Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

On the Record: Lenny Kravitz, Hotel Lights, Game & More

Album reviews in 30 seconds or less.

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 14, 2011

Lenny Kravitz

Black and White America

(Roadrunner)

Sounds Like: The 47-year-old’s still kickin’, and this one (his ninth) is really not bad; primarily funk and throwback grooves but overall adult FM friendliness abounds.

Free Association: Kudos for playing EVERYTHING on the record, old man. Yous till got it!

For Fans Of: Isaac Hayes x Michael Buble, Funkadelic, decaf coffee, frozen yogurt.

WU LYF

Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

(L Y F Recordings)

Sounds Like: Four Manchester mates who peddle what they call primal power pop; a strong debut of sad and sweepingly moody atmospheric gravel-mouthed indie rock.

Free Association: WU LYF (Woo Life) = World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation—Yes!

For Fans Of: Stars x Nirvana, Tom Waits + Wolf Parade, Pitchfork boners, darkness.

Peter Wolf Crier

Garden of Arms

(Jagjaguwar)

Sounds Like: Veterans of the Wars of 1812 and Laarks, this duo of dudes on guitar and drums creates an excellent raucous sophomore effort of folksy, glitchy dream pop.

Free Association: A quietly charming and totally listenable fall record to grow into.

For Fans Of: Dodos x Radiohead, Black Keys + Iron & Wine, cozy harmonies.

Umphrey’s McGee