Sorry Krycek but I disagree with most of what you say. As for it being a harder rock album I think it's gone more towards the pop genre. Richie's new guitar sound, although more distorted is not loud or heavy enough to consitute a rock album. A similar sound was used on the Crush bonus track Nuerotica, but that was more of a rock song due to the riff being much louder, and the guitar kind of dominating the song. Here's my review:


Undivided - No kidding, this is a good song. Well written lyrics, and written for a purpose. That's how I like songs. This perhaps is one of the more mature songs on the record and for the American public it coulda been an anthem had it only been released. Although just a shade quicker than mid tempo its very powerful and Richie's driving guitar sounds great. Jon's voice also sounds in good form here. 4.5/5

Everyday - They really tried to immitate It's My Life here. It's about the same kinda thing, and is a pop song with less power than IML and full of talkbox and other effects that make it sound tacky. 3/5

The Distance - One of my favourates from the record. It's basically about a guy who is so far away from his girl (like the band on tour) and will 'never give up the fight' to see her again. It kind of reminds me of The Next 100 Years with the strings near the end, but there's enough of a change about it. This is good and acoustic version on TLFR was even better. 4/5

Joey - The piano dominates this song. I like the fact that it's about something totally different than what Bon Jovi usually write about (Jon's humble friend, or the main character's humble friend). The song flows well, but it's a bit sappy with all the soft sounds (the piano and the strings), but is ok. 3.5/5

Missunderstood - 100% pop song with the soft rhythm guitar and catchy lyrics. However I quite like the way that it applies to me. I'm often misunderstood in many things in life. It was quite successful as a single too, which I was quite pleased about, but I just wish it was a bit heavier. 3.5/5

All About Loving You - Jesus man! Don't torture me with this pathetic attempt at a ballad. It's pretty much a Thank You For Loving Me rip off. 1/5

Hook Me Up - Perhaps as close to rock as Bon Jovi came on this album. This is a perfect example of the distorted, but watered down guitar effect that I mentioned at the beginning. I think it should be louder and Jons vocals should be more powerful (almost a shout) I think. I would also like a more prominant baseline that you can hear easier, providing a cool funky sound. This song has potential, but they didn't make the most of it. 3.5/5

Right Side Of Wrong - With Undivided, definately one of the more mature ones. It's not in the same class as Wanted, but it's a good cowboy song and I love the refference to the 60s (or 70s) film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Although it's a fictional story the song has a meaning, and I think it's a well written mid tempo song. There aren't too many effects and the quiet sound of the keyboard and strings during the verses sounds quite good. The solo is not Richie's best work, but the strings give it a little more atmosphere, and it fits the song quite well. 4/5

Love Me Back To Life - Over done the strings on this one. It's quite upbeat but not heavy enough. The lyrics don't appeal to me at all really and strike me as something anyone could write. 2.5/5

You Had Me From Hello - Somebody mentioned that the lyrical content in this song is a lot like Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, and I agree. It's not in the same street though and is another poor attempt of a ballad. 1.5/5

Bounce - I like the enthusiasm and to some extent the catchyness, but overall I think it contains too many effects and feels a little too artificial for my tastes. Stick to the old fashioned BJ style! 3.5/5

Open All Night - I like the story, about the girl who's in great distress after splitting with her bf, but the song, like all other ballads since the mid 90s lacks power. 2.5/5


Overall it gets 2.5/5 for me. I can relate to some of the songs which is good, but it still doesn't rock enough for my tastes. The album has too many artifical effects on most songs such as Bounce, Everyday and even the strings (although good on 1 or 2 songs) are used too widely throughout the album. There are practically no dominant baselines and the guitar riffs, although not bad in songs such as Hook Me Up just aren't powerful enough. I would have liked the demos Alive and Standin' to replace some AALY and YHMFH on here. Those ballads make me cringe. Although pop songs, at least the guitar is a little more prominant in Alive and Standin', and Standin' seems to have a bit of an up yours kinda attitude that it is quite cool. However having said that they probably would seem out of place on Bounce.

Has anyone ever thought that Bounce it pretty much a Crush remake, but going even more towards the pop genre. Crush was reasonably successful and I think Bon Jovi thought more of the same would work again. It is evident with the singles:

Everyday = It's My Life
Misunderstood (kind of) = Say It Isn't So
AALY = TYFLM


Sorry all you Bounce lovers, but this is my opinion and Bon Jovi need to get Bob Rock back as producer and stick to their original sounds. They really need to be the rock band they were and not the pop band they are now. They still have potential to write good songs and be a great band, but the latest albums (especially this one) fall short of their standards in my opinion.