Let's rate: Bon Jovi 2020, the album
 

So now that it leaked (the day before, just like the previous album). let's give proper first impression ratings.

My 2 cents: I've only listened to it once yet, but I'm leaning towards a decent 7. Limitless is a stinker of an opener and American Reckoning kills any kind of momentum built by DWYC, but the second half really flows nicely. Others have noted Blood on the Water, which I also agree is the best song on there. I'll also add that Unbroken, which I didn't care for when it was first released, fits very well as an album closer.

I find these threads useful for comparison purposes with previous albums - I'll put links to these threads when I find it. I hope at least some of you will agree to it and will forgive me for duplicating an existing ratings thread, which is more of a "yay or nay" type poll.

EDIT: A couple of thoughts after the second listen - I think it deserves an 8, even if I voted for 7. It's very much comparable to THINFS which I consider a good enough modern Bon Jovi record that is an improvement over both TC and WAN. American Reckoning is fine where it is - it fits with the album. The best part about Blood on the Water is not the melody or the instruments - it's the fact that it BREATHES, which is such a rare thing in modern Bon Jovi. This song, as well as Unbroken as a closer - both do a good job in reversing that trend and using extra couple minutes to build the climax, similar to Living With The Ghost. But overall, apart from Limitless, there isn't another true stinker and the songs are good enough to be listenable now and hypothetically great if we had a great voice to sing them. Oh well.

I've gone for a 6. Severely let down by the beginning and end. Some genuinely very good songs, with a couple of complete duds. Blood in the Water is one of their best songs for a LONG time.

The best Bon Jovi Album since the 90's.

Jon sounds good. Praise to John Shanks on production.

Stand-out tracks:

Beautiful Drug
Let it rain
Brother in Arms
Lower the flag:
Blood in the water: Successor to Dry County.

Also like DWYG, Limitless and AR.

8/10

Lower the flag, could have used an guitar ending liked that used live for "Thorn in my side"

I also liked Unbroken in the context of the album's flow more.

I'll do a bigger review once I digest the album more and hear the bonus tracks. I want to listen to it as it was originally intended back in May. That's the album I want to review.

I think the two biggest likes for me is the guitar work and production. A+ for Shanks on both.





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Lot of irony in that statement and one which I totally concur with!! Got to say I love the drums on it too, I can see Tico hammering the beep out of them at live shows!

Yes!!! The drumming should not be overlooked.

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I gave it an 8.

Guitar work and production are great, John Shanks and Phil X did a great job there. Also, the drums! Tico is such a good drummer. Songs with bad production drown his drums in the mix. This time he shines.

Stand out songs are Blood in The Water, Beautiful Drug and Brother in Arms. Also, the solo in Story of Love. Waiting to hear Shine and Luv Can now.

Gave it a 9/10.

I enjoyed the singles, but, although relevant, they're the weakest part of the album. It was a great surprise that overall the tracks sound clear. The drums sound authentic, you can hear everyone on the songs and the new tracklist works too (still I wanna hear the old one).

I think it's their best work for over the last 15 years.

Blood In the Water and Lower the Flag stand out from the rest. Those tracks are f****** great!

Finally happy with the sound of a Shanks album - took him some years though.. ;) Lost highway also sounds pretty good but i think Dan Huff was equally involved here