A perpetual flower child, it's not always easy to take Lenny Kravitz seriously. He's got a killer image but sometimes that seems like all that's going on. He acts like Jimi but all he seems to produce is forgettable, mainstream, rock music. However, he does have an excellent voice and some serious guitar chops so it's still an event when he puts out and album after three, almost four, years of silence.
On "Black and White America" it's almost as if Lenny realizes that his catalog is missing something or that he's done the same thing over and over again in the past. Instead of trying to be a straight rockstar Lenny brings a healthy dose of funk to "Black. . ." Lenny has supplemented a lot of the guitar playing on the album with synthesizers and a more layered approach, like any good funk album should. Although you still hear some hot licks, Lenny's voice is much more important. Instead of constant power chords and overdrive there are a few carefully chosen guitar solos which is a much better trade-off.
Highlights include "Come on get it", "War", and the fantastically funky "Superlove". Finally Kravtiz's music matches his groovy 70s persona. Kravitz finally made some music I like. He should stick with funk. Maybe collaborate with someone like N.E.R.D.
Grade: B-
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