Why I am NOT done...

Heh. Nice one. Too true.

But on the other hand, all is not lost. There's been enough glimpses over the years and this is probably the last chance they'll have to get it right.
I am very very happy that IML brougth them back to great success and longevity even if I loathed the song the minute I listened to it. Hell, I'm not even very hard to please, I don't mind their usual brand of cheesy pop/pop-rock, it's just an evolution of their 80s cheesy metal-pop or whatever you want to call it. It's a big part of who they are and they manage to balance it pretty well when they are up for the task. Which they haven't since forever, that's true.

But I can make three pretty decent CDs out of all their post 2000 albums and wouldn't get tired of listening to them. I'm including almost all Crush, most of Bounce (oh yeah!), and the best parts of the others. Best thing is that I'm not even counting b-sides there (which are by far the best). You'll find Say it isn't So, Capt. Crash, I Got the Girl, Misunderstood, Who Says, and similar songs there. Bite me

I'm not close minded at all. My first challenge as a fan was Crush. I didn't expect TD part2 (though I fervently hoped for it) and I adjusted to the new sound. Just like I adjusted from the 80s (songs that I liked but where too similar to many other that I also liked) to the 90s when I became a real fan because that was the sound I felt connected to. That *something* is still present and there's a little bit hidden in every album. Has the quality decreased? Do we even have to discuss it? I'd say almost nobody is going to deny it. Have they lost their BJ-ness? No, I honestly think if they wanted, they could do so much better.

My problem is not 100% about the quality of their music. We want our favorite bands to stay on top forever, but sadly they all fall down (pun intended lol). It's pretty unrealistic to expect otherwise. It's not that a fan has to be blindy loyal, some will, some others won't and it's ok. But lowering expectations is hardly becoming a gullible fan. You adapt and accept the new direction or you don't. I adapted and accepted regarding THE MUSIC which is why I'm following them now, in 2016. Of course there have been many disappointments and you feel a disconnection. Again, hardly surprising.

But things get into dangerous territory when fans not only accept but want this new version of the band. Obviously it's not the case in this board (or maybe there are some traitors here lol) but the way Jon wants to re-write history with every album, one has the feeling that what they are trying to do is guide the most gullible fans (the casuals, the ones that are not here for insignificant things like quality and sincerity of the lyrics) to their safe but tired formula that has given them many #1 tours. Fast food music for a tasteless and easily entertained public. No wonder why they don't step up their game.

I'd say critizising their direction post Crush (I'd say post Bounce but nobody here likes that album *sniff*) is not at odds with still being a fan and enjoying a song once in a while, or even an album (or a couple, or three...). If nobody complains, they are not going to change, are they? I stated on other posts the reasons why I think they don't move from their bland/safe position, mostly fear of being replaced and forgotten in no time since they have never been seen as more than a popular band from the 80s, and probably never will. Critizising them is also hoping for a bright future where BJ makes quality music once the casuals have turned to other popular bands that haven't saturated the market for so many years. That will happen, or is already happening, so I guess we're at a crossroads here.

Instead of making a "Team BJ 80s" VS "Team BJ 90s" VS "Team BJ is crap after TD" contest, I'd say, let's turn the page and start a damn new chapter. It's long overdue.

Problem with the business is that IMO, it's all over the place, much more than the music. Maybe not in the USA, but here BJ haven't been popular since the 90s and you bet if there's a piece of news about them, it's gonna be Jon and his CEO & political adventures. His charities as well, that's thankfully true, but anything related to music is push to the background. Since IML really.
And I come here and I see more and more of the same, and like I said before, when they interview him you rarely hear about the music (I didn't say the band because they aren't present at interviews anymore), their focus now is everything else.

Every time I hear Jon say that the music is what he does, not what he is, I want to scream at him "then quit you idiot!". Oh, but he wouldn't have so many $$$ in his pockets. I know he doesn't mean songwriting (the important stuff to me) but the whole cliché rock&roll star life, but it always comes across as condescending. And don't get me started when Mr. CEO is in a bad mood on a show. He WHAAAAAT?? So thousands of fans have paid a pretty penny to see him only to be subjected to the whims of a grown ass man?? Gimme a break! That part leaves me with such a bad taste every time I hear it. I could understand him being a miserable SOB at interviews, if it was me I would be a mega bitch sure, stupid same questions over and over, I get it and I find most of those interviews amusing, but on his day job? FFS, this is downright disrespectful. How rock&roll of him… NOT! He has aged gracefully, but his attitude hasn't. Show some respect for your fans, they are here because they like the music, the lyrics, the show, whatever. They don’t have to put up with your tantrums! I can forgive the mediocre albums, the disastrous vocals, but not the piss poor shows they have, depending on Jons mood. Are we crazy??


So this post sums up very well what BJ have been to me for the last 5 years. Outside the music. And it's not a pretty sight. I don't even know why the focus changed so much, it hasn't even been beneficial for them. Focusing again on the music would be such a welcome change...

I understand your point and share it to a certain degree. It's the lack of enthusiasm to share anything beyond the album (~ the intimate stories) with us. It's this completely insane enthusiasm aiming into a totally different direction (~ sports). I feel stupid as a fan but I have to accept that the guy follows his own path and therefore has changed. It's his right to do so. Still - to me it's a sad thing.

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Becky support this 100%! I've drifted away here there but you've been constant here at JoviTalk. I login one in a while and I see your posts all the time. You were here when I started (around the Crush era) but are still here now.

In my opinion Bon Jovi have gone downhill since then.

Still really appreciate the Keith Urban CD/DVD you sent me. I definitely look at him in a different light now. What an amazing guitarist. All my mates (who appreciate good music) and my Dad love Shelby County Jail. 😉

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Rob, it's good to see you. I have a friend who's not really into music at all, but she loves Shelby County Jail too. I'd question if you had a pulse or not if you didn't enjoy that one.