GIANTS BOUNCE BACK TO GIVE ROCK A GOOD NAME

Verdict: Rock Giants spring back to form: 3 stars.

Talks about Crush being 'one fine studio album', & says the onus has remained emphatically on old-fashioned rock 'n' roll high jinks. The says bandleader JBJ adopts a more serious tone in an effort to create something more enduring.

9/11 influenced - Undivided, Bounce - combine sadness with a desire to draw spirit & strength from the responses of ordinary ppl.

Also more personal tracks (talks about Misunderstood: 'Voices those frustrations with tender eloquence').

Quote: 'But while his lofty ambitions are laudable, BJ's sledgehammer approach sometimes lacks the subtlety needed to produce such a perfectly rounded album' - (Talkin about the album being a 'complete work of art' - as intended by BJ).
'That said, there are plenty of impressive moments'.

About Everyday: 'The fact that it is one of the group's less captivating singles suggests that it was chosen for its lyrical content rather than its musical hook.
There r catchier songs elsewhere. Misunderstood is a molodic gem which emphasises the role of guitarist Richie Sambora. An exceptional player, he combines meticulous rhythmic work with some exquisite solos to add depth and dynamism to the stronger tracks .

'Amid overwrought bluster of songs such as The Distance & Love me Back to Life, JBJ's talent as a storytelling on songwriter shines through on Joey & right side of Wrong.'

'With David Bryan's keyboards for once taking priority over RS's heriocs & musical nods to EJ & Billy Joel reveal another string to BJ's bow.

There is diversity too : Open all night, All about lovin' you, 2 numbers which highlight JBJ's balladry.

Fans looking for experimentation will be frustrated by Bounce. Whilst not the fully fledged classic of BJ's dreams, its better songs reiterate the band's skill in blending heavy hooks & simple heartfelt lyrics.
And whatever else, it stresses BJ's unerring ability to Bounce back.'

I set out to summarise the article & ended up typing most of it out.

Enjoy!

Mike