Legendary - new single

I mean, to be fair, Bon Jovi now is a band that had so many "bad" albums than "vintage" or "good" albums judging by fanbase here (including me). So Bon Jovi by numbers is really this, lacklustre radio friendly middle of the road inoffensive pop rock. After WAN, I personally just grew out of expecting something new or groundbreaking or return to form, and then Richie left so even worse.

But I do understand your perspective and others' perspectives, as I wouldn't be here if there is not a trace of hope that something really good gets recorded. Again, I question should we reconsider a bit: by any rule or standard, a disjointed band of millionaires 40 years into their existence have no business putting out such a good song as Blood in the Water. Yes, its minority versus junk such as Do What You Can or whatever the name was. But few songs every album and with Jon's work rate you have a collection of very very good songs post-2000 already.

Generally, in my view every artist has it in them 3 or 4 great albums in terms of musicianship, songwriting, inspiration, whole package. Bon Jovi had their run ended with TD in 1995 and it was a glorious run, elevating them in rock history. Would it be better for their legacy if they just stopped after let's say HAND and called it quits? Yeah, probably. But then again, I learned to enjoy several of newer songs for what they are, basically a treat after the end times of a normally functioning band. After all, it will soon be over for real, Tico is 70 already. I was mad with Jon for a decade, but not anymore. But to each their own.

In any case it's hard to expect fresh novel creativity from 60+ years old songwriters. So I pick grateful instead of resentful for myself, hence I do not judge so harshly new singles as Legendary. Yeah its bland, I joke with my friends how bland it is. I get my music fix from newer artists and different directions nowadays. But still, I would like that this band has another hit; it doesn't mean I need to listen to it too much

EDIT: One thing though that bothers me since at least This House album. I see it as a major problem that Shanks is BFF with Jon. Disregarding the quality of the production choices (arguable on many occasions; whenever Shanks did too much, he destroyed the potential of the song, e.g. I'm with you or This is love, this is life, potential rock hits with different approach), but the even more pressing issue I see is his hesitation to keep Jon in studio for more quality takes. For that, you need a more professional approach, maybe even a set of fresh ears. Keep the Faith was an excellent record in large part because Bob Rock insisted that it would be. For example, Labor of Love could be a real modern Jovi classic, but so lazy vocals on parts of it are bringing it down. Also, We don't run, chorus is completely different in tone than verses (more nasally, less powerful when it should be opposite). And it's not a case like on 2020 when Jon really couldn't do better (there, I think even his fragility gives a lift to songs, as well as more backed off approach by Shanks).

Same things that make it a bad rock song.

Great points !


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Aloha !

A bad pop song means:
1. A lack of original melodies and chorusses
Comparison to Limitless and When We Were Us were quickly made. And apart from that, Taylor Swift's written a rather similar song as well. Once again, they're "influenced" by someone else and turned into something unoriginal as opposed to something of their own.

2. An Over-reliance on gimmicks.
Bon Jovi constantly feel that aadding more Oooh's and aaah's to the chorusses means singing along. It doesn't. Nor is adding more drums to the drums (4 on the floor). It's the equivalent of Michael Bay constantly adding more explosions to each Transformers sequel to make them "better"). It's as if they've never understood their own formula.

3. Poor production.
It's pretty hard to distinguish the sound of every instrument. It's just a wall of reverb. Even Jon is drowning in the backing vocals nowadays.

4. Weak lyrics.
There's no hook and the mention of other songs is a gimmick to give their audience a general "feel good" feel.

5. Chasing the sound of yesterdays pop.
They're still trying to sound like a mix of Imagine Dragons with a bit of Kings of Leon as opposed to something fresh. It's as if Jon stopped listening to the radio since he got a subscription to Spotify and is only fed songs through his algorhythm. It's what happens when you stick to the same producer decade after decade.

I'm well aware that Bon Jovi ticked several of these boxes in the past. It's My Life is by no means a lyrical masterpiece. However, one or two of these boxes is alright. You're in trouble if you tick them all.

Bon Jovi were never that original but by sticking to the same sound eventually a new song will sound dated just for sounding like yesterdays Bon Jovi. If they'd change the production and overal sound of the song it'd have been received rather differently and maybe even fresh.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Great post.

You always get your points across very clearly, and I can see where you are coming from, even if we don't always agree.

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I think on the 1st point, all of music is "influenced" by others, I don't see that as problematic. But I think Jon doesn't really undestand that when taking from Taylor Swift it's not melodies and music that makes Swift popular phenomenon, but a whole package of connecting with teenage girls (and then more broadly). Her songs are rather bland, so unfortunate that Jon goes there for inspiration instead of trying a bit of alt or indie influences (or even Dua Lipa with her fresh take on synth pop with Tame Impala influences), but this is probably reaching too far for Jon

2nd point I agree, the most cringe part of modern Jovi sound are these manufactured hooks by Shanks. I mean you can do oohs and uuufs (like, for example, Arcade Fire does on every other song) but less cringe than this

3. is completely on point, Shanks really misses the point in this day and age. I thought with 2020 it was a step in right direction, at least with production of some of the songs. I would very much like to ask Shanks his opinion on production of ,e.g., Billie Eilish, with her minimum sound. Or bands such as D. C. Fontaines. My guess is he would be speechless, I don't know. Its' easy to dimiss indie bands with their lo-fi, but Billie Eilish is THE pop sensation of early 20's, proving that pop and popular and hits don't need to be middle of the road bubblegum elevator music

For Jon not keeping with music, I think he even tries, but the blame is on producer, and then again, blame is really on Jon for sticking with him. Its safe space, its tried and tested, but then again, is it tested? Shanks didn't produce a hit since HAND. Jon of yesterdays would dismiss him after Make a Memory tanked. But somehow he survived, probably because friendship evolved (and/or Jon was feeling safe with him with his diminishing vocals as time passed)

Yes, whatever it is, we have been in the band's decline for 10 years now, and this usually happens, I would only ask that at least it be done in style, which unfortunately is not happening, it is simply repeating the same thing for a long time, more than 10 years.

Legendary could have been incluyed with those songs from the ultimate Greatest Hits 2010, and no one would have cared. The only difference would have been that it would be better mixed, Jon's voice would sound better and we would have Richie doing a little guitar solo. God how I miss these little things.

But hey, at least we're still here.




.

Very well written, thoughtful and insightful post. I enjoyed reading it.


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Guys, you should understand that Shanks makes Bon Jovi sound the way Jon always wanted since It's My Life.

Most importantly, Jon feels protected with Shanks because Shanks know how shitty his vocals are since HAND. The first time he used other producer was with This Left Feels Right, when Jon tried to tune down hits like Always.

There's a pattern here, guys. He probably feels shielded.

I never understood the power many people attribute to Shanks. Like he is driving the Bon Jovi sound and dictating the direction of the music. When in reality he is an employee who follows Jon's vision just like the rest. Anything Shanks does is only done with Jon's blessing. I don't think he is a very good producer either way, but he is not to blame for the way Bon Jovi sounds.