I know nothing about Bon Jovi save the big super hits that catapulted him and his group to megastardom. Is there anything more to the once high-haired glam pop rock than just faux country anthem rock?
Let's find out.
Bon Jovi - New Jersey - 1988 (Buy it)
This was interesting to me. All the reviews I've read about this album have given it really high marks. Higher than Slippery. I don't agree. While Slippery When Wet is the embodiment of 80s glam faux metal, New Jersey is a different animal. Perfectly competent. Tuneful. Nothing inherently wrong with it.
Except....
Queen followed A Night at the Opera with A Day at the Races.
U2 followed Joshua Tree with Achtung Baby.
These albums built on the previous success without really tampering with the formula. It's a smart idea and tons of bands have done it.
Bon Jovi is one of those bands. The difference is that they don't build on anything. Maybe they aren't capable. Maybe it's a case of "give the people what they have decided they want. It worked. They sold a ton of this.
But.
There is nothing new explored here. No new ideas. Nothing fresh. Just "music inspired by Slippery When Wet", it could have been called.
The singles are boring. Everything is so freaking long....I get it, big chorus, modulation, move on, fer god's sake. Obviously, this bloat is a product of the CD age. We can put an HOUR on one disc?!? Let's do it!!!
And we all suffer.
Do you own Slippery When Wet? Then you have absolutely no reason to ever listen to this record.
Grade C-
A Side: Bad Medicine
Blindside: Homebound Train (It's a keeper. Put it on your ipod)
Downside: I'll Be There For You (Is it Whitesnake? Where's Tawny Kitaen??)
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