I'll kick the full reviews off. Keep in mind this is only after a few listens through. Read if you can be bothered (I know it's a bit lengthy!).
This House Is Not For Sale... when I heard it when it was released as the lead single, I was so underwhelmed. I thought it wasn't bad, but it was the typical Jovi lead single that sounded too much like a not-as-good version of Have a Nice Day. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a good song, it's just not what I wanted.
Living with a Ghost is marvelous. I think the verses are a little too thin when Jon performs it live, but the song itself is amazing. Unlike THINFS, it sounds fresh! I relate it to That's What the Water Made Me, in that it just sounds like a polished modern pop/rock song. This is what post 2010-Jovi should be sounding like. And I love that it is about Richie.
Labor of Love is sweet and the lyrics are so cleverly written musically. "Sweet sweat's rolling down the back of your spine". How easy does that flow. And I love the repeated line at the end of every verse. It's very well put together. For me, it's not a standout track, but a great track nonetheless. I consider it a good (but not-as-great) relative of Lonely. And yes, they couldve done more with the outro. A smooth guitar would've worked well.
Knockout seems to be really be dividing people. Personally, I love it. The hard hitting, aggressive chorus is ridiculously fun to sing, especially the "Go start a fire..." part. My fav part is the lead up as the final chorus hits (typical Jovi but they do it well). I really like the subtle piano/synth throughout the pre-chorus. It's a shame the production on the studio version is probably the worst on the album. Having said that, I have grown accustomed to it and now it just sounds normal.
The first time I heard Born Again Tomorrow play on that live facebook stream I was taken back a bit (in a good way!). Such an awesome track. It does come close to the line of being too dance/electronic (for Jovi), but I think they got it just right with this one. I wasn't a fan of Take Back the Night so I was unsure I would like this one, but i'm glad with the final outcome. I think the guitar solo works really well also.
ROLLERCOASTER!! My favourite track at the moment on the entire album. The chorus is a blast! So fun, and I love the lyrics. They fit so well. I hope this becomes a setlist staple. I actually like the production of this one. The low-key parts have that atmospheric echo feel to them, allowing the chorus to burst in with such energy. My one complaint is Jon's voice on the studio version. It's nearly as bad as the chorus of Im With You from WAN. Similar to Knockout though, after a few listens it sounds normal, so meh.
New Year's Day is an odd one for me. I like it, but I don't seem to like it as much as others seem to be liking it. It does have that Living With a Ghost/Water Made Me sound to it, and it does sound modern and fresh, I just don't think it is as good in comparison to some of the other tracks. I think this track will grow old for me in the future.
When I first heard the studio snippet to Devil's in the Temple I was disappointed that the synth was so low in the mixed in the chorus compared to the live version. I got over it quickly though because this really is such a great track. The verses sound like something off Have a Nice Day and the chorus is just killer. Best part is the musical bit and the bridge, leading up to the chorus. So good! And I love the line "the devil's in the temple and he's makin a mess, he's got the Mona Lisa, got his hands up her dress". Brilliant. Definitely one of the highlights on the album and a true rock song.
With such a solid first half of an album, I was bound to come to a song that I don't really enjoy all that much - and that song is Scars on this Guitar. I can appreciate slow, soft ballads, but this one just bores me. It gives me the same vibe as She's a Mystery. I'll be skipping this one often I think. I do however like the part "so I thank my lucky stars, for every crack, scratch and scar on this guitar" and the little guitar tune after it. I really hope this doesn't get played live on the tour. *cue toilet break*
God Bless this Mess is on par with New Year's Day for me - it's a solid track, but not a standout. The fact that is sounds so much like THINFS annoys me a little. The bridge also sounds nearly identical to the bridge in Living With a Ghost. I do like the bridge though. It's a good song overall.
Damn Reunion is a grower. I was disappointed when I heard it was going to be included on the album, but in the end it didn't turn out that bad. It's cliche, light, cheesy and does have a riff that sounds like it's straight out of Whole Lot of Leavin', but at the end of the day it's catchy and uplifting. And to be honest it ain't that bad musically as well. I am very afraid it's going to become a setlist staple though, which is something I definitely do not want.
Come on Up to Our House has a nice riff, but that's all I really like about it unfortunately. The solo ain't terrible, I guess. It sounds like a filler mid-tempo pop track from the Bounce era. It's one of only two tracks (the other being Scars on this Guitar) that I already want to skip. I really hope it doesn't become a single. Jon's love for this song and the fact that they've already shot the music video for it makes me afraid that it will become a single. It will be a crime if this is chosen as a single over strong songs like Roller Coaster or Ghost. It's funny cos mid chorus I always go to sing "soon there'll be toys, for the good girls and boys..." from I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas. I think it has a similar melody at that point.
I truly have grown to love Real Love. Yes it sounds sooo much like Blind Love (which I liked btw), but this feels like it has more atmosphere and emotion. Plus I really like the slight raspiness in Jon's voice in the chorus and the harmony that comes in later on. The piano and strings are beautiful, and although I think it could've had a bigger, stronger climax and outro, overall I genuinely like this song.
With a riff that sounds similar to Springsteen's Born to Run, All Hail the King is one of the more rockier tracks. It's a solid song, but again, like New Year's Day and God Bless, I dont seem to like it as much as others seem to like it. If I was ranking the album, this one would sit somewhere in the middle. I do like the basis of the lyrics though and its back story. Sometimes it reminds me of the verses of Last Man Standing from HAND.
We Don't Run... I. freaking. love. this. song. That is all.
After three listens I'm already converted to I Will Drive You Home. I wasn't sure at first, but I do like it now. It does sound very manufactured, but you know what, it works for this track. Jon's low tone sounds really good in this song, and the weird-ass ending kind of adds to the track's charm. A fitting bonus track IMO.
Man I am pleasantly surprised with Goodnight New York. It's nothing amazing, but I find it really really enjoyable to listen to and sing along to. I love the line "New York, New York, so fine they named you twice". It's just a fun song, plain and simple. And I really like the group vocals in the final chorus'. It really makes it feel like a cheerful and friendly song. This would've been a great album closer instead of Come On Up to Our House. The guitar riff sounds a little U2-esque at some points.
Overall, what a solid album. I am so happy and impressed with it. I will refrain from making any bold statements such as "it's the best album since *insert album here*", but it definitely has left a mark already. I'll give it a month or two at least before I make that call.
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Anthony
Perth - January 25, 2008
Perth - December 8, 2010
Sydney - December 17, 2010
Sydney - December 19, 2010 (I Believe!!!)
East Rutherford - July 25, 2013
Melbourne - December 7, 2013
Melbourne - December 8, 2013
Perth - December 12, 2013
Sydney - December 8, 2018
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