Could this album be less commercial??

No rock n roll bands do anymore

It's the vocals. You need the vocals for a "BJ epic song". Imagine always released TLFR style and you get my point.

So, the slim chance there could've been, it's gone now.

The thing that I never uderstood is that even though he was losing his voice they made the songs simpler, they didn't made up for it with better music. It's like everything went downhill from there, from the licks to the lyrics.

It's very possible that they just ran out of creative juice (I think that's a scientific term) When you start second guessing your audience and trying to write for a certain demographic you're screwed. I'd be surprised if Jon and Richie sit down with a pen and paper and naturally write about living your life etc. It's My Life may have been their biggest hit of the past twenty years but it's hindered every album since.

thanks for your comments guys, was interesting to see what you all thought!!

this is how i see it......

The music business has massivly changed...downloads etc, that cant be argued, so the business that the band have grown up in and were hugely successful in has gone.

In the Uk a recent example of ageism has cropt up regarding radio 1, they refuse to play robbie williams new song as he is 38 years old and they feel he dosent appeal to there demographic. Now radio 1 is were everyone 16-35 goes to for there new music. They have made it quite clear that nobody above that age will get airplay, jovi could write an amazing song and it wont get airplay on radio 1, which means it wont get downloaded, which means it wont figure on the charts. However it will get airplay on radio 2....people who would go and buy the single if it was available in shops, but people who arnt likely to download it.

I think this is a recurring theme, not sure what its like in other countries but thats definatly the case for the UK, hense there will be really successful albums (i think in the uk they are often no1 or no2) as older people who make up the majority of there fanbase, prefer to actually hold and have a purchase rather than a file on a computer. Even the new crush fanbase that was picked up will be approaching there mid 20's now!!!

Unless something obscure occurs i cant see jovi having another hit in the Uk, an x factor appearance got born to follow to number 25, but there albums and tours will continue to sell really well, and give jon something to brag about durng interviews.

Recent interviews seem to show he has realised this, or at least he is starting to, so my hope for this album.....big anthems, and songs they truely believe in.....the fighter seems promising!!!

Gunner
x

I think if they were to have written It's My Life now, exact same song, lyrics, tune and have it the lead single in 2013, it wouldn't work. It came at the right time in Bon Jovi's career.

Coldplay,
U2,
Nickelback (extremely unfortunate)

are bands I'm sure have sold around 10 million within the last couple albums released.

Not true. Coldplay-rock band? really?(and still not true)
U2- last album was failure.
Nickelback- maybe in 2006 or so and never again.

Bon Jovi sold 10 million within the last couple albums released.
Not really the point here.

Once upon a time big rock bands would sell 15+, or even 20+ million records and have massive singles and influence on charts and pop culture. That was the main point I believe. But you already know this, still you have to reply and consequently start a fight just because its rdkopper you are replying to. Its pathetic really.

Coldplay is as much of a rock band as post 2000 Bon Jovi is a rock band. You may not like them, but they're rock. They sold 8 million albums last record.

U2's last album still sold over 5 million and Dismantle was a huge succss selling over 10 million.

Nickelback has sold 50 million albums have have 7 records.

And was released what, 8 years ago?

Sure, but it's proving that U2 as a rock band selling albums is still relevant. 10 million and 5 million respectively is extremely impressive.