Do you think BJ are trying too hard nowadays?

I was watching the making of U2's Unforgettable Fire album of the Slane Castle DVD and there is this part at the beginning where Bono is describing how he goes about making a new album. Rather than sit down with a pen and think of what you want the album to be about, he sort of lets it just come out. Like the song is already written in a way and the less you interfere the better.

I think this could sort of apply to BJ albums like These Days. Everyone wonders why BJ wrote a more depressing album and Jon has said it just turned out that way by accident. Do you think it turned out to be a strong album because they just made it with probably not as much care if it did well on the charts and were more laid back to the writing approach. After all, BJ was still riding high on the success of Crossroad and they probably didn't care if These Days wasn as big a success or not.

Nowadays they seem to trying too hard somehow. With Crush and Bounce its almost as if they didn't know what they wanted to write about so they came up with random ideas and made the album that way. Im not saying those albums are bad but they don't really have an ongoing theme and I don't see why they had to bring in all these new writers to help them.

Just a thought, but do you think that lately (TLFR aside) that they should take a different approach to writing their songs.

Bon Jovi have always sat and written their songs before going into the studio whereas U2 are more spontanious and may have a few ideas but basically write their songs in the studio (One being the most famous example).

So, no - I don't think BJ are trying too hard nowadays.

I don't think BJ are trying

i totally agree- those lazy bastards actually don't try at all- they write bad songs, pick bad producers and refuse to rehearse cause then they'd see how bad they have gotten nowadays (just listen to the tlfr dvd- it's close to ridiculous!!)- but still they are bon jovi- the band who wrote the these days album...

Couldn't say it better....

I think calling them a lazy band is a bit harsh. After 20 years, they're still working; writing, recording, promoting and touring. Even if you think the stuff from past albums is crap, they're still working.

I think that they might have run out of ideas of what to write about, prehaps they need a brake or something

A break? I just don't think they've got much left. Let's see what Richie comes out with on his next solo album (if he ever does one!) cause in my opinion TD, DEstination and US were the last original albums with real ideas in them

straight over your head, obviously.

Here are some of my thoughts.

It's not a matter of laziness. Bon Jovi tanks are probably bled dry by now. Jon and the boys need to find mental strength and close this great chapter of thier life. Or, they need to have a long break. Sort of like it happened with Bruce and the E-street band.

Jon has a lot left in him as an artist (in fact I think he just started). But probably not with Bon Jovi. DA is a brilliant record. It's so musically well-balanced. Guitar, bass, drum work, vocals, everything is brilliant. Lyrically it's great. He doesn't choose an easy road of writing from a position of a preacher or a teacher or a big brother to make his record seem meaningful. And I like that tremendously. He doesn't include pointless guitar solos. Love songs are great. He sounds really grown up. In short, it is brilliant. He needs to continue in this direction. And judging by Last Man Standing he wants to. Can he do that with Bon Jovi? It remains to be seen but maybe not. He is probably extremely loyal to Bon Jovi. After all he didn't let Bon Jovi go after his big solo success with Young Guns record. But maybe he should now. He is ready to be a stunning solo artist.

Probably some Richie fans have thoughts similar with mine. Meaning Bon Jovi doesn't let Richie grow creatively anymore. Hence, Bon Jovi should go. At least for a while.