line (but it never came). By the time the "Dig In" sounding track "Back In Vietnam" resonated from the speakers, it was painfully obvious that It Is Time... is just as misguided and disappointing as his previous effort, 2004's Baptism.
Maybe after 1998 Kravitz developed the mind state of "build and they will come." But in this new music industry, that is no longer gospel as consumers buy less records from veterans such as Prince, Santana, and now Kravitz. Word has it that Kravitz will resort to giving away copies of his new project in a British publication in the same manner as His Royal Badness. That might not be a bad idea for this CD after all. Kravitz wants us all to believe that It Is Time For a Love Revolution and that he will lead the charge but in all honesty - would you buy a revolution from this man?
If you are a no-holds barred, true fan of Kravitz's music, then this is for you. Otherwise, just hope and pray that one day he will give his fans what they really want -- the on-again, off-again Funk CD that hopefully will be released on the same day as Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy.
By Christopher Whaley