Some would contend with me on the deed of this. But if the truth be told. Bon Jovi really hasn't put anything relevant out as far as an all out Rock album since "Keep The Faith" many, many moons ago. The only album that could make yet get near to "Keep The Faith" was "Crush" and yet that was very lack luster in a lot of places.
Bon Jovi, as a band, broke through in the mid 1980's with the liberation of their self titled album. With hits like "Runaway", "Breakout" and "She Don't Know Me", that self titled album was a blockbuster and runaway hit. And really, the house of what was to do for the best piece of the 80's. In fact, they were one of the only bands from that sentence to debut, and keep going strong throughout the rest of the 80's. They were able to do major tours with this album with some of the biggest names in Stone at the time. They were on top of the world. But could they stay there? Sure they could! Their following album proved that! "7800* Fahrenheit" proved to be another hit out of the commons for them with hits such as "In And Out Of Love", "Only Lonely" and "Tokyo Road" that kept the Bon Jovi machine moving. But the album that truly put them in Super Stardom status was 1986's "Slippery When Wet". It is the bands biggest selling album to see and as of 1995 has been certified Platinum 12 times. Definitely a huge album for them with 4 of the biggest songs of the 80's just on this one package("You Give Love A Bad Name", "Livin' On A Prayer", "Wanted Dead Or Alive" and "Never Say Goodbye"). Most will come this album as their best ever. This is where I beg to differ. I reckon their best was yet to do with the release of their last great album of the 1980's called "New Jersey". To me, that was the album that really epitomized what Bon Jovi was all about. The vocal writing was top notch. In my opinion, the best of their career. The product was incredible. Not exaggerated in the slightest. And not to note had the best lyrics of Jon's career. The songs on "New Jersey" just really seemed to come from somewhere deep within that had never been tapped until this album. As of 1996, it has just been certified Platinum 7 times and has not sold as many copies as it's predecessor, but holds the book for the most singles to give the top ten for any album of it's kind. The album included the hits "Bad Medicine", "Born To Be My Baby", "Livin' In Sin" and "Lay Your Hands On Me". But there were more songs on that album that could have well through the like had they been released.
Not hanker afterwards the go for "New Jersey", they decided to read a well deserved break. There was some turmoil happening inside the set and no one was still sure they would remain to be a band. Both Jon and Richie decided to do solo albums and go for them both. Once the solo albums were out of their system, the band reconvened on some remote Caribbean island to talk about the next of Bon Jovi and save some stuff for the album. The album's original title was alleged to be "Revenge", but they had decided to go with "Hold The Faith" after one of the songs written for the album. The album did present a bit of a change in musical direction for the lot as they took more of an Adult Contemporary approach with some of the songs. But the album did have it's part of kick ass rockers as well. It was the close of Bon Jovi's best selling albums, and the lowest "Real" album that the radical would put out.
Since then, the ring has been going soft to try and abide with their aging fans. The only job is, that's all that they are attracting are those die hard fans who are also going soft with age. Bon Jovi's album sales have been anything but great. Is that due to the lot? Of coarse it is! When you write crap, you get crap! Since "Crush", they have been taking on more of a Country flavored tinge with their music, alienating most of their fans. Before "The Band" was released, they were bragging about how often this album was passing to be a counter to form for them, a real guitar orientated album. The job is that there was a lot of guitar, but none of it had really much bite! Again alienating their fan base. This is also why they can't pick up any new fans either. Ask just about anyone who knows this circle and they will differentiate you that their best point for music was between 1986 and 1992. After that, they hardly seemed to suffer it. The music got softer and the vocal writing got worse instead of better with time. Jon's lyrics these days sound like something a 12 year old kid would write. Just very insulting to ones intelligence. Gone are the years when he exploited to be capable to publish a tear jerking ballad at the fall of a hat. Gone also are the years when he exploited to be capable to save a kick ass rock record too! I once read an audience with him where he had told them the cause he wasn't playing these 80's Rock festivals was because they aren't that sort of band! WHAT!???? Are you kidding me!??? They are one of the Founding Fathers of 80's Hair Metal! This is where their roots lie! What does he think they aren't that sort of band!??? I remember this is this bands whole problem! They have forgotten where they came from! They have forgotten what brought them to the dancing to start with! Nobody is interrested in this new material they are writting except for the ageing 80's teenie bopper girls that followed them back in the day who will buy just about anything the band puts out. But when that gets to be your only audiance, maybe it's time for a change or else you'll never be capable to force yourself out of the rut your in. What really sank these guys was their little appearance with Sugarland and doing a suito Country Album where Sugarland had made an apperance on one of the songs. Since then, Bon Jovi have had zero credibility with any of their Rock fans. Bon Jovi need to seriously get their heads together and put out this all out Rock album they've been promising people for the final few years. Just stop talking about it and do it! Maybe you might get some of your Rock fans back if the stuff is as good or rivals albums like "New Jersey" or "Slippery When Wet"! Can they not see that bands from that time point are coming second with albums that voice as good, if not better than what they've put out in the 80's?? Look at Danger Danger, Whitesnake, Mr. Big, Dokken, Stryper and so many others! And they are selling! It's time Bon Jovi takes the wake-up call and gets back to Rockin' like they used to istead of becoming the cranky ol' men that they are! Somewhere in there, there's got to be an old Rocker acheing to get out! So how 'round it guys. let 'em out just for ol' time sake! PLEASE!!!
Posted By: JT
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