Anyone dislike This House is Not For Sale?

I know this sounds super negative, but I really think this is an incredibly poor album. I just don't understand the direction they're going in.

The production of the album is the worst we've ever had. Jon's vocals are so doctored and reverbed that it doesn't even sound like him anymore. His voice just sounds completely out of place and doesn't even really fit with the music. I have really good friends that have better mixed albums.

I remember Jon hyping up New Years Day saying how it was a big band effort and I just remember thinking it sounded like a paint by numbers song with Jon really forcing out his words "It's New YEEEESSSSS DDDAEEEEYY"

One of my favorite songs that was kind of listenable for me was Rollercoaster, but it was such a blatant rip-off of Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle", that I can't even listen to that anymore. Why listen to a lesser version of a song.


On a board where this album is collectively loved, help me understand why you guys like it so much, because I just can't see it.

Also, is there anyone that sees it the way I do?

This is NOT me trying to just be an ass. This is me trying to see what you guys do, because I just can't like the album because of Jon's voice, boring instruments, and directionless guitar work. But maybe I'm missing something?

I agree.... except on two things - One, I think Roller Coaster is an awful song, and two, I don't see it resembling "The Middle" that much to say it's a rip off, but both songs are just standard run-of-the-mill bubblegum pop. However, thanks to you, I had to listen to RC once again to compare and now I'm sad.

My complaints are similar:
- The production is dreadful, and I believe that the songs could've been less awful with a right producer.
- Lyrics are tired, recycled, meaningless, and amateur at best on most songs.
- Jon's voice isn't right for this kind of music.
- Guitar work is non-existent, and it's evident that RS was the piece that gave this band an edge, something little that tied their new records to the past ones, and to their legacy. Phil is a great guitarist and could've filled in properly, but unfortunately it seems his only contribution on this record is in the pictures inside the sleeve.
- This would've made more sense if it were a solo Jon record, but it would still be terrible.

The band has been stagnant for a while, I think since like 2002 or so, but they still had some decent tunes on every record. Not this one tho, not in the standard format. If this thing could be made better, it would be by replacing some of the tracks with any of the 6-7 bonus tracks they released elsewhere. It would still be pop but I think it would be better. Bon Jovi have constantly omitted better songs off their records and released them as bonus tracks.

Jon wants to "evolve" and I commend that, but I don't think he's succeeded in that, he's just watered down, that's all. The entire music industry has stagnated in the digital age and there is little reward for being original or standing out. It doesn't matter if you try to fit in or stand out, the reception will be the same. That's why working with better producers, creating a proper, well-written rock record, full of guitars and whatever else this band was known for, would STILL give him a #1 record, and it would STILL drop off the charts in 2 weeks. He could put out an album of static and it would still sell. People buy Bon Jovi records because of the name printed on them, so why not sell something worth buying. The difference would be that the album wouldn't be forgotten so quickly.

I no longer consider them a rock band, simple as that, not even pop-rock. They HAD a few rock songs here and there (and most likely thanks to RS's input), but as of this record that's gone away.

Maybe you are missing out on something. It could be all about timing. It could be you've gone in a direction where what you crave in your music is absent from Bon Jovi's. It may be a good idea for you to mentally shelve it and perhaps revisit it someday when you are in a different place. There are albums I was resistant to a various points in my life that finally won me over later.

It's good you are questioning, because the majority here do actually appreciate or love the album without forcing it. New Years Day doesn't sound forced to me in the least. Living With The Ghost features some of Jon's finest lyrics out of his career.

Lost Highway was an album/time I checked out on. HAND already didn't work for me (and it still doesn't rate very high in my book) so following that up with a country album didn't work for me. I could easily make the same assessment of both albums arguing in the same way you are. Lost Highway has only grown on me over the years though as I realized it was and is a genuine effort. THINFS is exactly the same in the way of being genuine. That is where the love for it largely comes from.

After an initial fondess for the album, it's kinda faded out of view for me.

A mix of bad production, uninspired guitar work and a fair few songs that sound like rip offs left me wanting something far superior.

Maybe this is the best bon jovi album we could ever have got in the current situation? and that's what makes me not completely rip into it. It has glimpses of inspiration and a few really good songs but as an album it sinks as a whole.

Totally agreed, it's better than What About Now but that's it.

For me it's easily the best post 2000 album. I play it a lot.

The songs have a genuine quality and the energy is there. I'm feeling it.

For the stuff that's maybe less likable as mentioned above.. It is what it is at this point, they aren't able to create anything better or more rockier, but there's energy in the songs and that's what I care about. I'll put on KTF or a mix of their powersongs if I'm in the mood for that. But for the last month THINFS pretty much taken that spot for me.

I agree too. I like that Jon seems to be trying harder. It holds some of the best lyrics since These Days and they occasionally try different things. Some worked, some didn't.

The album desperately needs Richie at his best, both harmonies and guitar work. But the biggest thing that hurts this album is Jon's voice. It's shot. He can still carry a tune, but it's very weak. And then there's the production. This probably the best BJ album we can get at this point and it's not bad.

I'm glad we have this album. It has its high points. But I personally pick WAN over this everytime.

They'll never please everyone - other than wishing they had a different producer and the mistake of not keeping Teardrop and Who Would You Die For on the album - I have no complaints about it at all.

There's no songs that sound forced - it all sounds natural and like this is something Jon WANTED to say, rather than things he felt he had to say (the majority of songs on What About Now.)

And there's some really great tracks on here. Sure theres one or two "average" tracks, but even These Days and Keep The Faith had those.

I Will Drive You Home, Scars, Devils In The Temple and Living With The Ghost are all exceptional songs. Hail To The King is very good too.

Theres still songs that are growing on me too.

I'll probably never give it the million or so listens Keep The Faith had but that's more to do with me being into so much different music other than just Bon Jovi unlike when I was thirteen.

I am also rather on the negative side here, although I acknowledge that from a purely compositional perspective, this could be the best after ... Destination Anywhere??

It is the awefull production and totally uninspired guitar work that kill it.

I mean NYD, LWTG, GBTM , they would all be super cool if the sounding was a bit more natural. I mean I dont care about the vocals, let them be evidently edited. But give me some vibrant, lively orchestration, some groove like we used to have!! This band used to have real groove! I mean take a simple demo like "All I Wanna Do Is You". It is f@ckin A!!

So lately I have only been listening a bit to reunion, real love and drive you home. Because they had the type of melodies and instruments that could not be ruined by the production, I suppose thats why they are quite enjoyable. Yes Scars also, a bit cliche but ok. And Labor Of Love is good - missing solo and backvo.

My main complaint is Phil X, a real guitar player that could have taken this band to the next level, is hardly used.

Other than that it's a good solid album with the token few duffers.