My personal fave
While I believe Slippery When Wet will always be their best- top of their form, unreachable- I have a very soft spot in my heart for Keep the Faith. It doesn't have carry the same nostalgic memories for me as Slippery does (man does that album take me back!), but it found me at a different place in my life. It was a new album for a new kid. ;-)
I must admit, the overall songlist on the album is not nearly as strong as Slippery- there really are a bunch of album filler songs on this one. But when they hit the mark, man do they hit the mark! I think some of their best songs EVER are on this cd. "Bed of Roses", "In These Arms", "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (not necessarily one of their greatest songs ever, but I think the perfect live song), "If I Was Your Mother". Okay...I've seen many comments against "Mother" and I just don't get it! I think it is one of the most powerful songs they ever wrote/recorded. It blows me a way every time. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of "Dry County". I hate to say it, but I get annoyed when Jon tries to go all Springsteen-y. But musically that recording is a WOW. Dave, Richie and Tico smoke on that one. "I Want You"- while not a perfect song, still melts my heart to this day. "Fear" is such a cool departure from anything they had ever done, just in sound alone. I actually enjoy "Blame it on the Love of Rock and Roll", cheesy as it is. I have fond memories of driving along to that song and rocking out all dorky hehehehe. "I Believe" is a cool song, but just not "great".
The filler, in my opinion is clearly "Woman in Love" and "Little Bit of Soul". If they took these off (and maybe "Blame", I suppose), this album would be right up with Slippery as far as perfection.
Now as far as least favorite album....ooooh I could go on and on about These Days but that wouldn't be fair. I haven't listened to it since I listened to it the three times in the week that I bought it! It just broke my heart, it was so depressing and so not Bon Jovi. I felt like they were just trying to write something with the times, to be fashionable, since cheery arena rock was out of style. This is why I love Keep the Faith! It's cheery arena rock that never goes out of style, and sprinkled in, of course, with some serious beautiful songs.
Rating: 8/10
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