Let Love Rule

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When Lenny Kravitz made his debut album, he was known in select circles as the pierced, tattooed love boy of Lisa Bonet, the actress then riding high with a starring role on The Cosby Show. Kravitz turned out to be an artist in his own right, and a talented musician who wrote, produced, and played nearly all the instruments on Let Love Rule. He seems to know precisely what he wants to say on this album; trouble is, it's all been said before, by the likes of Prince, John Lennon, and Sly Stone. There is skill and craft at work here, but genuine inspiration is another matter. The thick patchouli scent around songs such as "I Build This Garden for Us," "Flower Child," and the title track is nearly suffocating, while the would-be protest anthem "Mr. Cab Driver" is rather undercooked. Overall, Kravitz's groovy love-generation vibe makes him rock's answer to Austin Powers. --Daniel Durchholz