Black and White America
Artist: Lenny Kravitz
Label: Atlantic
Website: www.lennykravitz.com
Yep, this is the Lenny that everyone knows
Lenny Kravitz always seems to accomplish releasing a similar styled record that has catchy singles, some complete throwaways and songs that work but could have been great. Black and White America follows this long pattered trend and even though it finds Kravitz indulging and toying with the idea of being a bit more political, the record still is about finding the big radio song.
The personnel side always comes through a bit more for Kravitz that starts here with the album cover but many of the songs are reflections back into his past of family, experience and development. Some big names like Jay-Z and Drake appear on separate songs here that help spread his audience appeal, as both tracks are memorable but not over the top.
Kravitz's strength is still his rock guitar work and big hooks, which is why songs like "Come On Get It" and "Stand" work here. The album runs over an hour at 16 tracks, which feels long as Kravitz once again walks in a multitude of genres. This does weaken the appeal of Black and White America but if Kravitz would just sit and focus on a full out guitar rock record he might finally strike positives with both groups of critical eyes.
It is not that Black and White America is poor but it is not consistent and suffers on more than one occasion in the lyric department. This once again validates my opening line, as Black and White America has some strong singles, some throwaways and many songs that could be great but just end up ok.
Black and White America does still offer hope that Kravitz can break the mould he has been locked into now for so long because at the end of the day, the man can still make one hell of a catchy rock song.
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews, check out The Fire Note