I almost lost my faith when I hit reality...
 

...yesterday I got my Bounce copy: I thought I would have had to wait till Monday being in Europe but the record shop was there... you know what i mean... well I got straight back at home and at first listening, believe me, it was one of the first BJ records I couldn't really say wheter I liked it or not. I try to explain: apart from the stuff I had already heard from Mtv (basically the NY gig stuff) I thought there was too much piano and that it was too much string arranged: to make it clear I was a little bit disappointed. I listened to the whole record for a second time and I have to admit it grew a lot on me: can't stop playing it now!! However I think the rock stuff sounds MUCH better than the ballads in this record: but I may change my mind these days. So far ballads in Bounce seem to lack that something that makes a BJ ballad a stellar hit (just like Bed of roses, Always or I'll be there for you) but that's just a two day listening sensation. Happy to see Desmond Child back with the guys for more than one track.

Giulio

That was the feeling I had as I listened to the songs as well. This album is definitely a grower... but I really wanted it to hit me through the head and explode like a bomb. I´m a bit tired of "grower albums" so I can say I´m also a little disappointed. Not that I didn´t like the album, it´s just that I expected something and got another thing. That "heavy rock" and "guitar album" talk I have heard already before Crush :?

Yep, the ballads are softer than ever. But I still
like Joey and Right Side of Wrong. But overall
the ballads are not building up towards sort
of an explosive end, like on the These Days record.
They are um...nice...not great...nice :)

Thought the live version of Joey was already
better than the album version, cause Richie
is somewhere on the background on the album.

Kris

Um....can't wait to buy the album tomorrow :D

To be fair I don't think the band will ever make a ballad like Always, I think that is a one off

This is the first Bon Jovi album that I can say I love all of the songs on it! I think its a brilliant one and I cannot wait to go and hear them live!

Bounce hit at the first time and I was totally blown away.

And even thought it hit me... it's growing on me right about now.

PS: Have had it for 10 days.

This album also blew me away at first listen. I have had access to stream at Amazon.com since 9/3. I can't wait to hear it on a real CD.

I rarely love a CD on first listen. With Bounce, I was totally blown away by the vocals on first listen, but knew some of the music would have to grow on me. I've had the CD only two days (plus access to Amazon where I had to put up with too much buffering), and the songs that I didn't just LOVE at first are really growing on me.

Becky

Well, I just got my Japanese copy yesterday. I haven't even had the chance to listen to it all the way through. But what I have heard I really like, especially The Distance, Open All Night, and Bounce. I like it, but These Days and New Jersey will always be my favorites. I love the pictures on the cover of this one.