[TheseDaysEra]

a lot of you may say this is a pointless discussion and, in a way, you're probably right. We can't really compare Richie solo efforts to the mother lode. or can we ?
if you listen to one record straight after the other, you'll know what I mean. they're sonically different, their styles are different. production wise, they're different.
but it does make you think doesn't it ? how can a band effort sound so, erm... bland ? (i don't dislike it !) and than the guitarist's solo album sounds so soulful ?it's less overproduced, it's got balls, emotions, dynamics. the guitar sounds are amazing, the riffs are killer. the drum sound is way more interesting than the ones we hear on Jovi record. in fact, it seems that, sonically speaking, Bon Jovi have sounded the same since Crush. Maybe they can't figure out how to use that SSL desk properly at Jon's studio ?

Hell, I don't know. but it does put forth the question: how much was Richie involved in the making of the last Jovi album ? We've been discussing this a lot: a lot of people claim there was little involvement of the band, others say it's just a conspiracy theory. truth is, shouldn't Jovi albums sound like band albums ? How many songs are co-credited to Richie ? 4, 5 ?

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to see Bon Jovi live at least another 20 times until they call it a day. But, in all honesty, I could do without an album for a looooooooooooong time. they always claim they're taking some time off but it never really happens. surely, The Circle was released in 2009. Not 4 years ago, more like 3 years and a few months ago.
We all know they're not getting any younger. But in name of the music, I would prefer to hear another couple of Richie albums in the foreseeable future, rather than band's albums. In fact, Jon himself should put out another solo record. I really liked the tracks he wrote for the movie. he always looks happy doing those acoustic gigs. it suits him. people get old, people move on, people find different interests. It's pointless and deceiving to believe Bon Jovi will put on shows like they used to 'back in the 90's when Jon's voice was bla bla bla'.

Some people perpetuate their longevity. Or at least they stretch it beyond the limits. Like Springsteen or Steven Tyler. It happens that this isn't the case when it comes to Jon Bon Jovi. Go figure. blame it on whatever you want. but it is what it is.
I find it a bit painful to listen to Jon singing certain songs live nowadays. I'll tip my hat to him for trying. But it's not just a matter of vocal range. his voice has changed completely and doesn't seem to fit certain songs anymore.

There's little he can do about it, I'm afraid. I never heard of a miraculous surgery that makes you sound like you're 25 when you're in fact 51. I've suggested (not that the band will ever know about it anyways) that they should change the key on certain songs to accommodate Jon's 'new' voice. as the entrepreneur and CEO that he is, always so self aware of things, I'm pretty sure he's considered that exact same thing so, again, I tip my hat to him. the fact that he still sings in such high key means he's not THAT lazy. He still sound pretty decent on the records. But Richie sounded WAY better live on the last tour. Shouldn't Jon learn anything from that ?

[bounce442]

I think it's okay to compare the two.

I honestly think Richie has two songs that blow away everything on WAN and there are 2 or 3 more that are better than roughly 60-70% of WAN. But overall, I like WAN better as an album.

[IML88]

Well they put both Jon and Richie's solo stuff on the deluxe version so I guess you can compare.

I agree, Richies album has got two, maybe three tracks that beat anything on WAN but as an album WAN is better.

Its proving a frustrating listen, I want to shake the album and wake it up. Where is the guitar?! Aftermath had some great guitar work which i'd have liked to have seen more of on the new band record.

[DevilsSon]

Sorry - I find it too difficult to read your post. Paragraphing would certainly help.

As in terms of the two - Aftermath wins, hands down. Not the best of all records, badly produced too. But hell, at least there are some songs there that are genuine and rock hard. Plus, Richie is actually playing guitar on it. Unlike the Jingle Bells with echo effects that I hear on this record.

[RonJovi]

For me, What About Now is a better album but tracks 7-10 on AOTL are absolutely tremedous songs that WAN struggles to match (That's What the Water Made Me and What's Left of Me aside).

Those 4 songs alone should have seen AOTL do much better than it did.

[TheseDaysEra]

Originally Posted by DevilsSon

Sorry - I find it too difficult to read your post. Paragraphing would certainly help.

sorry, 'twas a final thought before bedtime.. ! lol

[liljovi93]

Aftermath for me, by a mile.

The album has some balls, it's written from a personal point of view and isn't an album that's full of pop songs or boring ballads. This isn't to say that WAN is but I feel it's got too many of them.

Richie's album has some excellent guitar solos, better vocals and is an album I can easily listen to over and over again. Fantastic record.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by DevilsSon

As in terms of the two - Aftermath wins, hands down. Not the best of all records, badly produced too. But hell, at least there are some songs there that are genuine and rock hard. Plus, Richie is actually playing guitar on it. Unlike the Jingle Bells with echo effects that I hear on this record.

This. Aftermath isn't perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than WAN. Like DevilsSon said, at least there are guitars on it. And I even like the songs better.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I still think Bon Jovi should quit. We'd get much better music if the guys went solo and stopped caring about making hits and radio-friendly, "relevant" songs.


Ice

[bjcrazycpa]

For me WAN. I only like 2 songs on Aftermath.

[ticos_stick]

I enjoyed Aftermath for a while and it still is worthy of the odd listen. WAN got boring almost immediately. No contest.