What I like about Bounce.....

I know that its unfashionable on this board to like Bounce, and by no stretch of the imagination am I saying that its the best album BJ have ever done (yes, I once said that it was, just in case anyone remembers- mainly looking at Tom there- but things change), but it has recently occured to me exactly what I do like about it, so I'm going to tell you, whether you're interested or not.

Most people say that Bounce was a step in a bad direction for BJ. I disagree. I think it was a step in an interesting new direction. The rock songs are a lot heavier: just look at Undivided, The Distance, Hook Me Up, and listen to the guitars in them. If there's one problem I've had with the band before now, its their neglect of heavier sounding songs. At the other end of the scale, we have the return to form of the epic rock ballads: Right Side Of Wrong, and to a lesser extent Joey. With heavy rock songs at one end of the scale, and epic ballads at the other end, IMO Bounce had the potential to be a classic BJ album.

The only problem is, it was a bit of a half-assed attempt, more of a baby step in the right direction. The length of the songs, production, use of drum computers, and lack of what I call "aggressive instrumentation" (basically where the drums, guitars etc. demand to make themselves heard) let it down a bit. But if they carried on further into this direction for the next album, but rectified the mistakes, I for one would be very happy

Keep On Rockin'

The problem is

I agree with what you have said. Tho bounce is my second favorite bon jovi album nothing can move keep the faith for me.

Clever insight, Walrus. I like it for the same reasons, too. I also like that they weren't afraid to show their more sensitive side. That took some guts. The biggest problem with Bounce was that it was so short. Also it wouldn't have hurt if they took off one of the many love songs and replaced it with something else.

Much respect my brother! Much respect. I was happy with Bounce, the only problem was the length of some of the songs. There were tons of songs that were 3 minutes long, they were good songs too and if they put a little more into them they would be even better. Walrus is right though, and I don't see why a lot of people don't like the music.

Ryan

agree with you, I really like the heavier guitars! but the drum computers just don't fit in, heavy guitars demand for heavy drums like Tico is defently able to do!
but I really like bounce, maybe not more than old albums but more than crush so I thought after that it was a step in the right direction more rock!

Bounce is heavier than Crush, but Crush I find more catchy!

Ryan

i think bounce potentially could have been amazing...i love the heavier sound and i think they have some great songs in there. undivided is a classic, but i feel there arnet many other which excel past the 'good song' label...im a big fan of story tellers and am so happy that joey is getting alot of 'live' time..that and RSOW where very welcome on the album for me. i just feel however, that the lack of edge on the solos doesnt help. only undivided and RSOW have decent solos i reckon. the distance obviously had its solo taken away and ready for the live arena, which i think was a wrong decison in truth cos the album version sounds tame with that killer solo. i love the vocals and harmonies on this album, that was a great step from crush, but for me, too many ballads, and fillers, and bad song selection veto the album from being very very good.

Yeah, I do think that there's a lack of real "stand out moments of genius" style tracks, but on the plus side, each song has its own identity... Its not like some of the albums you buy where its just the same song over and over again

Keep On Rockin'

For instance... St. Anger... Same sound, repetitive music. That's what makes it so horrible.

Ryan

yeah and i think cos its quite varied it has alot of pluses over TD (in reference to another post). it is a good labum...i just feel they could have done more is all...i see it more of an extension of crush rather then a brand new album.