Bounce Review...using my split opinion thing...
Bad points
i just feel it has been over-produced in some parts, and kinda think that 4 writers for some of the songs is ott. Jon and Richie managed to produce some of the best songs ever (ok, so i know i'm biased, but the lyrical content of their songs is amazing, esp. on TD) and yet here they are teaming up with writers who do stuff for B.S.B!!! Why they need 2 other co-writers is beyond me!
Another poor point is the fact that asides from RSOW, there really aren't any great solos by Richie. Songs like Damned and Dry County show his true talents.
However on Bounce it's full of that new guitar (the V-shaped one!) sound, and although effective on some songs (Undivided, Hook Me Up), i think it was over-done. I know we all don't want Bon Jovi to be repetitive in their style of albums, but to have Richie blast out some amazing solos is, and never will be, a bad thing...that guy's a genius when it comes to guitars and he should show it more often imo.
The only other fault i can think of is that The ballads are kinda weak. yes, the lyrical content is great, but i think the actual music was too watered-down.
Even All About Lovin' You, the strongest one, sounds like something Westlife would do. Now, i love the ballads for what they are, but i just think that they lack the power and emotion that ones like Always, I Want You, Never Say Goodbye and Bed of Roses contain in them.
For example, Always in L.from. L vid...the most moving, dramatic performance of a ballad i've EVER heard! Likewise with IBTFY on the Bed of Roses single, Then compare those raw, unique sounds with You Had me from Hello...i don't need to explain!
Now for the Good Points...
I think that with Crush, Jon's voice wasn't great. Not anything like KTF or TD. However, on Bounce, songs like Joey, RSOW and The Distance show that he does still have power in those high notes (everybody who watched him sing Joey at SBE will get what i mean i hope) and indeed this album shows his varying styles...something that has been missing since KTF/TD.
I love the album as a whole...whereas their earlier ones had no real direction/theme, this one is more reflective of the society in which we live (in BJ's optimistic kinda way of course!).
Bounce, Everyday, Undivided, The Distance, Hook Me Up are all gonna be great on tour! Crush, asides from IML, CCATBQFM and OWN had no songs that the crowd could sing along with. This album is gonna rock the venues cos the choruses are more anthemic than the likes of SIIS or TST.
Tico's drums are great...they add that raw rock sound that is classic to BJ.
Also, i love that Dave has major parts in RSOW and Joey...it's nice to hear good songs that aren't all about guitars! It also shows the bands maturity i think.
OK, i'm gonna stop cos Bounce is really good in so many ways that i could write a novel on it's good points.
Basically, asides from:
too many songwriters on some songs,
not enough guitar solos/varying guitar styles,
ballads not having the classic BJ power,
Bounce is an incredible album, not better or worse than their other attempts - just different. The best thing about it is it's different types of songs that when put together sound complete.
Also, generally, the reason i love BJ so much is that every album is different from the last, and although i've said it isn't as good as KTF/TD (where the talents are best demonstrated imo), it is rated just as highly as the collection caters for all different moods...sometimes i just wanna hear a simple wee song, so i listen to misunderstood, other times i want to be amazed by guitars, so listen to DC, etc, etc!
Hope you guys didn't get bored reading this, and would like to know if people understand what i mean?!
Cheers for readin'!
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09-30-2002, 10:59 PM
