It Is Time For A Love Revolution Review

Release Date: Feb 5, 2008
Label: Virgin Records
Genres: Rock
Number Of Tracks: 14
Lenny Kravitz’s guitar work remains strong on the new album, but the core songwriting doesn’t always follow suit.

Sound:	7.5
Lyrics:	7
Impression:	7.5
Overall rating:	7.3
Users rating:	8.4
Comments:	28

overall: 6.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on february 12, 2008

Sound: Taking a cue from his debut record Let Love Rule, Lenny Kravitz is once again ready to spread the hugs. His latest release It’s Time For A Love Revolution remains true to the Kravitz sound we’ve come to know over the years, with radio-friendly rock tunes that are filled with positive messages -- even with some religious overtones this time around. In terms of music, there are no huge surprises, either. If you’ve been a fan of songs like “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” and “Fly Away,” the newest collection of 14 songs should still satisfy, but only a few reach the riff genius of “Mama Said.” While there are a few tracks that feature some great funky elements and inspired solos, most of the songs tend to go on too long and unfortunately get a little tired by the end.

Just from hearing the title, you might assume that “Love Revolution” would be a throwback to the laid-back style of “Let Love Rule,” but it could be more succinctly described as a rock-dance track. It’s a great opener and one of the better songs on the CD. While the title might scare some people off, the music is really fun and will likely find a comfy spot on the radio. Interestingly enough, it kind of sounds like Kiss’ “C’mon and Love Me,” which depending on the listener, could be an awesome or horrible thing.

A few of the songs on It’s Time For A Love Revolution definitely have a vintage vibe. “Bring It On” is an original number, but the intro actually sounds quite similar to “American Woman,” which Kravitz did a cover of back in 1999. The similarities don’t linger too long on that particular track and it thankfully has a unique sound by the time Kravitz sings the first line of the verse. “Good Morning” has it's vintage moments as well when it goes into full Beatles’ mode, with the harmonies sounding very reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper’s.

“A Long And Sad Goodbye” is hands-down the best track on the CD, with some very cool, bluesy guitar work at the beginning. Kravitz is at his best when he veers away from the radio singles and opts for a more honest, gritty vibe. The track proves that Kravitz is definitely capable of writing some incredible music, but as with many of the other songs on the album, it goes on way too long. Many of the tracks either suffer from being too repetitive or too long, and just a little editing here and there could have really been a great help. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: Kravitz has proven over the years that solid music can make up for repetitive lyrics. There will be those out there who love Kravitz’s lyrical style, but just glancing over the liner notes shows that the singer does get rather long-winded at times. The perfect example would be in “Love, Love, Love” when Kravitz sings, “Don’t need no plastic surgery; Don’t need no country clubs; Don’t need no butlers, cooks, or maids; Don’t need no marijuana; Don’t need no ecstasy.” And it goes on and on and on. It may click with some listeners, but it wouldn’t hurt to try for a little variety. // 6

Impression: Kravitz is a fantastic guitarist and he rightly showcases those skills once again on It’s Time For A Love Revolution. It’s during the moments when you do hear a solo or a funky riff (check out “Will You Marry Me”) that Kravitz’s true talent comes through. He does get carried away on the new album and can’t seem to end a song at the right time, though. That’s precisely when you start feeling the need to push fast forward to get things moving along a little more rapidly. Unfortunately, many of the 14 songs fall into this trap, and the end result is a promising album that doesn’t quite live up to it's potential. // 7

overall: 8

Reviewed by: sweetpeasuzie, on february 12, 2008

Sound: Lenny Kravitz has returned with his blend of nostalgic fuzz rock and hippie pop resonating through his latest release It Is Time For A Love Revolution from Virgin Records. Produced and arranged by Lenny Kravitz, the album has a Sgt. Pepper’s feel permeating it's psychedelic leanings and a soul rock filament lighting it's melodic flow. The songs have the effect of a sonic aphrodisiac harnessing swirls of guitar rock and orchestral tones filling up the drum swells. Tracks like “If You Want It’ and “Dancin’ Til Dawn” devise slopes of highs and lows and groves of funky horns traipsing through the latter. Kravitz still shows signs of Prince’s funk-rock gyrations in tunes like “Love Love Love” and “Will You Marry Me,” and slices of classic rock with a Jimi Hendrix stylizing on numbers like “Love Revolution” and “Bring It On.” Kravitz also delves into complimenting feng shui patterns using modern orchestral textures and classic piano bolts on songs like “I’ll Be Waiting” and the gentle swaying tempo of “I Want To Go Home.” The wispy ballad “A New Door” is relatable to Joe Cocker’s single “You Are So Beautiful To Me” and the soft rock guitar riffs and vocal overdubs of “A Long And Sad Goodbye” have meaningful lyrics and a pensive aura reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne’s hit song “Mama I’m Coming Home.” On the surface, Kravitz and Osbourne are on different sides of the music spectrum. Kravitz, being American, puts soul and funk into his rock mixtures, whereas Osbourne, coming from England, has a heavy metal background, but after listening to “A Long And Sad Goodbye,” Kravitz and Osbourne sound like they could have come from the same household. Kravitz really expands on his talent for creating memorable melodic hooks on It Is Time For A Love Revolution, though his voice sounds exactly the same as you may remember it from his single “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Kravitz’s lyrics are reflections about life with words of love strewing “Will You Marry Me” to words about sorrow in “I Love The Rain,” but some of the lyrics which really penetrate the listener’s thoughts are from “A Long And Sad Goodbye.” Kravitz cries out in the song, “Papa, who’s to blame/ Why you never made your fortune and fame/ Papa, what do you gain/ To leave the love you had for a two-bit dame/ Papa, why do you turn your back/ Why don’t you stay on track/ Why do you leave and make her cry/ Papa, you mean the world to me/ Why do you abandon me/ Now it’s a long and sad goodbye.” There is always someone in your life who makes you feel like you’ve been abandoned, which really makes these lyrics dig in deep into those wounds. The music and vocals are really well done and crafted to make optimal impact on the listener. // 8

Impression: If you are familiar with and liked Lenny Kravitz’s past hits like “I Build This Garden For Us,” “Mama Said,” and “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” then these songs are no surprise to you and this album is sure to be to your liking. The album is less club music and more classic rock studded, something like Earth, Wind and Fire meets The Eagles especially on the track “Back In Vietnam.” There is an omnipresence of the ‘60s Haight-Ashbury music blowing through Kravitz’s songs, which is a wind that has blown through his previous albums and It Is Time For A Love Revolution is no exception. // 8

Comments

[red157]

This dude has always seemed somewhat of a failure. I'm sure the dude has a skip full of hundred dollar notes, so he's a success in that aspect. But he fails at being good.

[funk-soul-dude]

i agree :/
He thinks he's Hendrix but he really isnt.
dont get me wrong, he has some catchy tunes, but nothing amazing or ledgendary. he's not as good as he thinks he is.


and he's wayyyy too vain!

[metal_dan]

i don't know how he keeps making music; it seems like every one of his records has been a dud ever since i can remember
can't record companies like... cut you off? like at the bar?
alright, lenny. we better call you a cab, you've had way more than enough for tonight.

[SchitzoJoe]

Aw, come on, guys. He's not THAT bad. I might even check this album out. True, he may be big-headed, but this album might not be too bad.

[Ixthyx]

He had some funky stuff in the 90s, but without a barrage of guitar riffs and grooves he can't hide his crappy songwriting, and lyrics like "I've been searching for you, I heard a cry within my soul, I've never had a yearning quite like this before, Now here you are walking right through my door" are out on display.

I like him, but I wont be buying the CD.

[freakypop]

its not that he isent good at guitar its that he hasent tooken enoth acid to sound like jimi

[mrjimborinsane]

lennys ok, that album baptism was ok. the only problem is that all his songs sound the same. true his lyrics can be pretty weak at times, but its ok. i just kinda wish he'd spend less time playing piano and more time on the guitar, like when he did that song "always on the run" with slash, or "mama said", or "american woman".

he needs to get a pair and start writing more rock n roll and less soft rock.

maybe thats just me tho..

[Vauxite]

He needs Slash again..
that song was kickass...

[bwalter32]

i think you ate too much acid to remember how to use the english language.

freakypop wrote:

its not that he isent good at guitar its that he hasent tooken enoth acid to sound like jimi

[brandonmontana]

bwalter32 is a jeeeeniuss

[dgme92]

I dunno, I'm quite fond of his music, and I was thinking of buying the album anyway. His music is just very appealing to my ears, I could listen to 'Fly Away' for an hour solid.

[That-Funny-Guy]

lenny kravits freakin rox!

[Crimson Ghost]

red157 wrote:

This dude has always seemed somewhat of a failure. I'm sure the dude has a skip full of hundred dollar notes, so he's a success in that aspect. But he fails at being good.

funk-soul-dude wrote:

i agree :/
He thinks he's Hendrix but he really isnt.
dont get me wrong, he has some catchy tunes, but nothing amazing or ledgendary. he's not as good as he thinks he is.


and he's wayyyy too vain!

you guys are both extremely wrong, i thought he was alright so i decided to go to one of his shows last month

ive been to hundreds of shows and that's definitely one of my top ones. He's a great performer and puts on one hell of a show, my friend doesnt even like his music and was blown away after seeing him.

[aeroj06]

i know, he does not think hes hendrix

i like lenny, i like the album

whatever

[EMGibson]

number one, the acid thing. it wouldnt help him to make good music anyways. hed probably try to eat his guitar rather than play it. lol

number two. hes the one playing on stages, not jerking off at home wishing his name was known by millions. hes doing what im sure at least half of us want to be doing one day. so in that aspect i do give him credit.

HOWEVER!!!! his music sucks. the only talent he has is being half clever with mixing his riffs with the tone of his voice. (which isnt hard when youve been playing as long as he has)

[SideshowRaven24]

freakypop wrote:

its not that he isent good at guitar its that he hasent tooken enoth acid to sound like jimi

haha wow

[last_biscuit]

mrjimborinsane wrote:

lennys ok, that album baptism was ok. the only problem is that all his songs sound the same. true his lyrics can be pretty weak at times, but its ok. i just kinda wish he'd spend less time playing piano and more time on the guitar, like when he did that song "always on the run" with slash, or "mama said", or "american woman".

he needs to get a pair and start writing more rock n roll and less soft rock.

maybe thats just me tho..

Just pointing out...as for writing more rock songs, he didn't write American Woman. He covered it, the original artist was a band called Krokus (I think).

checked

[jxmxaxn]

last_biscuit wrote:

mrjimborinsane wrote:

lennys ok, that album baptism was ok. the only problem is that all his songs sound the same. true his lyrics can be pretty weak at times, but its ok. i just kinda wish he'd spend less time playing piano and more time on the guitar, like when he did that song "always on the run" with slash, or "mama said", or "american woman".

he needs to get a pair and start writing more rock n roll and less soft rock.

maybe thats just me tho..

Just pointing out...as for writing more rock songs, he didn't write American Woman. He covered it, the original artist was a band called Krokus (I think).

I thought it was the who that made it first, but i could be wrong. they may have covered it as well.

[jxmxaxn]

jxmxaxn wrote:


I thought it was the who that made it first, but i could be wrong. they may have covered it as well.

Oops i mean the guess who, or at least thats what my itunes says.

[area18hanger51]

it wasn't the who who wrote american woman ore krokus r whatever it was the guess who who wrote it!

[area18hanger51]

thank you

[ldzppln81]

you guys are *******s. just because he isnt an insane soloist you think he sucks. he has incredible rythm and is a fantastic musician. who plays multiple insruments

[harrisonmon]

I don't think he sounds like he's hendrix...I don't think he does, either. he's lenny kravitz...hands down, this album kicks some ass...

[dsotm73]

I'm not surprised by the some comments here...this site (not all, but a lot) is full of metal heads and close-minded elitist people who are too full of themselves to open their minds to different music. Lenny Kravitz kicks ass, he writes great music, it's catchy, it sells (most of his albums are platinum or higher), he puts on one of the best shows I've ever been to, and he's a TRUE musician, no lip-syncing or dubs during his concerts, he's straight up rock & roll. So what if the lyrics aren't "Shakespeare" quality? The Beatles' early pop songs were filled with tripe lyrics, and people still love them. Lenny Kravitz is a has become underrated since the end of the 90's, which is really a shame. He's one of the few true straight up rock & rollers left out there and I really hope some of you get your heads out of your asses. This album kicks ass, I'll Be Waiting is such a good song

[Bling Dogg]

dsotm73 wrote:

I'm not surprised by the some comments here...this site (not all, but a lot) is full of metal heads and close-minded elitist people who are too full of themselves to open their minds to different music. Lenny Kravitz kicks ass, he writes great music, it's catchy, it sells (most of his albums are platinum or higher), he puts on one of the best shows I've ever been to, and he's a TRUE musician, no lip-syncing or dubs during his concerts, he's straight up rock & roll. So what if the lyrics aren't "Shakespeare" quality? The Beatles' early pop songs were filled with tripe lyrics, and people still love them. Lenny Kravitz is a has become underrated since the end of the 90's, which is really a shame. He's one of the few true straight up rock & rollers left out there and I really hope some of you get your heads out of your asses. This album kicks ass, I'll Be Waiting is such a good song

Yes!! Thank-you for this great post! I like Lenny Kravitz' music, he's really talented and has been putting out good music for years. There's too many ignorant people here...

[rhyme2zone]

me being a heavy metal, hard rock, any other type of metal except deathcore fan, find this type of music very very good and soothing. Very vintage and i love his guitar playing.

[Amadeus Cormano]

its a good album but i think he became repetitive over the years