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"These Days" Review 1 January 1996

A review by Robin the Boy Wonder / MADDYJS@ed.concord.wvnet.edu

Bon Jovi's new album "These Days" is mix of tunes that should leave everyone with at least a few good memories. While I'm not sure if it's my favorite yet, I like it very, very much.

HEY GOD
Can't you just feel the raw energy throughout this whole tune? The way the instruments keep pressing each other on and on is amazing. A true Rock-N-Roller if I ever heard one. I can understand the lyrics totally also. Everyone has questioned their faith at times.
Lyrics: 8/ Music: 10

SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN
AMEN Brothers Jon,Richie,David,and Tico!! I can totally groove with this tune. I dont know why it didnt do as well on the charts, the radio stations around here played it every hour and was highly requested. I love it when Richie takes the lead vocals at the end of the song. The music shows true musicianship coming from another musicians point of view (I am a piano and theory major at college) and I love the way that they have grown. Could have been a little faster though. L: 10/M: 10

THIS AIN'T A LOVESONG:
Great chord progression for a rock song. Can you feel the seventies soul coming out of this tune? A vocal high point for Jon and a way to short guitar solo for Richie, this one is a song that everyone can understand.
L: 9/M: 9

THESE DAYS
Turning out totally different from how I thought at the beginning, it works very well. Kinda John Mellencampish or Springsteenish I think, only done better. Another too short guitar solo, and anyone who thinks that Dave can't play piano very well, WAKE UP!!! Rocks if I'm in a good mood, very melancholy if I'm sad.
L: 8/M: 9

LIE TO ME
Can you say "I will sell you a million more records"? I think this will be even bigger that love song. The solo is too short and that is my only complaint. It is hard to musically pull off some of the things they do in this tune (layered voices, tempo changes, etc...) but they manage to pull it off smoothly. One of my favorites.
L: 10/M: 10

DAMNED
Whoa! This I did not expect. Feel that groove and jam with it. Why are Richies solos always so short? Or is it just me? The horn section adds to this tune a lot. Jon's scratchy vocals work very well on this one,too. Once again, the seventies influence.
L: 8/M: 10

MY GUITAR LIES BLEEDING IN MY ARMS
Did I just listen to "Stranger in This Town" for a minute? The only thing that I didn't like was the solo was too short! (why do I feel like I'm repeating myself?) A brilliant little diddy by the boys. As a songwriter, I know exactly what he is saying. My favorite part is the heavy section. Rock on Boys!!!
L: 10/M: 9

IT'S HARD LETTING YOU GO
Go:I dont think they could have pulled this off a few years ago. I'm also impressed that Jon did all the keyboards. Beautiful acoustic work on a beautiful song. Some guys may not like it, but when the harmonies and solo kick in how can you not get lost in the moment? I know exactly what the lyrics are saying.
L: 10/M: 10

HEARTS BREAKING EVEN
This rocks also. Kind of mellow, but not kind of mellow also. Tastey guitar licks in the background, and very tastey solo. Not in your normal key of A or E either, YEAH! As musicians, they really are improving.
L:9/M:9

SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
When I first heard this one, I was skeptical because of the words. But when I heard the voices at the end, and Jon's scream, add that to the groove Tico lays and the groove of the rest of the band. Whoa. Hugh lays a nice bass groove in the break at the middle also. This one just rocks and keeps rocking. The more I heard it I understood the lyrics, I've been there too. Definately a favorite.
L: 10/M: 10

IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES
A good tune about doing anything for a girl. I CAN relate, and it grooves to. Good tune, and David really adds flavor to this one after the solo. I like the musical pause with the chord ringing out a lot also.
L: 9/M: 9

DIAMOND RING
I love it when they go acoustic! They spanish- flavored solo really fits this tune also. They just do it all right with this beautiful, haunting little tune. The change in feel for the bridge after the chorus is great and perfectly timed.
L: 10/M: 10

ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING
As a bonus in Europe it is a good tune and I like it, it sounds more like some of their older rocking stuff. The guitar playing alone makes this work. But if I'm not in the right mood, for some reason it falls a little short. I don't know why. But still a good tune.
L: 8/M: 8

BITTER WINE
Oh yeah, it doesn't get much better than this. Watch out for the Stones influence on this one. Great mandolin solo and awesome lyrics to this one. The horn throughout the song makes it just right, because it is not overdone. Leaves you on a good note, thirsty for more. Shouldn't have been just a bonus track in Europe.(Thank God a have a friend in Finland!!!)
L: 10/M:10

Overall
Over all: L: 9/M: 9 Maybe I'm little easy on it since it possibly is not my favorite album, but then imagine how much I like the other albums. Good album and I can't wait till the next.

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