Originally Posted by Thinny (Post 1273463)

I can too. I get that. But that still doesn't make them "bad songs", just not to certain tastes. As I've said before, Richie isn't writing songs for us anymore, he's doing what he wants to do, making the music he wants, and more power to him for that.

I get what you are saying but I can't agree about Lyrics. The lyrics on Stranger spoke to me like no other album ever has when I was teenager (These Days being a close second). I could relate to so much of it. On every record there has been stuff that has grabbed me lyrically, including RSO.

Originally Posted by Captain_jovi (Post 1273459)

Funnily enough Pain IS an old song. "PAIN WHERE THERE ONCE WAS A HEART" has been registered and copywritten for a looooong time. I feel like I've heard of that title since 2007ish?

I am going to put down a hat I will eat if All that Glitters isn't the single. I think I've enjoyed it the least but Thinny is right, it is VERY modern sounding. A little Dave Grohl-y in the verses (which isn't a bad thing, Nowadays feels like a FF song).

Originally Posted by Captain_jovi (Post 1273464)

I think to me Strangers lyrics were so good because they were coming from such a soulful place. Thinking back I think I'm way off base including that album in what I'm saying.

You're right, yeah, these aren't bad songs, they're just not what they want Richie to be doing. We're already getting a mish-mash of styles and I can't pin down if I like that or not. RSO had that huge problem, it doesn't make for cohesive albums. It's the downside to recording a 100 songs in between albums, it's so jarring going from track to track. My fingers are crossed with this.

Originally Posted by Thinny (Post 1273460)

Some people want Richie to produce the type of music they are expecting from him. Hence the comment "I hope he releases something old". Because it doesn't meet the expectations that some people have based on music that was written and recorded 30 years ago does not make it bad music. It just makes people's personal expectations unrealistic. Bon Jovi suffer from exactly the same thing as do any act that has been going for 30 + years. People want them to recreate the music that makes them feel nostagic. Artists generally are not interested in sounding exactly like they did 30 years ago. But a lot of fans want nothing more.
Aftermath didn't sound like Undiscovered Soul didn't sound like Stranger. Why would the new one would like any of those?

I for one have no interest in artists recreating the same albums over and over again. We have Stranger. I don't need Stranger redeux.

I'll judge the album when it's released. Some of what I've heard I really, like some of it I don't yet, but I'm not going to fall in love or crucify anything over a few short samples.

Originally Posted by Captain_jovi (Post 1273466)

Norm's story has nothing to do with the song though. He ended the anecdote talking about how the song isn't about Kyle, more to show what a good dude Richie is.

Originally Posted by GabrielC (Post 1273467)

I'm not allowed to dislike the songs, then?
I love Aftermath and like some songs from RSO. I just don't like this new style Richie is taking. I am not expecting something, I just don't like what I've heard from the snippets. Will you allow me to disagree with you, or will you keep accusing someone that don't like something you like to be expecting Stranger 2?