Albums: Good and bad, my thoughts about the whole thing

Either that or my twisted mind once again led me to believe in a deja vu that actually wasn't one.

Optimism not always work and not so many can relate to that kind of thing always. Its good sometimes, but not always....

I suppose that's always a possibility too! LOL!

I dont think BJ would have survived 90's if they not changed there direction and if they not become more mature music and lyrics wise.. I dont think i not would have been fan without KTF and also TD, may be would have been casual fan .. but sure BJ would have been 'another hair metal band bite the dust'. I do think KTF and TD are great rock albums , just too much fun thing doesn;t alway work...

holy macaroni I did miss a very interesting thread .. to make it short for now I agree with allmike totally here ... and I felt totally in connection with kathleen as well and keeper 's too ...

I think everyone can have a favoritealbum without having to justify why .. it's about being all different ppl
but even if surelly the 90's bon jovi would NEVER have existed without their 80's period .. their change in the 90's was great and they never have survive if they have acted like in the 80's while they were in the 90's ... it's all about evolution ... now the problem the real problem is what toi do with the crush period and later ... I love what the band say to me in each songs the"y did in the 90's .. I needed it .... as much as i think SWW is the ultimate Happy days period album THE ULTIMATE ALBUM OF THE 80'S we are not in the 80's anymore ... I listen to it with a great happiuness and nostalgia but I found muyslef totally INTO their music in the 90's

Interesting thread. First of all Kathleen I agree with you having seen Bruce and Bon Jovi in 2003 multiple times Bruce did keep it fresh whereas Bon Jovi's finest moments were the Giants shows. Jon did go on automatic at times. Also unfortunately Bounce while fun at the time is not an album that to me stands the test of time. One of the things I hope with this recent "redo" they seem to be doing of the upcoming album is that maybe they are not rushing this one out and are taking the time needed to bring back the magic. I have my favorites among the albums but to me what I really want is big anthemic choruses because, damn, that is what they are good at, guitar solos and a record that when it is promised that Richie is all over it he really is all over it, and lyrics about real life. It doesn't have to necessarily be optimism, as These Days shows, just real life stuff us regular people can relate to which is what they have always excelled at and frankly, in rock music, there is so very little of these days which is why I find myself primarily a country music fan these past couple years. And yes I would like to see the hunger again on stage- I think that is why I am so hooked on Keith Urban because each night that boy goes out to play as if that concert will be his last and except for select shows on the Bounce tour it has been a while since we have seen that fire from Bon Jovi. And it is not an age thing because I saw it from Bruce.

Interesting post Val .. I am agreeing with you except the country attraction that is not here for me (i think country just doesn't do it for europeans .. I assume here)
I think KU is the exception country singer in my music catalogue ... but iam loving his music and can"t wait to see him live

I agree that bon jovi debuted as an optimistic light hair band but that's not in my opnion their essence ... they need more to be honest that to fit a requested image ?? Jon is very often on automatic pilot during the shows lately that's true

I think no matter the light weight 80's image since Slippery they have been strong story tellers which is the attraction for me and was ever since LOAP. Less so with Crush and Bounce though they certainly had good moments. Unfortunately for Bounce most of them ended up on B sides. And that is what I want from the next album- good storytelling. Last Man Standing is not a happy song but it sure tells a story. Actually I am a fan of their recent work most of the Billy Falcon co-writes in general and wonder if he will have a hand in the next album.

Aside from the part about Bruce, I could have written that. I also find myself listening to country because the songs are about things I relate too. I also would like to see Bon Jovi put the energy, fire, and interest into the show they used to--and it's not just Jon. Seeing Keith so many times has shown me that the guitar can change the entire mood of a concert. The WHOLE BAND is on auto-pilot. Even if Jon said the same things night after night, the other guys could make it different. They run like a well-oiled machine. I guess that has it's place because they do put on an entertaining show. If I saw them once a tour and didn't collect bootlegs, I wouldn't notice that it's autopilot. I've enjoyed every Bon Jovi show I went to immensely... but I couldn't go see them 11 times in less than a year. I'd be bored with it because they don't change it up.

To me, the style of the music isn't the most important thing. My taste is all over the map. But what I want from Bon Jovi is for them to express that passion that Jon talks about. Whether it's passion about a wife or a situation or whatever lyrics they choose to write, I want it to be something that will make me feel it. And then, when I go to a show, I don't want to be able to know every song by the three opening notes and say everything Jon says as he says it.

Passion does not equal predictability. <-If Backstage allowed signatures, I think I'd use that as mine.

Becky

Yes, Becky, I agree. I want whatever they sing about to bring out the passion for performing it and singing it night after night next tour. It is time for Bon Jovi to show how a rock and roll band can do this and it is a good time right now for them to do it as U2 is back out again, Velvet Revolver have brought new life to the old Guns and Roses and the Crue are out there on tour. We all know Bon Jovi can kick all of their a**es with ther hand tied behind their backs- and knowing what they are capable of is why we are all here I think.