“Blue Electric Light”
Rock poser Lenny Kravitz returns with new album
With “Blue Electric Light” Lenny Kravitz gives himself a birthday present
© Roxie Records/BMG
Shortly before his 60th birthday, rock poser Lenny Kravitz returns with a solid new album.
Among the twelve new tracks there are some that start off with promising dynamics and once again feature the sprawling, funky rock grooves with which the musician has made a name for himself since the release of his debut album “Let Love Rule” in 1989. The exuberant force with which Kravitz seamlessly quotes the work of Prince, Michael Jackson, Oasis and Stevie Wonder retains its fascination on his new record.
Gifted funk rocker, lazy songwriter
However, the overall picture reveals a general weakness of the musician, which was already evident in previous albums in recent years: Lenny Kravitz is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who once again played most of the instruments himself on “Blue Electric Light”, but he is not a particularly profound lyricist. All too often, in the choruses of songs like “Paralyced” or “Stuck in the Middle”, he makes do with strangely interchangeable lines like “Oh baby, I need your love” or “Our Love is alive, and strong as the deepest Ocean”.
His die-hard fans will still be happy to have their favorite rock star provide them with new songs after a six-year absence from the studio. The new album includes a few danceable numbers that will be a fitting way to celebrate Kravitz’s 60th birthday on May 26th.