Is it time to stop making albums..
 

..and become just a touring band?

Assuming Richie comes back of course. Gone are the heady days of NJ, KTF and TD, hell even Bounce and HAND are bonafide classics next to the last two albums. I wouldn't have a problem if they toured every 2/3 years and just dug into the vast catalogue of material from the last 30 years.

Thoughts?

Nah because that would classify Bon Jovi as a nostalgia band. Jon has clearly stated many times that they want to be relevant (we all know they're not) and the moment that relevancy goes and nostalgia comes in it will be game over. What I will say for Jon, as much as we slag him off and slag recent albums you have to admire his longevity for his integrity and credibility.

I don't think so. The last two albums have been lackluster, but I do believe they might have another pretty good record in them. I can see it in songs like Water, I'm With You, and Room at the End of the World. I'd like to think as they get older, they get wiser and realize that the big hit they/Jon chase(s) is not gonna happen, and they can focus on more artistic content.

Of course, this is contingent on Richie coming back.

If there was a choice, I'd rather they become a band who makes good albums and doesn't tour rather than a band who has good tours and doesn't make albums.

Won't happen. If that were to happen, then they would have become what Jon fights so hard for them not to become, a nostalgia act. Same may argue that is what they are but as long as there is new material, they will keep touring.

Absolutely not. I'd rather have new albums than more tours if it came down to one or the other.

Nope, I still enjoy the albums. They obviously don't compare to any of their best work but I still find plenty to enjoy about the new stuff taken at face value and for what they are as a band nowadays. I still look forward to new Bon Jovi music and will continue to do so.

NEVER.

I love WAN

And ditto from me..:)

Jon will keep making new records. He needs to have the confidence in his deeper song writing, rather than writing a album and then adding a 'hit song' as track 1. He sucks up to the overweigh US housewife too much, who don't actually care about the music that much, and will support/love whatever he/ BJ does. For a guy who is desperate for critical respect, it's an odd approach.

That said I really like The Circle, WAN was some good moments, but the album as a whole has been destroyed by a concious decision on the production to make it completely pop with no rock (a point discussed many times before). IMO the basis of the songs is there though (for most of the album).

WOW thanks for making all of us American female fans overweight housewives!!!! Very kind of you......... NOT!!