What is it that Bon Jovi never had?

respect!

I disagree. I think some Bon Jovi songs have very good bass lines. Songs like BTBMB, just listen to the bass in the chorus! Or KTF. Or Livin' On A Prayer. There's lots to play, in fact so much that most bass players can't play Bon Jovi songs right, because they think they're easy. Hugh's a very good player and he plays for the song, much like Tico. Tico never plays anything flashy, but people still consider him a good drummer.

Ice

What do they lack? hmmm probably respect. I mean they do get alot of respect but not as much as i think they deserve cos bands like rolling stones and u2 get more respect and they are just as good as them. And some of you "fans" seem 2 moan about them all the time so u need 2 respect them more there is enough critics let alone fans running them down, i understand that u dont have 2 like everything they do and im not one of those fans who cant say anything bad about them but some of you take it 2 far.. so respect.

That "respect from their fans" part. I so second that.

But unfortunately people's a one big herd. Eventually they will repeat what critics and journalists say, even when they do like what has been criticized.

I don't see the point in that and I can't agree with it. It is because they lack direction, as RichieW2001 said, that they are being criticised for some of their decisions. I agree that they have lost their direction. Yes, they may have done something new with Crush, then Bounce, then TLFR, but this only ILLUSTRATES their lack of direction. They aren't consistent and its no wonder so many new releases get mixed responses. I think they lack CONSISTENCY.

I know they have some good bass lines, that's why I said 90% of their lines are basic, and not 100%. The ones you stated are the ones that come to mind first for a lot of people I guess. I also appreciate In These Arms, or HomeBound Train fo example. But it's rare that I find more than 2 songs per album that has a more than basic bass line. From what I expect from a rock band, it's poor.

Ponrauil

I'm one of those people who've talked about their lack of direction. The thing is one can criticize with respect (Bleeding Purist), or one can criticize and simply bash the band (not gonna mention any names here). Bon Jovi has too many fans who criticize and bash. And the band really doesn't deserve this kind of attitude from their fans.

I think with TLFR they are very much pleasing themselves-- it's sure not pleasing the vocal majority on this message board.

Did you not just say that the band needs to please themselves? If the band does prefer Bounce tracks vs. New Jersey and decides to play those.. wouldn't they be doing exactly what you told them to do in their intial statement?

It sounds like you are saying they need to please themselves but only so long as pleasing themselves equates to New Jersey, SWW, or These Days.

i stated that if bounce pleases them more than KTF, jersey etc then surely they are moving away from rock into pop.

what it equates to is a large record company with too much control.

and as for TLFR, that proves my point. we don't like it but it fits in with the norm at the moment. hey, norah jones has done it and has been successful, why don't we release an album full of smoky cabaret lounge music?

I have not thought about this before but it's possible indeed. Which only supports the idea that Bon Jovi is pretty much over.