Richie nowadays.. A waste of talent?

The songwriting? Songwriting and composing of melody and hooks is obviously a huge factor in most songs. And the thing that BJ do really well is to write songs that connect with people. And I also wouldn't say (and I don't think you can really honestly say) that it has "BAD vocals, guitar work, intros etc.", just that they are not as good as they once were.

Richie is largely a guitarist who plays more for feeling than technicality. And, I figure at the moment, he plays more to compliment the song as a whole, rather than to show off his ability

Right. Because if Richie does something people don't like, it's Jon's fault. Does anyone else see how stupid that is? Richie COWRITES the songs. He COPRODUCES the songs. He's 1/2 the major creative force of Bon Jovi. Two of the lengthiest solos he's done are on two songs Jon wrote ALONE (Dry County, Right Side of Wrong). Jon is not holding Richie back as a guitarist. What they create as a band is due to all the guys, but primarily to Jon and Richie and whoever the other producer is becuase they have the most influence on the creative process. It's ridiculous to use Jon as a scapegoat if you're not pleased with Richie's work with the band. That's like blaming Hugh if you don't like Jon's vocals.

Hey, maybe the real key was Alec. People have been consistently bitching about everything the band has done since he left. Let's all blame Alec!!!

I do wonder if the direction they've gone in would have been different if Alec was still in the band? It's an interesting thought

Undiscovered Soul has nice guitar work, but it's also pretty basic when compared to some of the 80s stuff. The thing is, guitar solos don't sell records. Yes, there are single edits, but most people also prefer albums with short solos. One more reason to dislike the whole grunge-movement and its results...

Richie is holding himself back as much as they all are. Tico and Dave included.
Even if according to Jon's own words Richie never got to shine as much as he could with BJ, it's still his decision.

From his own words he rathers considering himself as a singer/songwriter than as a lead guitarist.

I wish he could do both equally.


Ponrauil

I am sure that if Richie felt that his creativity was being stifled by BJ, he would be out the door. Money obviously isn't an issue. The only thing that may be holding him back is himself. It isn't like his solo albums gained him the same type of notoriety that BJ has.

Right. I think that's because even if he's the better artist in there imo, he's not as good as Jon or Desmond Child to write a hit when one is needed.


Ponrauil

Yep this is what Richie does better than almost any guitarist, perfect axamples of complimenting songs are I Am, I Wanna Be Loved, Story Of My Life most of the Bounce album too. Saying that though there is some pretty lame guitar playing like Welcome To Wherever You Are and Novocaine (the solo is pretty good) is overall weak playing. I think he has done good enough on HAND but there is a hell of a lotta room for improvement and no guitar solo's certainly don't have to be long to be good, Last Cigarette is a great little solo, Def Leppard's Animal is short but brilliant, and a lot of others.

I also think that lately he (and in fact the band in general) is trying to be a bit more subtle

Care to develop/illustrate that idea?

Ponrauil