Lenny has since made more polished work than this. He abandoned his all tube analog gear for a pro tools set up in the late 90s. This album none the less established who he is as a musician and songwriter. Sure he appropriates heavily from beatles, hendrix, sly stone, curtis mayfield, and others, but the way he reconstitutes the influences is pure lenny. perhaps his lyrics hark back to the naive hippy ethos, but isn't that a pleasant alterative the the burgeoning nihilism of the "everything sucks i should shoot heroin and blow out my brains" philosophy of grunge. kravitz advocates for love, tolerance, and understanding. does the fact that we have heard these messages before make them passe? jesus said "love thy neighbor." is his message irrelevant? the beatles sang "the word is love" and "all you need is love." Are these worn out cliches or immortal truths that can be reinterpreted in new ways for new generations. make up your own mind, but one thing is true - this is a great album!

I like this debut by Lenny Kravitz, this album could have been released in the early 70's instead of 1989. From the Dylan-like "sitting on top of the world" he wears his influences very well and at times surpasses them on the Stax -like "my pericous love" with its great piano/organ solo. Lenny would get better and find his own sound and usher in the Neosoul age from which Lauryn Hill, D'angleo, and other black artists would emerge less than a decade later.

Lenny's debut is a mix of musical styles that are all enjoyable, but what really comes through is that attitude and talent of Mr. Kravitz.

It is this attitude and talent that will make Lenny a star and bring a string of outstanding musical releases as Mr. Kravitz becomes more and more focused.

Lenny's budding musical genius is obvious in this release!

On this 1989 debut the artist formerly known as 'Romeo Blue' showed the music world just how well he'd absorbed a myriad of influences and sounds and was a genius at stamping them with his own quirky ideals and twists. Melding 60's pop melodies(the brilliant title track along with "Freedom Train" and "Flower Child"), 70'style funk and wah-wah ("Fear") raw, stripped down rock a'la John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band ("Be" "Blues For Sister Someone") and punk vigor ("Mr. Cab Driver")this LP leaves no style unturned and is a joy from begining to end. He would only get better from here.

In the late 1980s, THE COSBY SHOW was the undisputed king of prime time TV & Lisa Bonet was one of its biggest stars. No doubt, her star status led to more than a little bit of condescension on the part of her new husband, musician Lenny Kravitz. The son of a TV actress (THE JEFFERSONS' Roxie Roker) himself, Lenny was just starting to even get a deal in the music business as THE COSBY SHOW was riding high in the ratings.

When his 1989 debut album LET LOVE RULE came out, musicgoers & critics had no idea quite what to make of this guy who quoted Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix & late-period Beatles as his influences, had dreadlocks for hair & just all around seemed like a leftover from 1969. Critics were the most savage in calling Lenny the "Cuisinart of rock & roll" for him handpicking certain retro sounds for his music. While they would soon come around, LET LOVE RULE in the end was a good way to debut, if not much else.

Lenny is still searching for his main line on this album & this is also when his preachiness is at its height (he would let up a little with time). The title track is the perfect example, but the song is really a great one, phasing techniques & all. This shows if Lenny had to be a Beatle, chances are his choice would be John Lennon more than Paul McCartney. The psychedelic vibe continues through "I Build This Garden For Us" (again the psychedelia can be a little overpowering) & "Flower Child".

Elsewhere, Lenny's got his Sly Stone & James Brown vibe working on "Freedom Train" (could have used some help in the lyric department), "Sittin' On Top Of The World" & "Does Anybody Out There Even Care". The music is funky sho'nuff, but it's of a darker hue, more of THERE'S A RIOT GOIN' ON than DANCE TO THE MUSIC.

Of course, the album does have its slight snags. "Mr. Cab Driver" is a bit too confrontational, while "Fear", "Rosemary" (both written with Lisa Bonet) & "Blues For Sister Someone" go so far as to be a little naive. These songs surely are an acquired taste, but that can be expected from a first-time artist.

In the end, LET LOVE RULE seemed like an album doomed from the beginning. With his wife's career bigger than his own, any objectivity towards Lenny Kravitz's music seemed a lost cause. But he would soon mature & start to develop his own identity. So really, LET LOVE RULE's only problem was that it sounded too much like a debut. Lenny was still finding his footing maybe even as the tape was rolling, making this album every bit of a work in progress. Since then, Lenny's career has been ever more about that progress.

Clearly, Lenny was destined for greatness with the release of his first album. While lyrically challenged at certain points, the overall strength of the songwriting and their delivery overcome. Even with its overt references to Christ and His salvation (I Build This Garden, Rosemary, Empty Hands), which I believe to be an asset, Lenny has lots of fun, and so will anyone who listens to this great album.

Kravitz draws deeply from a number of artists and influences, ranging from Hendrix to Sly And the Family Stone. These distinctive, mostly retro flavors will, like a good Beatles record, anchor memories to these tunes, rendering it perfect for anything from a road trip to a first date.

Not to mention, you will look so hip breaking out Kravitz from 1989, it will probably help get you that second date.

Lenny Kravitz's debut album was released in late 1989, but with its retro sounds, it could have easily have come out in 1972. Mr. Kravitz has never been shy about wearing his influences on his sleeve and Let Love Rule is full of homages to The Beatles, Prince, Elvis Costello and others. The album opens with the plucky "Sittin' On Top Of The World" and then moves into the title track which is a great song. The song starts off slowly with a strumming guitar and airy keyboard and then builds up into a frenzied ending. Mr. Kravitz was married to Lisa Bonet at the time of the recording (she shares songwriting credit on a song) and many of the songs like "My Precious Love", "I Build This Garden For Us" and "Flower Child" were obviously inspired and about their relationship. The album contains some good protest numbers like the pulsating "Mr. Cab Driver" which takes on discrimination, "Does Anybody Out There Even Care", the kinetic "Freedom Train" and the marvelous "Empty Hands". "Rosemary" may well be the best song on the album with its great lyrics and top notch vocal performance. Let Love Rule may sound like a hodgepodge of styles, but they all work together thanks to Mr. Kravitz's earnestness.

this musician produces music that is about truth...mr. kravitz, a very gifted musician, plays all instruments on the album and engages the listener with some seriously beautiful music and extremely conscious lyrics...listen to his words and free your mind...thank youlenny...ps.the reviewer seems to have spent way too long in virtual reality to know what's up

this being his Debut it's pretty good.but he wears his influences all over his Sleeve here a little too much.Let Love rule is a Lenny Classic as is Mr.Cab Driver.he would improve so much overall as a Producer,Arranger&Musician.still this Disc has it's moments.

Need I say more? With great songs like Mr Cab Driver, Let Love Rule and one of the best songs ever written - Rosemary - you can just press 'PLAY', lean back and enjoy. Great music combined with really good lyrics makes this world top-10 CD.

I thought this album was really great. I'm not really into rock, but this album is different. I think Lenny Kravitz is really talented, as a singer and a songwriter. Lisa Bonet is also a talented songwriter. I recommend this album to anyone who likes good music.

Lenny Kravitz best work. Altough you may call it a trip back to the sixties, it has really interesting facts that make this a brilliant record. Kravit's ability to construct the rhythm section almost all by himself gives a "mind coherent understanding put down to the instruments" deal which really makes this a compact and coherent work in a sense.

Other fact is the great amount of influences he brought and how they were used and put togheter, from pure rock & roll to soul to funkadelic to blues sounds.

Every song has its own mistery and magic, its own retribution and contribution...........just pure passion and love for what he's doing.........that's it.

Way to go Lenny

Spectacular. Lenny captures the spirit of the sixties and makes it new. He captured the essence of freedom and love and put it in an album.

yes the 60's are over but we still have the same problems so lenny keep on singing

Again and again...this albulm never ceases to amaze me...play those love songs Lenny!!!! Look us up LK...MitchMan

Lenny's first might have been his best, at least his earthiest. Raw is the one word I would use in reviewing this album. Raw by Lenny standards, that is. Of all the Kravitz, CDs, this is also his most complete. Other albums seem to lose direction and fizzle, sometimes wandering into weird R&B tunes, but this one still had my attention and my toes tapping clear through "Rosemary". This is probably his least popular project because it has no "Are You Gonna Go My Way" or "Fly Away" on it, but quality, not quanity, is the name of the game when you "Let Love Rule."

This is the best Kravitz album on record. Each tune is worth listening to, and each is encased in emotion.

Real music from a guy who does it all himself.

Buy this album!

Right. Let Love Rule, and punch out photographers

Would somebody please infrom Mr. Kravitz that the 60's are over

All Lenny Kravitz fans would have to agree that this album rocks. My personal favorite which is actually getting play on our college radio station nowadays would have to be Mr. Cab Driver. This is a straight-up straight-forward grooveable beat. Two big thubms up.

Let Love Rule is an album that takes you is every direction imaginable. It is indeed a very hard-hitting, powerful set of songs that deal with life, love, and various social issues. Songs such as "Fear"(written by Lisa Bonet), and "Does anybody Out There Even Care" speak of such issues as war, society, and racism. Let Love Rule is indeed Lenny's most meaningful set of songs he has written. This album, like all his other albums, also grace you with Lenny's God given talent as a musician. Is dosn't matter what type of music you listen to, Let Love Rule will satisfy your every need...

Kravitz's earliest release and probably his best. Naive and hopeful lyrics, gutsy performances, and impeccable re-creation of classic rock recording techniques. Incredible debut.

i listened to this cd on a road trip from michigan to california. its such a feel good cd with intelligent lyrics. keep up the positivity lenny!

This music is at once romantic, tough, and passionate. The songs are simply written, but infused with such large soul that it makes you scrunch up your eyes and shake your head with the sultry rhythm. There are so many great songs on this album, you will be amazed at its power to heal and nourish. "Rosemary", "Empty Hands", and "Sittin' On Top of the World" are so totally gorgeous. You'll want to play this one over and over again. I have.