Now Lets Talk About "Bounce"

Krycek, I agree with almost everything you've said about Bounce. There are only a few points that I disagreed with though.

I think Undivided is really awesome, but the biggest problem is that it's dated. I know 9-11 hit hard, but releasing the song over a year after the fact is... I dunno... can't find a word to describe that.

I agree with everything you said except for not understanding the IML part 2 thing. Yeah, it's got that IML feel, but it's a great song in its own right.

It was a single, but only in Japan (I think). This song should have had a video. It's probably one of the band's most visual songs ever.

Before I heard this song, I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it. But the first time I heard it, I thought that it wasn't too bad. I'm not really a fan of the song, but I can tollerate it.

Yeah, it's a good song. Who cares that it doesn't really rock?

It's kinda cute. Nothing special. Shouldn't have been a single.

Yeah, it does have a different feeling than most Bon Jovi songs. It's interesting that you mentioned Linkin Park since I like them, but I don't see the connection.

It's a good story song, but it's definately no LOAP.

This one had to grow on me as well. And I agree that it's a little too much like The Distance. Still I love the guitar work. Even if the solo is tiny, it's still cool.

I can understand why someone wouldn't like this song. It's too gentle for Bon Jovi. But I like it. I think it's such a sweet song. I know some people have compared it to Wonderful Tonight, but I've never heard that song before. Maybe if I did, I wouldn't like You Had Me from Hello as much. Still, I think it takes guts for the band to expose their sensitive side.

I love this song, but I don't think it's IML part 2.

I don't think this song is anything special. I like it, but I could have lived without it. I agree that it is a weak ending to Bounce.

I absolutely love Bounce- probably more than anyone on this message board- but it makes me sad that so many people don't like this record. It's no KTF or NJ, but I think it's a well-balanced, visual album. I think it's a step in the right direction for the band, but only a tiny one. Hopefully the next album will continue down this path (but without the ballads, thank you).

bounce sucks less than crush

I don't understand how anyone that can hear the similarities between "It's my life" and "Everyday" cannot hear the much more obvious similarities between "It's my life" and "Bounce".

I agree

OK bounce sucks less then crush but it sucks........a small review

UNDIVIDED : I don't like the guitar sounds here, could be alot better but still strong 3.5/5

EVERYDAY : good rock song, it miss something to be an anthem and has a too modern sound to me 4/5

THE DISTANCE : mmm again bad sound but good arrangements here...I really like the "keep on goin'" part 3.5/5

JOEY : this song just don't say anything to me...it hasn't a "real" chorus and the guitar solo is just equal to 0..... 1.5/5

MISUNDERSTOOD : a pop song, well crafted but just too light...let robbie williams sing this kind of tune 2/5 (second worse bj single after say its't so)

ALLY : this is not as bas as most of you say...simply it has a too "plastic" sound and it lacks a decent guitar solo and big drum (ok big guitar too)
like almost every bon jovi ballad i like more the bridge than the chorus 3/5

HOOK ME UP : this one rocks but too modern again and no decent guitar solo...still strong chorus 4/5

RIGHT SIDE OF WRONG : boring boring boring boring boring...silly guitar solo (if you could name it a guitar solo) and too many string 0.5/5

LOVE ME BACK TO LIFE : orrible guitar sound and overall the arrangement here sucks!use to love the chorus 3/5

YOU HAD ME FROM HELLO : really like the acoustic guitar part but the whole song simply sucks! too mellow! 1.5/5

BOUNCE : YEAH THIS ONE ROCKS!!HUGE ANTHEM BIG BIG CHORUS!but unfortunetly the guitar sound here sucks big time and no guitar solo again...still 5/5 for being the only "hey!we're just remembering being bon jovi"


OPEN ALL NIGHT : this one sucks except the way jon sings it...at least for me......2/5

My opinion on Bounce kinda ups and downs. The first time I listened to it, I was convinced that I'd found my new favourite BJ album. The next couple times I liked it as well. Then I kind of didn't listen to it for a while, and when I picked it back up again, I didn't quite like it so much. Went through a long period of thinking it was alright, then stuck it on again quite recently and was pleasantly surprised. Still don't know whether I prefer it to Crush though.

I think it's a fairly decent attempt at a new direction. The heavy guitars are what really define the album, and the agression and drive that was a bit lacking in Crush. However, its just a shame that most of the heavy guitar songs follow a very similar template. And on that subject, far too many songs under 4 minutes for my liking. I think the attempt to do something new with the ballads was also reasonable, more so with the 'epic' balladry (Right Side, Joey), but less so for the more downbeat ones (You Had Me..., Open All Night). So yeah, a reasonable aim for a new direction, but a bit of a half assed attempt at one.

Track by track:

Undivided Possibly my favourite song on either of the post 2000 albums. I don't think it matters that the lyrics are 'dated', they refer to a point in history, just like a number of songs do. OK, the lyrics are a bit, er, blunt, but I think that works with the nature of the song: it's like a short, blunt sledgehammer attack. Really nice use of different guitar parts, 2 solos (although yeah, neither are amazing), and I really like the acoustic part at the end where the other instruments all drop out. As with It's My Life though, could have benefitted greatly with a bit of an intro. 4 or 5 out of 5

[/b]Everyday I've always liked it, I've never really seen why no one else seems to. I like the lyrics, especially those of the verses, and I like the guitar parts under the verses, and I think its a good song. I see the IML connection in that its thematically similar, and a short rock song, but I don't think that the two are identical or anything. 3 or 4 out of 5

The Distance Really like it. Really like the combination of heavy guitars and strings, sounds great to me. No guitar solo, which is a shame. But still think its worth 4 out of 5

Joey I like it, I like the lyrical story. Perhaps not the most exciting of songs, but it does have moments that are on higher levels than others. It's reasonable, so I'll say 3 out of 5

Misunderstood Really just a pop song, but definetly not a bad pop song, I quite like the "IIIIII"s. Probably 2 or 3 out of 5

All About Lovin You I used to like this a lot more than I do now, but I still like bits of it (the bridge is good). But generally, its a bit weak. 2 out of 5 most likely, maybe 3 if I am really in the mood for such a song

Hook Me Up A really interesting sound that is very experimental for the band, with the contemporary metal - alike intro, the effects and the vocals, and the cut out ending. Its all very interesting, but just lacks a little certain ... something, I dunno. A bit of power perhaps? Oh, and as usual for this album, its too short. 3 or 4 out of 5

Right Side Of Wrong I like it, nice epic feel to it. Some good things about it (some whispered vocals for instance, that I like), and a very nice chorus. The guitar solo's alright I guess, but I've never been a really big fan of it ... maybe I just need to pay it a bit more attention? I'd imagine 3 or 4 out of 5

Love Me Back To Life Dunno quite what I think of this one. I think I've always dismissed it because of the fact that musically it is just about identical to The Distance for the most part, and I don't think there's any need to have two songs sounding exactly the same on an album. But, on the other hand, it is vocally strong, and has a nice slowed-down guitar solo .... I'll give it 3 out of 4 for now. I'll need to listen to it again without listening to The Distance before it, its possible it might either go down to 2 or up to 4

You Had Me From Hello Erk, not very exciting. Its got a certain charm I suppose though, and has got some nice bits about it. I also quite like the 'acoustic flavour' though, but generally the song doesn't do much for me. As far as I know I've never heard Wonderful Tonight, but I do know that the intro to YHMFH sounds uncannily like another song that I can't put my finger on, so perhaps I have heard it in passing. Whatever song it is, this one does sound near identical, down to the whistling. Most likely 2 out of 5, again possibility of it straying into 3 if I'm really in the mood for some chillout

Bounce Used to love it, now I'm not so sure what I think of it. Yeah, its quite a powerful rock song. Some bits of the lyics I like better than others (No matter what anyone says, I think the pre-chorus is great!), and some of the effects I like better than others (drum computers = no. Whatever is going on behind the bridge intruiges me however). Overall I'd probably say 3 or 4 out of 5 for this, although most likely 3

Open All Night Bit of an odd ending, its not too bad though I suppose, and does have some interesting bits about it. A little different from the norm lyrically as well. I probably should listen to it again before I comment on it properly, so for now I'll just say 2 or 3 out of 5

I'd probably say 3/5 overall, maybe 4/5 for the memories it brings back. I dunno. Hope for longer, more developed songs on the next album though

I only like few songs and its been ages since i listen to this album.... Some of fav are right side of wrong, Distance, Joey, Undivided, love me back to life.... and may be Bounce.. But not great album in anyway....