thoroughly impressive debut. Like Prince, he plays nearly
every instrument on the record, yet makes it sound organic
and alive. Musically, it's a startlingly accurate replication of
desire to move forward, he only wants to recreate classic rock, and as a result, Let Love Rule is an
enormous, guilty pleasure. His songcraft may be derivative, but it's catchy -- the title track has a lean
groove and a colorful chorus, "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Does Anybody out There Even Care"
have strong hooks, and while the stately psychedelia of "I Build This Garden for Us" can sound like a
parody, it is quite effective. Kravitz stumbles when he gets preachy (the awkward "Mr. Cab Driver") or
flowery ("Flower Child"), but that doesn't diminish the pleasures of Let Love Rule.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine (All Music Guide) - Barnes & Noble
proves that Lenny Kravitz's retro-rock concerns were not a late-blooming affectation, but were firmly in
place at the time of his debut. As on his later releases, the sound here is steeped in soul, rock, and
funk of the late '60s and early '70s, though with less of the roaring, guitar-heavy sound that came to
dominate efforts like Are You Gonna Go My Way.
It's easy to play spot-the-influence with Kravitz, and on Let Love Rule one hears Prince, Sly
Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and--especially in Kravitz's vocals--John Lennon. But even while wearing his
heroes on his sleeve, Kravitz crafts a thoroughly enjoyable record. The fuzzed-out bliss of the title track
(complete with catchy, anthemic chorus), the bluesy "My Precious Love" (featuring swirling, church-like
organ), the riff-driven space-funk of "Fear," and the T. Rex-ish boogie of "Mr. Cab Driver" are only a
few of the gems here. Marked by textured subtlety and variety, Let Love Rule is a thoroughly
impressive first outing, and one of Kravitz's finest offerings. (Muze/MTS Inc. - Tower Records)
1. Sittin' On Top Of The World 3:16 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
2. Let Love Rule 5:42 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at the following positions on Billboard's charts in 1989; # 23 on the Mainstream Rock
Tracks and # 5 on the Modern Rock Tracks.
Peaked at # 89 on The Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990.
3. Freedom Train 2:50 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
4. My Precious Love 5:15 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
5. I Build This Garden For Us 6:16 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Peaked at # 25 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks in 1990.
6. Fear 5:25 (Recommended)
Written by Lisa Bonet
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
7. Does Anybody Out There Even Care 3:42 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
8. Mr. Cab Driver 3:49 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
9. Rosemary 5:27
Written by Lenny Kravitz/Lisa Bonet
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
10. Be 3:16 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
11. Blues For Sister Someone 2:51
Written by Gerry DeVeaux/Terry Britten
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
12. Empty Hands 4:42 (Recommended)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
13. Flower Child 2:56
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Published by Miss Bessie Music (ASCAP)
1989 Virgin Records America, Inc.
Billboard Chart Album Information
Billboard Chart Singles Information