Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule

Simply Awesome

Just pure honest rock n roll brimming with passion. The title track is just stunning. I Built This Garden For Us is another standout track. Although much of the music is hard rock there are some nice softer toned pieces like Sitting On Top of the World. Much commentary about the prejudice Mr. Kravitz as faced. Just listen to Does Anybody Really Care?, Fear, and Mr. Cab Driver.

An awesome debut on all levels. December 1, 2007

The Next Generation of the Minneapolis Sound

The 1980s saw the rise of a new subgenre of pop music known as the "Minneapolis Sound". The "Minneapolis Sound" contained a mixture of Funk, Pop, R&B, and Rock. The artist that is considered one of the leading architects of this sound was Prince. When Prince formed his own record label - "Paisley Park", many of the artists that Prince recruited for that label or artists that Prince mentored were considered a part of the "Minneapolis Sound". As the 1980s came to a close, many of the artists associated with Paisley Park began to struggle both commercially and critically. However the "Minneapolis Sound" had made its lasting imprint on the music industry. It would pave the way for a whole new generation of artists going into the 1990s. While not ever associated with the "Minneapolis Sound", one such artist who clearly adopted the sound was Lenny Kravitz. In 1989, Kravitz would release his debut album entitled "Let Love Rule". "Let Love Rule" would contain a mixture of Funk and Rock and would add a retro flair to it. It would establish the foundation for what is to surely become a Hall of Fame career for Kravitz.

I think that Kravitz hits the three main dimensions that I expect from a successful solo artist: Vocals, Instrumentation, and Songwriting. On top of these three dimensions, Kravitz cross all of these dimensions by incorporating the "Minneapolis Sound". Whether it is hard Rock, R&B, or Funk - Kravitz finds ways to incorporate these styles and more into his music. This clearly shows that Kravitz was influenced by Prince - who also incorporated similar styles into his music. "Let Love Rule" takes us back to the beginning and the quality of each track demonstrates the potential that Kravitz would have as an artist (and live up to). Most notably, Kravitz would make a name for himself as a premier guitarist - and this album shows it.

Here is a song by song review of "Let Love Rule":

"Sittin' on Top of the World": This is the opening track. The song opens with an acoustic feel and then incorporates a funk groove into it. While this song didn't bowl me over, the acoustic and funk feel did demonstrate some good musical elements.

"Let Love Rule": This song showed stronger vocals by Kravitz than on the opening the track. This track has both an acoustic and electric feel to it. The use of the organ and saxophone augment this song perfectly at the right times. I particularly like the "musical jam" toward the end of the song.

"Freedom Train": While it isn't a perfect segue, "Let Love Rule" has a segue into "Freedom Train". Once "Freedom Train" begins, this incorporates a stronger Funk groove to it. Kravitz does incorporate more use of the saxophone on this track. I particularly like how Kravitz slightly uses the electric guitars. Overall a good track and despite the "rough" segue, it sounds great following "Let Love Rule".

"My Precious Love": This song has a 1960s R&B feel to it. While you can draw some analogies to Prince delivering a similar style with the vocals, this song almost sounds like a "male version" of Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman". Kravitz once again shines on this track.

"I Build This Garden For Us": This song incorporates a psychedelic feel to it. This is also something that has been seen in the "Minneapolis Sound". I found this to be the best track on the collection as Kravitz pulls this off flawlessly. The string arrangements almost have a Beatles feel to it. Once again, Kravitz makes some "subtle" use of the electric guitars, but most importantly he shines on the vocals.

"Fear": This song also has a psychedelic feel to it. This song was co-written by Kravitz's ex-wife, Lisa Bonet. I liked the verses, but the chorus didn't "hook" me like a good chorus should.

"Does Anybody Out There Even Care": This track incorporates a lot of good elements by Kravitz. You will hear the song start out with a soft R&B feel followed by the heavier electric guitar work on the chorus. The second verse actually takes on more of the 1960s R&B feel to it. Finally the latter verses incorporate some of the Funk elements. Overall this was a tough song to classify, but it demonstrates the versatility of Kravitz.

"Mr Cab Driver": Next to "I Build This Garden For Us", this is the next best song. This song deals with an experience that Kravitz had with a cab driver and incorporates the theme of racism. Overall, Kravitz brings elements of realism to the experience he had. Perhaps the song's most interesting element is the outstanding bass line that is heard throughout most of the song. Kravitz also makes use of the electric guitars effectively and once again incorporates the saxophone very well.

"Rosemary": This is another song that Kravitz co-wrote with Bonet. This song goes back to the acoustic feel heard on the opening track. On this song, we hear something not normally heard on "official Minneapolis Sound" artists - a harmonica. .

"Be": Terrific track. This song has more of a soft R&B feel. Kravitz delivers very passionate vocals on this track. This song also uses some terrific string arrangements.

"Blues For Sister Someone": This song also has a psychedelic feel to it. Not a bad song, but didn't have me doing handstands.

"Empty Hands": This is another great song. Kravitz creates a "Western" feel to the song with both his vocals and the acoustic guitar. This was a very enjoyable track.

"Flower Child": Despite the name and references, this song doesn't have a psychedelic feel until the end of the song - when it reminds me of the Beatles "The End". Another enjoyable track.

The liner notes include the lyrics. Overall this song continues and expands the legacy started by the "Minneapolis Sound" in the 1980s and establishes a terrific foundation for Kravitz's own career. Highly recommended. September 29, 2007

must have, his best album

Now I don't have any of Lenny's album's past '5', and I have all of them up to that point, except Circus. But, based on that I'd have to say this is my favorite album by him. I got this like 9 years ago and the CD is still in 50 -disk CD changer. Other ones come and go but this one always stay. I'm reviewing it right now because it actually just came around on my stereo again. This CD doesn't have fancy funky bass or good electronica like the newer Lenny. It has raw Lenny with feeling. The tracks just never get old. The lyrics to all the songs have a very hippy progressive fight the power feel to them and when Lenny sings them, he puts just the right emotion into them. The slower songs are very soulful and the faster songs are exciting, but still keep their meaning & strong feeling. This is indeed an album in the true sense of the word. Every song is worth the random play. If you get one album from him, this is the one you should have. January 16, 2007

IT'S LENNY

Another reviewer said "He seems to know precisely what he wants to say on this album; trouble is, it's all been said before." My response to that is this, how many rock bands out there today are doing something that HASN'T been done before? How many rock bands are actually unique and different? We all know the REAl answer is NOT MANY!
If I only purchased CDs of artists or bands who are doing something that hasn't been done before then I wouldn't have the chance to buy many CDs. NIRVANA, for all their popularity, were doing NOTHING new. Sorry folks, calling it Grunge did not make it new. Same with Pearl Jam. If you like Lenny, get the CD and make up your own mind. If you don't like Lenny then it doesn't matter how original he may or may not be. It's not rocket science folks! August 2, 2006

I love it, and it Rules.

I became a Lenny Kravitz fan the moment I heard the song "Let Love Rule" back in 1989. I'm still a fan now, but I was obsessed with this debut and "Mama Said". He was even my first concert ever, though he opened for Tom Petty. Anyway, front to back this is one of his best, and he shows us right away that he can rock, and drop a nice slow song as well. After the title track, I especially like "I Built This Garden For Us", "Rosemary", "My Precious Love", and "Blues For Sister Someone". We also get a dose of spirituality on a few songs, like on the great "Empty Hands". I also own the LP of this, but it only has the first 10 tracks, so watch out for that. Much like The Black Crowes, Lenny wears his influences on his sleeve, but I wouldn't want it any other way. May 29, 2005

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