TLFR Review - Finally someone who understands!
 

Looking for a little zest after a rather deflatory 'Bounce'? The trouble with 'Bounce' was quite simply that it didn't…bounce. It was OK, but at this stage in the game OK doesn't cut it. Bon Jovi had solidified their undeniably worthy status as Rock leaders with previous releases but 'Bounce' showed a chink in the armour. Oddly, it may not have been the band's fault - at least half an album's worth of superb, hooky, radio friendly material from those sessions was relegated to the netherworld of B sides. Dumb move.

So, 90 million album sales down the road and here we are with 'This Left Feels Right'. The initial press releases did not look too promising - "acoustic re-works of old hits". Yawn… But, wait a minute, some last minute snap decisions seem to have put this band back on the rails. Bon Jovi have not only re-worked these songs. They have chucked away the guitar tabs, the rule books and even some classic lyrics to breath a brand new life into a set of (mainly) 80s arena rock, big hair classics. The trepidation in the studio must have been enormous.

First up is 'Wanted Dead Or Alive'. Now this song is somewhat of a catalyst in firing up the whole MTV acoustic movement. BJ have ripped the guts out of it and started afresh and what you now hear is a well oiled, lean and mean Zepp machine complete Bonzo approved thundering drums. The familiarity of this song is well and truly broken as Jon sings "I've seen a million faces and…" Yup, it's gone! It is not a 100% success but it does give the listener some indicator of what is to come and that is, expect the unexpected.

'Livin' On A Prayer'. Could anything reek more of the 80s? Not now, no way, oh no. The 'Slippery When Wet' original has been hammered into a restrained, melancholic and poignant lament much more in keeping with Jon's Springsteen-esque urban lyrics. Complementing him on this track is actress Olivia D'Abo, whose powdery ripostes come across like a cuddlier Marianne Faithful. It's a neat idea which could have backfired horrendously but in fact works beautifully. D'Abo and JBJ really click and its nice to hear some nuances that only actors can give. It is also with this song that you began to realise two very strong pluses delivered by this album. Not only does Jon give his best vocal performance to date but Richie Sambora really goes to town on his guitar. These two explore every emotion made available to them and come out of it with flying colours. They're not making a hit album here, they're making music.

As the album travels on its mini magical mystery tour each song becomes an adventure. 'Keep The Faith' has been turned from an anthem into almost a hymn. This one falls a little short because the original is such a strong track to beat. With the way they were steering it I was kept in anticipation of a massed Harlem choir, which would certainly have given it the edge required.

In 'You Give Love A Bad Name' Jon Bon Jovi croaks like a horny ol' Louisiana bullfrog. This swinging Delta version has so much sass you can almost smell the moonshine. Later the band indulge in some nostalgic Lennon like moments on 'I'll Be There For You'.

Ultimately what marks this album out from the last few Bon Jovi albums is that each song has its own distinct flavour. A lush production from Pat Leonard gives a rare space for Jon to really fly. Piano, bells, percussion - 'Always' now even has an lilting accordion accompaniment. Upon conclusion this a record by a band that went the extra mile and, quite fittingly, it's a quite superb live take on 'The Distance' which closes the album out.

A brave experiment from a band that really only needs to be pursuing these kind of exploits simply because they can. Does it work? For the most part yes it does. 'This Left Feels Right' contains a clutch of bona fide classics, some curious diversions and is let down by being just a little too ballad orientated as it progresses.

In these days of endless cash in compilations and conveyer belt 'sounds like everything else' releases Bon Jovi are to be commended upon their bravery. It's not often the safe world of Rock churns out an album guaranteed to provoke debate. Huge respect to a band that really seems to have re-found themselves.

Aloha !

Understands what exactly? For as far as I can see, that reviewer hasn't got a clue of what making music is all about. Making music isn't reworking a quality song into something rubbish that sounds like they gave it an interesting thought while in fact any decent musician can do the same. That's not making music at all. ****ing gimp.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

I've got to say, I loved this album! Though i have to say, I hadn't heard any of the originals before i liked TLFR. Since though, I've heard all the originals and i do prefer them to the reworkings because the originals have more..life. Still, I do like TLFR, because it shows a different musical side of the band. True Seb, they did maybe "ruin" their original hits, but I thought it just showed more of their musical capability..and whether you like the product or not is a different issue. Okay now don't kill me!

So, was TLFR your first Bon Jovi record? That's cool!!

I too actually really like TLFR. I'd heard the old versions so much that I was glad to hear the reworkings. I think the TLFR version of Everyday is better than the original.

deb

Finally a great review of this wonderful album! :) Not only "Classic Rock magazine" who likes it.

I really like this album 'cause it gives a whole new mood to all the songs and some of them get even more mening.

That's exactly the reason this album was so good and so important.



Phil

I totally agree. At that point TLFR was the first truly innovative Bon Jovi effort in too long a time, and it worked really well. I think this review gets it exactly.

Ugh. TLFR was the worst piece of crap ever released by Bon Jovi.

Ice

Definately it's just crap, I don't know but people who like this don't know what good music is.

I do like it and I know what good music is.