Feb 19, 2008 By Clint Rhodes 3 min read

During the 1960s, all we needed was love. Now, it’s time for a complete revolution – a love revolution to be specific. With his latest release, Lenny Kravitz continues to spread his message of love. Nineteen years after his debut, Let Love Rule, Kravitz has rekindled a love revival with a collection of songs about love, spirituality and freedom. Kravitz has always been cool personified, and he once again proves that he has the talent to back up the seductive looks. Love Revolution kicks off the album with a crunching guitar riff and infectious chorus that sets the stage for a sequence of songs containing styles of vintage rock, soul and funk. His Led Zeppelin influence is heard on the boisterous “Bring It On.” Images of Jimmy Page are summoned through the sharp and methodical guitar riffs as Kravitz sings, “It’s getting heavy/But I’m ready/To take on this world and rock steady/So come on, bring it on.” (It’s always refreshing to hear a Bad Company reference.) On “Love, Love, Love” we find a man content with his surroundings as he declares, “There ain’t nothing you can give me, I’m already there/I got love.” That basically sums up the entire album. Kravitz gets spiritual on “If You Want It” by singing, “So drop your chains and take up your cross/And let Jesus make your way/If you want it/You can change.” Looking for a combination of old-school funk and heartfelt soul? “Will You Marry Me” combines the funk groove of James Brown, with the smooth vocal style of Prince. Together it’s an irresistible explosion that announces that funk is indeed in the house. On his eighth studio release, Kravitz controls the show, while acting as producer, writer, singer and musician. His arrangements are intimate, passionate and delivered with a sincerity of a man who seems to have found the answer to it all. Gone are the days of Heather Graham seductively dancing to Kravitz’s cover of “American Woman” with the American flag serving as a backdrop. Just as love grows and matures, Kravtiz seems to as well. Perhaps the only out of place song on the album is the topical “Back in Vietnam.” I tend to like my protest songs with a little more angst and disillusion, instead of containing a contagious dance beat and sing-along chorus. This four-time Grammy Award winner appears to be back on track and poised to return to the spotlight. The Beatles were indeed right. Love is all we really need. Over 40 years later, Kravitz reassures us by announcing, “This love will never leave you/This love will never let you go.” Viva la Love Revolution!