Lenny Kravitz recorded his new album Black And White America in near solitude in the Bahamas, an experience he says brought him closer to God. Well, there are copious references to the Man upstairs in the lyrics of what must be his most stylistically diverse album yet.
Opening is the title track, a horn-peppered retro funk ditty about race relations in America with the lyrics “In 1963 my father married, a black woman, and when they walked the street, they were in danger…. But they just kept on walking hand in hand.” “Come On Get It” is a raucous rocker which should please fans of his songs like “Are You Gonna Go My Way” or “Fly Away.” Other rockers are “In The Black,” “Rock Star City Life,” “Stand” (with lyrics encouraging self belief), the extremely catchy “Everything,” and the beautiful the Bowie-esque “I Can’t Be Without You.”
“Liquid Jesus” is a gently throbbing falsetto-sung piece while “Boongie Drop” is a slice of choppy funk featuring Jay-Z and DJ Military. “Superlove” is my favorite, a Disco-tinged Funk number with Chic-style guitar in the ending choruses. “Life Ain’t Ever Been Better” is James Brown meets Fela Kuti (he even name checks Brown in the dying minute of the song). “Looking Back On Love” is laid back and Jazzy, “The Faith Of A Child” is a groovy ballad, “Sunflower” is a sunny groove with skittery beats featuring Drake, “Dream” is a Lennon-style inspirational acoustic ballad, while closing is “Push” where he states that he will “Push until I find my way home.”
Stylish, proficient, deep, and fun all at once.
