How time flies. My love affair with Bon Jovi started in 1991 and 22 years later, I’m still like a kid in a candy store whenever they release a new album. Seeing them LIVE in Malaysia in 1995 took my passion for them to another level. I just love how they write their songs, compose the melodies and always seem to be able to release really catchy tunes.
With their last studio album in 2009, “The Circle”, where there were hits and misses, my first impression of their latest effort, “What About Now” is that it’s stripped down back to basics rock, that focuses on Jon’s vocal range and the musical instruments without use of electronics.
1. Because We Can – 8/10
I instantly fell in love with this track when I first heard it in early January. The lyrical content is such a pick-me-up and I was a little hesitant at first with a track name like that, it had all the ingredients to be a real cliche, but Bon Jovi manages to deliver it in their own forte of cliche.
2. I’m With You – 7/10
You cannot go wrong with a chord progression like this one, which they have previously attempted through the 2000′s Crush album for a song called “Two Story Town”. However, I think this is a better tune. It’s catchy and very Bon Jovi.
3. What About Now – 6/10
A great pick-me-up, but comparing to their other songs off this album, it lacks bite to be a classic. Still, I’m not taking anything away from this lift-me-up tune, great for workouts in a boxing ring. Good rock track.
4. Pictures of You – 7/10
When I heard the sneak preview on iTunes, it didn’t blow me away but I quickly changed my mind when I heard the song in its entirety. It doesn’t have a chorus but more of a bridge/chorus and I think it works well. A young at heart tune.
5. Amen – 8/10
This is a brilliant track. One of my favorites off the album. A stripped down Bon Jovi, aging like fine wine. While it’s no Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, it still packs a lot of punch. It’s been a while since Bon Jovi released such a song, and it reminds me of their dark 1995 album, “These Days”, a classic in its own right. Amen.
6. That’s What the Water Made Me – 7/10
A great LIVE track as Bon Jovi took a different approach with this album as they sang the new tracks since late last year for their concerts, giving a preview to their fans. It sounds like a perfect song for a movie credit and a driving tune. Like.
7. What’s Left of Me – 9/10
I always have a huge soft spot for country music and was happy that Bon Jovi dabbled in this genre whenever they can. This is easily one of my favorites of the album and I can’t wait to either perform it live in front of friends or at least at a karaoke should it be made available. It also epitomizes my life at the moment – does anybody want what’s left me?
8. Army of One – 6/10
I love Tico’s army-march drums that complements the verses really well with a little bit of gospel brought in by the organ. The only letdown I think is the chorus as I’m not a fan of repeated lines as I feel it’s somehow like a copout or running out of idea. Overall, it’s a decent tune that has a great start and end through its drums.
9. Thick as Thieves – 10/10
By far this is my favorite song off the latest album by a mile. I love the melody, the lyrics, the musical instruments, the progression, everything about it. It’s a song that I would’ve loved to have written myself. It’s such a hauntingly beautiful song and I hope they release it as a single as I honestly believe it’ll do really well, given the dearth of optimism of meaningful songs out there. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
10. Beautiful World – 6/10
Catchy verses but so-so chorus. It’s one of those songs that could grow on you but not by much, well for me at least. Nevertheless, a decent filler.
11. Room at the End of the World – 7/10
A darkhorse of the album, and a lyrically heartwarming one. I have been using similar words recently, but not as poetic as Jon’s when I say “store room in my heart” but obviously that won’t reflect any of my lyrics should I write my next song. Jon has beaten me to it yet again! NICE.
12. The Fighter 7/10
A great storytelling song stripped off drums so it strikes a chord close to the heart. A melancholic yet positive song about being a fighter. The name of the song inspired me to pen down my next song, “Just a Fighter”. See how much this band has an influence on me?
13. With These Two Hands 5/10
Promising verse but let down by a weak chorus by Bon Jovi standards. They should’ve swapped this song with “Into the Echo” a bonus track which makes a better listening. A filler at best.
14. Into the Echo 9/10
Bon Jovi should release sneak previews of song portions, and let the fans decide what gets on the album and otherwise. Empower the fans. I’m sure they would’ve voted this song to not be a bonus track but replace either “With These Two Hands” or “Beautiful World”. I love the song.
VERDICT: You can never go wrong with a Bon Jovi album as there’s always something for someone in all of their albums. Forget about expecting them to rock like they did before as they have adapted to the music industry and outlasted many musicians of the 80s!
To Jon, if somehow you manage to read this, 2 things – you should empower your fans to decide the tracks of your next album, take social media interaction to another level, and secondly, I hope that an agent be able to secure you for concerts in South East Asia as frankly speaking, 1995 is just too bloody long!