Lenny Kravitz is at it again with his eighth album titled, “It is Time for a Love Revolution.” The album, which combines Kravitz’ knack for bringing a uniquely modern sound to his signature funky retro rock, is sure to be a favorite among fans. I’ve never really listened to much of his stuff in-depth in the past, so I didn’t know what to expect. The first thought that came to mind after hearing the album was that it belonged on the soundtrack of those nostalgic movies about growing up in the late 60’s early 70’s.

One of the best examples of this retro persona is in the song “Back in Vietnam.” Not only for the obvious title reference but also with his rebellious saturated lyrics such as, “We’re gonna fly over the world inside our giant eagle/ we do just what we want and don’t care if it’s illegal/ we’re on a horse that is high, we think we’re so damn regal.” Tracks like “Bring it On,” “Dancin’ Til Dawn” and title track “Love Revolution” also comply in illustrating Kravtiz’s vintage rock tendencies.

One of my favorite tracks on the album is the song “Good Morning,” which gives off a hint of a modern John Lennon. The song starts off with a strong orchestra prelude and gives way to the raw guitar riffs Kravitz is known for. With lines such as, “Get up put your feet on the ground/Wake up to an ice cold shower/ The coffee’s hot but the cream is sour,” the simplicity of the lyrics is overpowered by the strength and genius configuration in the melodies. It’s smooth, upbeat and soulful, yet still radiates rock ‘n’ roll, which makes its appeal universal.

Another favorite track on the album is the ballad “A Long and Sad Goodbye,” which sounds like it could have been written while listening to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The song is written as a son speaking to his father who abandoned his family for another woman, leaving the child to suffer with the pain. The heart wrenching lyrics from son to father, “Papa you meant that world to me/ Why did you abandon me/ Now it’s a long and sad goodbye” mixed with dark piano overtures and stinging electric climaxes effectively convey the emotion behind the song.

Kravitz has a soulful psychedelic ambiance to his songs and it’s backed up through his undeniable talent as a musician. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was listening to a compilation of cover songs. Even if some may argue for a lack of originality, it’s because of the similarity between the tracks found on “It is time for a Love Revolution” and rock legends from the past that Lenny Kravitz will continue to be a household name. This album can be enjoyed by reminiscent parents and their rock ‘n’ roll driven children alike.

Name: "It is Time for a Love Revolution "
Label: Virgin Records
Release Date: Feb., 5th 2008
My rating: 4.0 out of 5

Michelle Mitchell is a staff writer with Musiqtone. You can reach her at michellemitchell@musiqtone.com