New Bon jovi--HO Hum

[yulog]

Another overall yawn fest from this group everything is mid tempo or lighter and nothing really stands out

[Andrew]

Very ho hum...

[Michigan Girl]

REALLY?!?!? I'm sad about ^^^that!!

[Voyager]

Another overall yawn fest from this group everything is mid tempo or lighter and nothing really stands out

Oh well... at least his concerts will have several opportunities for restroom breaks.

I hope he doesn't come out bitching like U2 did about poor album sales. Give us something worth buying!!!

[marco17]

Another overall yawn fest from this group everything is mid tempo or lighter and nothing really stands out

Oh well... at least his concerts will have several opportunities for restroom breaks.

I hope he doesn't come out bitching like U2 did about poor album sales. Give us something worth buying!!!

Nah, Jon won't bitch about poor album sales, he'll just rant and rave about his political views like I've seen him do a lot in the past. Maybe not as much these days with Obama in the White House, but who knows. Note to Jon [& all performers for that matter] I didn't spend my money to listen to your political views... shut up and sing the songs!!!

[Pelata]

There is clearly a lot of All The You Can't Leave Behind type of influence...songs like "When We Were Beautiful" and "Broken Promiseland" and "Love's The Only Rule"...it sounds almost as if Edge/Bono co-wrote w/ Jon/Richie...even some of Jon's phrasing is Bono-esque...there's an atmospheric/layered quality to the songs that is reminiscent of 21st century U2...still has that Jon Bon Jovi/Jersey boy slant to it though...it's starting to come around and I'm finding myself singing along to much of it...

Repeated listens are leaving my unimpressed first impressions in the dust...this is quite possibly the best thing they've done since These Days...

[brywool]

yeah, Bon Jovi has been "ho Hum" for a while now. Too bad.

They still haven't redeemed themselves to me after that whole "This Left Feels Right" deal. What a PIECE OF CRAP that album was.

[Pelata]

I don't like all the renditions on TLFR, but I respect the idea and challenge of it...some of the renditions were cool (like "It's My Life")...

I think I can say now, after 5 or 6 listens so far, that I like The Circle better than any other 21st century Bon Jovi album...

[WalrusOct9]

I think it's the best album they've done this decade, but that isn't saying much, although I liked Have A Nice Day for the most part. This one isn't weighed down by sappy ballads, which is a big step.

[Pelata]

I think it's the best album they've done this decade, but that isn't saying much, although I liked Have A Nice Day for the most part. This one isn't weighed down by sappy ballads, which is a big step.

I noticed that too...they went more for atmosphere & vibe on this album...I like it.

[S2M]

I apologize.....I erred when I said Darren Wharton was the singer for Snoozefest.

[StevePerryHair]

I think it's the best album they've done this decade, but that isn't saying much, although I liked Have A Nice Day for the most part. This one isn't weighed down by sappy ballads, which is a big step.

I liked Have a Nice Day a lot. How does that compare to the new one?

[brywool]

"Bounce" had some good songs on it. It also had some horribly cliche' BJ lyrics, but then it's BJ, that's what you git.

[Don]

I think this album has brought them back closer to their classic sound (minus any major anthem type numbers) than anything else they have done in the last ten years. Since the 80s seem to be in vogue the last few years (though I think that window is closing pretty soon), this was probably a smart move for the band to go back to their roots, or at least as close as they could get to them.

[strangegrey]

The political injection into BJ's songs is what turns me off...completely. The band has lost their focus.

In the past, they had the same core focus on songwriting that gave Journey it's success. Write music for the fans about the fans. That's long gone....

...now it's predominantly music with political/social undertones...and it's offensive to anyone that doesn't side with BJ, politically....and merely off putting to people who wouldn't care, but were expecting a fan-focused songwriting.


This band, 8-10 years ago, was bigger than anything else out there......how quickly it gets pissed away when you try to change your core thing....

[StevePerryHair]

The political injection into BJ's songs is what turns me off...completely. The band has lost their focus.

In the past, they had the same core focus on songwriting that gave Journey it's success. Write music for the fans about the fans. That's long gone....

...now it's predominantly music with political/social undertones...and it's offensive to anyone that doesn't side with BJ, politically....and merely off putting to people who wouldn't care, but were expecting a fan-focused songwriting.


This band, 8-10 years ago, was bigger than anything else out there......how quickly it gets pissed away when you try to change your core thing....

Is it the current one that has political undertones? My favorite newer album was "have a nice day" but I don't remember any really political songs. I just like how it's so upbeat and positive. That's what I've always loved about their music as cheesy as it is. And I saw them live last year and I don't remember any political views interjected into the concert either. And it was an election year. Nothing like you hear of U2 or Greenday, that's for sure.

[Rip Rokken]

Nah, Jon won't bitch about poor album sales, he'll just rant and rave about his political views like I've seen him do a lot in the past. Maybe not as much these days with Obama in the White House, but who knows. Note to Jon [& all performers for that matter] I didn't spend my money to listen to your political views... shut up and sing the songs!!!

That's exactly what Paul Stanley said during the KISS concert the other night to introduce "Rock and Roll All Nite", that the world's problems will still be here tomorrow and they'd rather entertain people and take their minds off them for a night. The positive crowd response was huge.

[Rip Rokken]

"Bounce" had some good songs on it. It also had some horribly cliche' BJ lyrics, but then it's BJ, that's what you git.

Bon Jovi's lyrics, especially his metaphors, are among the cheesiest around. "It's My Life", "Everyday", and "Have A Nice Day" are all pretty much the same song, down to the way they end with Jon singing the song title after the instruments end. Definitely a few good songs on "Bounce" though -- I like the opener quite a bit.

[Lula]

another classic band that is still relevant and will try something different. i'm planning on having a girl's night out to see bon jovi at staple center this tour. i really like have a nice day as well lynn.

[WalrusOct9]

I think it's the best album they've done this decade, but that isn't saying much, although I liked Have A Nice Day for the most part. This one isn't weighed down by sappy ballads, which is a big step.

I liked Have a Nice Day a lot. How does that compare to the new one?

It's a more even listen than HAND. There were a handful of songs on that album I thought were better than anything on the new one (title track, Dirty Little Secret, etc) but also some real clunkers (Balls of Freedom). This one doesn't hit as many high points but is better from start to finish, if that makes sense?

[Voyager]

Another overall yawn fest from this group everything is mid tempo or lighter and nothing really stands out

Oh well... at least his concerts will have several opportunities for restroom breaks.

I hope he doesn't come out bitching like U2 did about poor album sales. Give us something worth buying!!!

Nah, Jon won't bitch about poor album sales, he'll just rant and rave about his political views like I've seen him do a lot in the past. Maybe not as much these days with Obama in the White House, but who knows. Note to Jon [& all performers for that matter] I didn't spend my money to listen to your political views... shut up and sing the songs!!!

He needs to hookup with Bono and get a Washington D.C. apartment together... they could make billions together as lobbyists.

[Voyager]

I like this song called "Story Of My Life" from his "Have a Nice Day" album:

http://popup.lala.com/popup/432627090803475132

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nctJwiN-t4I

It would have been a big hit if he released it back in the 80's, but it didn't seem to get too much airplay for some reason - at least not on any radio stations around where I live.

[Andrew]

I think this album has brought them back closer to their classic sound (minus any major anthem type numbers) than anything else they have done in the last ten years. Since the 80s seem to be in vogue the last few years (though I think that window is closing pretty soon), this was probably a smart move for the band to go back to their roots, or at least as close as they could get to them.

I think it is the fartyest removed they have ever been from their classic sound, apart from the crappy country record. BJ are not Coldplay. One Coldplay in the world is already one too many.

[Don]

I think this album has brought them back closer to their classic sound (minus any major anthem type numbers) than anything else they have done in the last ten years. Since the 80s seem to be in vogue the last few years (though I think that window is closing pretty soon), this was probably a smart move for the band to go back to their roots, or at least as close as they could get to them.

I think it is the fartyest removed they have ever been from their classic sound, apart from the crappy country record. BJ are not Coldplay. One Coldplay in the world is already one too many.

A good thing I don't write reviews then, huh?

[Jana]

I think it's the best album they've done this decade, but that isn't saying much, although I liked Have A Nice Day for the most part. This one isn't weighed down by sappy ballads, which is a big step.

I liked Have a Nice Day a lot. How does that compare to the new one?

It's a more even listen than HAND. There were a handful of songs on that album I thought were better than anything on the new one (title track, Dirty Little Secret, etc) but also some real clunkers (Balls of Freedom). This one doesn't hit as many high points but is better from start to finish, if that makes sense?

I get what you're saying. No big hits, but a solid, flowing album with good songs.

[Jana]

I think this album has brought them back closer to their classic sound (minus any major anthem type numbers) than anything else they have done in the last ten years. Since the 80s seem to be in vogue the last few years (though I think that window is closing pretty soon), this was probably a smart move for the band to go back to their roots, or at least as close as they could get to them.

I think it is the fartyest removed they have ever been from their classic sound, apart from the crappy country record. BJ are not Coldplay. One Coldplay in the world is already one too many.

A good thing I don't write reviews then, huh?

I'll buy it. Of course, I love Coldplay.

[Pelata]

I'll say it again...it sounds as if Bono & Edge wrote a record w/ JBJ & Richie...(Coldplay, after all, got the bulk of their sound from U2)...it's like a blend of All That You Can't Leave Behind and Crush...the more I listen to it, the more I like it...

[Andrew]

I'll say it again...it sounds as if Bono & Edge wrote a record w/ JBJ & Richie...(Coldplay, after all, got the bulk of their sound from U2)...it's like a blend of All That You Can't Leave Behind and Crush...the more I listen to it, the more I like it...

Apart from the lack of any memorable songs and Jon's voice whinnier than ever

HAND was a great rock album. This ain't.

[yulog]

I'll say it again...it sounds as if Bono & Edge wrote a record w/ JBJ & Richie...(Coldplay, after all, got the bulk of their sound from U2)...it's like a blend of All That You Can't Leave Behind and Crush...the more I listen to it, the more I like it...

Apart from the lack of any memorable songs and Jon's voice whinnier than ever

HAND was a great rock album. This ain't.

Agreed!!

[kgdjpubs]

I'll say it again...it sounds as if Bono & Edge wrote a record w/ JBJ & Richie...(Coldplay, after all, got the bulk of their sound from U2)...it's like a blend of All That You Can't Leave Behind and Crush...the more I listen to it, the more I like it...

Apart from the lack of any memorable songs and Jon's voice whinnier than ever

I hear a bunch of good "B" songs, but not really the "A" classic.
As far as Jon's voice.....he's lost a lot of range, and that should come as no surprise. I still maintain his best vocals was on the These Days album. It's been steadily downhill since, with an increasing nasal tone.

HAND was a great rock album. This ain't.

I liked some of the b-sides or otherwise bonus material better than some of the material that made the album (Unbreakable was killer, and a crying shame it got left off the final album). The new one just sounds like a progression from the HAND sound, and actually pretty much what I was expecting. I like the rawness and attitude of the album, but haven't heard enough to form an opinion. Bon Jovi from Crush onwards has been a different band, with only minimal connections to the group that did Slippery When Wet and New Jersey. You either accept it, or not. I hear plenty on this album that would have fit pretty well on Bounce or HAND, but with a different production job. The basic sound isn't very far removed though.