"The
Band you love(d) the most is back". With this slogan Bon Jovi announced
their new record this summer. For this occasion, I thought it would be nice to
make a little review about the latest work of Bon Jovi. But before getting even
started, you need to have some background information about my story with Bon
Jovi.
Since a
little boy of four years old, Jon Bon Jovi was my idol and still is. Not only
his music with the band is fantastic, even more impressionable is his character
(still married to the same wife, no heavy scandals, does charity, is humble,
etc.). Bon Jovi also affected our music a lot.
Probably
you think how I might write an objective review about the new record. Easy.
Since the record "The Circle", Bon Jovi missed in my opinion the point
to change their music. Because all of them are getting older, it was at least
clear to me that they couldn't hold their high level of perfection in music.
Still the world tour in 2010/2011 was perfectly played when Richie came out of
rehab again. The record "What About Now" in turn, was a solid record
with good stuff on it. But the live show I saw in 2013 at Bern was not good.
Jon didn't have the energy to sing all songs right. I was actually really disappointed.
At this point, I felt confirmed in my opinion. So when I heard that Bon Jovi
came back again with a new record, I wasn't psyched about it. I was afraid that
my idol would break and loos all the credibility and integrity they've held up
for so long.
So with a
pessimistic attitude I bought the single "This House Is Not For Sale".
And I had to confess, the more I listened to it the more I started to like it
very much. Kind of a typical Bon Jovi thing though. But then came the record. Right
away I have to tell you, Bon Jovi turned it around!
Heavy drums,
hard guitars coupled with nice melodies, beautiful keys, smooth bright bass,
typical choir and a lower adapted voice of Jon which sounds mature and fit. Besides
the technical parts, most of all songs are arranged differently and vary in the
style of sound (e.g. "Come On Up To Our House" and "The Devil's In
The Temple"), even though the record has a clear structure (find out about
these terms more on my section "how to write a good rock song"). The
lyrics of the songs seem to reflect their souls and seem honest. Proof it with songs
like "Scars On This Guitar" for example.
A big
credit for the turning point goes in my opinion to Phil X. As the new guitarist
he fits in the band perfectly which you hear on the album. He brings in fresh
and bold diversity in the guitar sound, almost as Richie did in the early
years, but isn't overloading the songs with too much guitars. Same for the
solos, Phil brings in perfection without pushing it too hard.
With this
fresh wind of Phil X, songs like "Roller Coaster" or "New Years
Day" bring Bon Jovi definitely back. And of course the rock ballads aren't
missing. Bon Jovi show again with "Labor Of Love" or "Real Love"
that they are kings in this category.
In sum, the
record puts Bon Jovi back on top, where they belong!
Congratulations
to this fantastic work!
Enjoy Seasplash
