How can you tell Richie's heart is in the music? If it comes down to the last album, I see that it's begging for success. It even has a formulaic "we got it going on" in sugar daddy, and many BJ signature moves for success.

I don't think it's as simple as you say.

I honestly believe that Jon is so aware that he just can't deliver vocally anymore that he doesn't even try to make great records, he's just milking the cow until it's dead dry.

Bon Jovi's always been about great big vocal hooks, they just can't be here anymore. Sure, there are exceptions here and there in a few songs but the powerful anthems were they thing.