Let Love Rule

Lenny Kravitz wants you to know three things: Love is good, Hate is bad, and he listened to a lot of his parent's records while he was going to Beverly Hills High School. Let Love Rule's musical offerings of peace and love are so insipid and empty that it's hard to imagine him having anything but a cushy upbringing—take how Klan lynchings are mentioned in passing on one track, but don't weigh quite as heavily on Kravitz's mind as the racial injustice the entire next song is dedicated to: him being unable to catch a cab. With a complete lack of nuance, it just sounds like a studio version of a dude with an acoustic guitar sitting below a tree on a college campus trying to get laid, which is maybe not the best idea when you're already married to Lisa Bonet. Key Tracks: Blues for Sister Someone

“We have Prince at home.” The Prince at home:

.5 all kravitz albums are ten stars by default due to the ripped pants penis flop video. however every song on this album takes away .5 stars from this rating. so overall .5 stars because zero stars don’t exist. https://66.media.tumblr.com/e8123b078d94d8b0d61bd8a8bc0963dc/tumblr_nskhs7yCrG1qg8i7yo3_r1_500.gif

Kravshitz

I should not be this combination of angry and bored two songs into an album. What is the point of this album? Lenny Kravitz seems to have mastered the art of making vacuous music that manages to convince people that it's deep despite all of the intellectual content of the album being spread thinner than a pat of butter on a 6 foot sub. JUST REPEATING THE WORDS "FREEDOM TRAIN" OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS NOT A FUCKING SONG. Wait, nevermind, he said "Uh-huh" a couple times too, so I guess that it technically is a song Every song is just him repeating the name of the song over and over again, which makes me wish that he had named one of these "I'm going to shut the fuck up and stop recording now" 2/5

Parts of it sounded like Prince. Parts sounded more grungy. Very cool vibe and guitar playing, but at the same time, nothing really WOWed me. Great job Lenny, here's a 3.5!

This is shit, but I'm going to rank it above Lennon just for bantz.

I was not expecting to rate Lenny Kravitz this high. Was completely unfamiliar with his work, but the versatility and energy is incredibly impressive. He made this album basically ENTIRELY BY HIMSELF. One of those albums where there wasn't a clear winning track, a lot of it flowed effortlessly and did a great job of being unique on its own.

Easily one of the greatest debut albums of all time. The Beatles influence is strong, but not dominating. Sometimes the layers upon layers of vocal tracks gets a tad overwhelming, but otherwise the technique is used to great effect (a la George Martin). Hands down, the title track is an all-time classic and in today's political and pandemic fatigued world, would be a welcome reminder to be good to one another. Also, Karl Denson's saxophone solo on Let Love Rule is one of absolute greatest in recorded history and a joy to the ears everytime I hear it.

For me, Kravitz has always dwelled in that area between “modern iteration of Sam Cooke“ and “yoga instructor your wife/girlfriend is a little too excited to see.“ I liked this album, but it didn’t do much to move him one way or the other on that spectrum.

Another album whose singles played predominantly in my 90s video phase. Decades later it comes of as maybe a little soft-pedaled? Plenty of good stuff though. Saw Kravitz live at a festival in the mid-90s and he did not disappoint.

Great music for a one-man show. I didn't realize Kravitz was so soft rock when he started. I feel bad only knowing him for his amazing cover. He's a great writer.

Far from the most original album in the world, but it’s funky enough to be enjoyable and not overly cloying or derivative…at first. Lyrically, the longer this record goes on, the more annoying I find it - especially when he makes sort of overt references to the artists he’s paying homage to…like how the first line of “Flower Child”, a clear Lou Reed/VU homage, is “Dressed in purple *velvets*” - thanks for spelling it out, Lenny.

It was ok to me, but didn’t stand out as anything spectacular that must enter my ears frequently in the future.

Bloat is a big issue here, honestly liked most songs, but too many on the same record methinks.

It's 1001 albums. They're not all going to be winners.

Oh no, it's like being stuck in the mind of a horny 55 year old woman with poor taste.

Might be the worst one yet. Lenny Kravitz is absolutely horseshit

.5 points for Blues for Sister Someone for sounding like Lenny tried to cover Venus in Furs based on someone describing the song to him, and instead it came out sounding like the worst song Led Zeppelin never wrote

“Free Bird” Lenny was the best.

I always liked the singles. The album was even better!

5/5 Cohesive tracklist full of funk and soul, which changes up well and is never boring. I slightly prefer the rockier, poppier second half. Lenny's vocals and lyrics are fantastic. Sitting On Top Of The World 5/5 Let Love Rule 5/5 Freedom Train 3/5 (LEAST FAV) My Precious Love 4.5/5 I Build This Garden For Us 4.5/5 Fear 4.5/5 Does Anybody Out There Even Care 5/5 Mr. Cab Driver 5/5 Rosemary 5/5 (FAV) Be 5/5

Sensational. Lenny rocks.

4-5 Let Love Rule!

I think this is the first album we’ve had that I actually own. This is really good, and forgot how much I enjoyed it. Love Sitting on Top of the World, Let Love Rule and My Precious Love.

I know this album very well I remember one of my friends playing it all the time not my kind of music but definitely tell him to the artist and awesome debut album

Great music across the board. Some sounds like Hendrix, some sounds like the Beatles. Music style changes. Vocal style changes.

Big like

cool

Album aanwezig

10/10 ayo new favorite album just dropped

Wow, awesome. Did not expect to like this at all.

I loved it 30 years ago and is still great

Yeah it was pretty good.Felt a little long and wasn’t really my kinda music but I liked it.Could’ve done with less Jesus stuff though but that’s his choice I guess

real hard

cool

This is a phenomenal album! I remember the first Lenny Kravitz song I ever heard (American Woman, off of Big Shiny Tunes 4). I thought it was a fantastic song, and really liked his style, but never really delved into his back catalog at all. I found myself enjoying that same sound on this album (rock mixed with strong funk/jazz/blues vibes). This album touches on topics such as peace & love, racism, and religion. The piano breakdown in My Precious Love was fantastic!! Favourite songs : Let Love Rule, Rosemary, Blues For Sister Someone, I Build This Garden for Us, Flower Child Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, Mr. Cab Driver, Freedom Train, Sitting on Top of the World 5/5

Hadn't listened to this since a long time and was reminded what a great album it is. A warm bath!

First time listening to the full album by Lenny Kravitz and my first thought is - Why haven't I done this sooner? It's a very well made album, entertaining from start to finish (although it falls off a little by the end). Mix of rock, at moments hard rock, with blues and soul, resulting in extremely fun record for a wide variety of fans. Lenny was the solo artist on this album - vocals and lyrics, guitars, bass, drums and other instruments were composed and played by him. And you can tell how talented he is. It wasn't over the top at any point, which happens to some other overcomplicated recordings, but also it wasn't too simple, it hit the right mark. Guitar solos felt really at place and in the groove of the song or beat. Additional instruments like sax or trumpet added another layer to the mixture. And finally, it wouldn't be as attractive without great singing voice of Lenny. He could swing in-between slower, more emotional tracks and fast and heavy ones with ease, and you could tell he felt good and comfortable in any setting. I am very surprised with this album, but it easily jumps to the list of my favourites.

From the outset this was a really enjoyable collection of songs with shades of hippie rock, psychedelia, soul and funk. Kravitz is quite obviously a massive fan of late sixties psychedelic rock and this is apparent in the music styles and especially his lyrics; whilst cliched they never jar. He sings enthusiastically throughout and the music has plenty of breathing space. There's a few nice touches like the processed vocal effect on 'Freedom Train' and strings on 'Fear'. Great stuff.

Still love it.

I had honestly only ever listened to fly away before this but this was a great intro into Lenny kravitz. Excellent album and his yelly voice with the production just works

Super-groovy and awesome.

Great groove, I should listen to more Kravitz

I love people like Lenny who sing with such passion. It really gets you into the album and music and lyrics and theme. Phenomenal record.

So good

Que disco raro! No porque sea malo ni nada... Siempre asocié a Kravitz con algo mas rockero y no lo tenia tan blusero. Me encantó, creo que mas que la musica que hace normalmente. Tiene unas pinceladas de Hendrix que quedan excelentes con lo espaciadas que están. Es una lastima que haya encontrado otra identidad y no haga tanto de esto, aunque probablemente tambien sea que evolucionó en la forma de hacer musica y no sea tan cruda. No se si habría lugar para un Hendrix hoy, tanto como para un Lenny así. Faveado.

Aun con un contenido lírico discreto (aunque certero en ocasiones) el álbum es una pasada. Una faceta maravillosa de Kravitz, mezclando soul, pop rock 60 de UKs, blues y pequeños destellos de psicodelia. Un buen 9

Loved this! The instrumentals and tone are great. A mix of relaxing and energizing.

hard

Absolutely incredible.

no co mam powiedzieć no zajebiste, każdy utwór bez wyjatku, najbardziej chyba be, empty hands i blues for sister someone

Amazing. Just amazing.

Lenny!

Hmm it’s alright but not overly special

That’s a really good album.

soulful interesting record

Wow. I don't know why but I was expecting this would be terrible. I think I was getting him mixed up with Luther Vandross. Really good mix of funk with rock, leaning heavily on the latter. Lots of homage paid to various bands, heard elements of Faith No More, Beatles, even Nine Inch Nails in there. Not sure what that last track was about, skipping that it's a great album

Great album. Good rock.

This is a fun album from Lenny

Very enjoyable listen. Channeling '60s psychadelia with some Beatles influence too.

Good stuff! Funky and fun to listen to. His voice is not my favorite but the instrumental parts are fun. This man should be in the rock and roll hall of fame for keeping this kind of music relevant into the 21st cetury. High 4.

Surprisingly pretty dang good considering I've only heard his singles and they aren't my favorite. Definitely appreciated how raw and kinda guttural the singing could be. The music is quite enjoyable but the lyrics are kinda basic. Overall a very good debut.

ich liebe diesen warmen sound mit retronoten. Let Love Rule, My Precious Love .. wunderschöne balladen mit soul- und blues-elementen.

This was good. Very Lenny Kravitz, but very raw, like him before he was polished, but definitely had his voice (both literally and metaphorically). IT was funky and cool and had a good energy, and I liked it a lot, but probably wouldn't listen again. Four stars.

Very nice album.

a few classic hits

I don't know a whole lot about Lenny Kravitz's background, but this album is super fun, energetic, and soulful in many ways. It feels like a kid in a music production candy store on a bender.

Didn't know Lenny's music outside of "are you gonna go my way"; this is a great listen. Kinda funky. 4* Highlights: let love rule, i build this garden for us

I Built This Garden For Us is amazing. Didn’t like the 3rd or 4th song but the rest were really good. Enjoyed it better than I expected to.

3.5 rounded up lenny kravitz is one of the coolest mfers on the planet but this didnt need to be this long. still rlly fucking good for a debut tho highlights: sitting on top of the world, i build this garden for us, empty hands, flower child (sep 25 2024)

Much better than expected

So many great songs, a treasure trove of gems. Dripping in Beatles influences.

Solid record. Love Lenny Kravitz

Another one who was just a name to me until now—I liked this. Rounding up to 4.

Good ole Lenny, good ole LP.

Im ersten Song hat man das Gefühl, Lenny versucht unbedingt anders zu singen, cool zu wirken, kein Normalo in der Musikszene. Entweder als Hörer haben wir uns daran gewöhnt oder er hat sich selbst eingespurt. Ab dem zweiten Song ist man mehr auf die Songs konzentriert. "Let Love Rule" erinnert mich an "Hey Jude" von den Beatles. Es ist ein gutes Debütalbum und dass Lenny auch noch fast alle Instrumente spielt, ist schon fantastisch. Sein Gitarrenspiel ist durchaus markant und insgesamt ein hörens- und beachtenswertes Album. Für mich sein Bestes. Das neueste habe ich noch gar nicht angehört.

Great. Holds up well.

gostei demais em

Surprisingly enjoyable, and nice to hear several songs with positive messages.

Прикольно, но есть у него и покруче.

I really liked the album. I think it's pretty cool. 4/5

There's a 1-star review for this album that compares Kravitz here to "Prince at home." Funny enough, I'd also compare Kravitz here to Prince, but in a 4-star way. I mean, 'ey, what can I say? I love Prince, I like the few Kravitz songs I've heard... Put 'em together with all these hippy vibes, and, hey, I can dig it. Tune in and drop out, man.

I’m at a 3.5 that I think I’m going to incredibly graciously bump up to a 4 that it just barely earns. I liked most of this album. It has plenty of flaws, but I can look past most of them. I think the self-control in his vocals is a bit lost at times; he can’t decide if he wants to be Ozzy Osbourne, Paul McCartney, Prince, or Stevie Wonder for most of this album. You can’t be all 4. Somehow, he ends up sounding like the lead vocalist from Bowling for Soup for parts of this album as a result, but ultimately, that’s fine. I think the lyrics on most of the tracks are good – pretty solid messaging throughout. I think the main issue I have with this album’s lyrics simply comes in its repetition, and I Build This Garden for Us is distinctly terrible about it. Really retreading a lot of ground throughout that track. The same thing goes for Be, which quite frankly, just stunlocked me with that “or am I a rapist who needs a release” line, because what the fuck does that mean? Is it about leaving prison? Is it about getting off? It’s a weird fucking line to throw in regardless. Instrumentation is great across the album – no complaints from me on this one. Some of the tracks went a little long on their outros, but I could forgive it in the same way I can forgive a Stevie Wonder outro for going long, because the vibes are good and the music is a jam. Ultimately, I do think this album just does more right than wrong to get up to a 4, but that could change on a relisten or two. It’s definitely not within the range of being a 5, though. This is, so far, the only album to have a straight 3 in the reviews so far, which tells me I might be a little generous, and I can see why. This is the type of album that might have more holes or flaws open up over time to bump it back down to a 3, but right now, I feel good about giving it the 4.

Really nice jazz and blues rock

I remember when Lenny was the epitome of cool. This album shows just how much he deserved that reputation!

Better than I expected

Interesting

While not my taste, clearly thoughtful and well made. Extremely diverse song writing that still somehow works together

A little cliché but such great grooves and vocals. Gotta go 4 stars!

Good, but not great, and lacking some of the attitude and swagger that made his later work brilliant. Loads of religious references, which surprised me.

I like Lenny Kravitz but this is an album of his I've not listened to too much. A lot of the good bits are there - catchy bass parts, soulful crooning, epic guitars, but seeing as it is his debut it's pretty raw

This is was really good. I’ve never really listened to him, but clearly he’s famous for a reason.

this was also a new listen! i actually really liked it and would listen again.

Shades of Prince, Stevie, John Lennon, even some grunge. I liked a lot of this.

I was not expecting to rate Lenny Kravitz this high. Was completely unfamiliar with his work, but the versatility and energy is incredibly impressive. He made this album basically ENTIRELY BY HIMSELF.

Some very catchy songs on this album. Great guitar work and songwriting.

This was a weird album, it sounded like so many different artists: Tom Petty, Beatles, Prince, Hendrix… it showed the talent that Kravitz has but also all the influences taken. I didn’t realize how well rounded that he was, I admit I hardly know any of his songs. There’s definitely some hidden depth, I’m gonna go 3.75/5

Great album.

01) Sittin' on Top of the World - 7,5 02) Let Love Rule - 8,5 03) Freedom Train - 7,5 04) My Precious Love - 8,0 05) I Build This Garden for Us - 8,0 06) Fear - 7,0 07) Does Anybody Out There Even Care - 7,5 08) Mr. Cab Driver - 9,5 09) Rosemary - 7,0 10) Be - 7,0 11) Blues for Sister Someone - 7,0 12) Empty Hands - 7,0 13) Flower Child - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,58 (76/100) I guess I tend to lose concentration towards the end because the marks are getting lower and lower in just about every album, not just this one... I'm torn somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. It's not a bad album, but it's really not special in any way... "Mr. Cab Driver" is my favorite track.