|
The Dark Side
These Days was bands 7th album, and shows that they really have changed through all these years. Album was an experiment of something really different from what we were used to. Itīs very dark and melancholic with lots of ballads. It doesnīt anyhow mean itīs bad record, in fact, one of their best.
1. HEY GOD
A stormy and strong opener. Song is full of social commentary with excellent lyrics. The lyrics really make you think how cruel life is these days. Richies guitar is again excllent. Jons angry singing brings power. Only heavy song of the album, and one of itīs best songs.
9/10
2. SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN
A really funky song. Somehow this doesnīt really sound like "rocknīroll", I think the tune is like from a pop song. Definetly the happiest and most positive song of the album. Easily itīs most catchable track. A good song, but not my favorites.
7/10
3. THIS AINīT A LOVE SONG
Another one of Bon Joviīs famous lovesongs. Makes girls crazy. A very sad song. A typical easy chorus that you wonīt forget right away. Personally I donīt think lovesongs are anywhere near the best Bon Jovi. This isnīt one of the best songs on the album.
8/10
4. THESE DAYS
Well, this is the highlight of the album and by far itīs best song. A beautiful start with piano and guitar. Definetly fantastic lyrics by Jon and Richie. Great work by each member. This song stands in itīs own class. It has a great feeling in it. In two words a beautiful song.
10/10
5. LIE TO ME
Second lovesong, and better than TAALS. Not so sad as it. This continues the story of Tommy and Gina. Great lyrics. This is one of Jons best performances on the record. Really good harmonies. Very relaxing song.
9/10
6. DAMNED
Why this song is so underrated? I think itīs a great steady hardrock song. Chorus is good, and Richie shines here. This could have very well been a single.
8/10
7. MY GUITAR LIES BLEEDING IN MY ARMS
A dark song. Very melancholic and sad. Excellent lyrics, that tell about feelings when life seems hopeless. Very powerful. Great song. Was once my favorite from the album, not anymore, but I still think itīs a really good song.
8/10
8. (ITīS HARD) LETTING YOU GO
Well, this shows how the band has really changed since Slippery times!! This has barely music at all, just keyboards and a little guitar. I love those Jonīs lyrics!!! A beautiful song. Strangely, it is really one of my favorites of the album. I really love this.
9/10
9. HEARTS BREAKING EVEN
Iīve never really liked this song. Iīm not sure why. I guess itīs because it pretends to be something it really isnīt. It pretends to be a big ballad, but I think itīs just an average song. Not anyhow special one. I still donīt hate it.
6/10
10. SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
Itīs very tight race between (Itīs Hard) Letting You Go and this, but I think the first song wins. Anyway this is a great song, with much feelings in it. Good lyrics with great chorus. Ticoīs drums are really good, especially that little solo in the middle.
9/10
11. IF THATīS WHAT IT TAKES
This reminds a bit of Hearts Breaking Even. These two songs are pretty much alike, I think. An average song, nothing very exciting here.
6/10
12. DIAMOND RING
Nice to hear a completely acoustic song sometimes. This is a retake of the same song from the New Jersey times. I would like to hear a better acoustic track someday. Good work but not very special song.
7/10
13. ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING
Great rock song. Shouldnīt be a bonustrack. I think this rocks a big time. It really catched me to sing along the chorus.
8/10
14. BITTER WINE
A very relaxing bonus track. Excellent piano here- Dave shines. I love that acoustic guitar solo by Richie!!!
A really nice song, but belongs to the B- side series. Lightweighted end to the album.
7/10
These Days is a great album (shit, arenīt they all!!). Lots of big and excellent ballads, and a few rock- songs. Itīs okay that there are so few rockers, we will definetly get more. I think that by this album they have finally found their style ("Letting you go" couldnīt been done a few years ago) and the right mix of ballads and rock songs. They have now tried everything. I think that These Days is an excellent record, one of their best.
Rating: 9/10
|
