My review of the new Bon Jovi album

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » June 19, 2007 1:39 pm

Indulge me parrothead friends! This was the review I posted on amazon.com. Lost Highway is a great CD!

When I first heard Bon Jovi was doing a country album, I was not afraid like a lot of die hard fans because I like a lot of new country. Music from people like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney fits for the child of the 70's in me who grew up with the Eagles and Jimmy Buffett among others. I was already an adult in my 20's when Bon Jovi hit the scene so unlike those who loved them as teenagers a change is not so devastating to me as say Bruce Springsteen singing someone else's folk songs was. So take my review with the grain of salt that I do love today's country music. That being said, I believe this is the finest writing this band has done since These Days, their 1995 album of introspection which didn't resonate with a lot of the 80's rock crowd at the time but now is revered as one of their best. This CD was written in Nashville and Jon, Richie and the boys wrote and played with some heavy hitters. Hillary Lindsay who co wrote Jesus Takes the Wheel among others. Big and Rich who have become honorary country cousins to the Jersey boys. Lee Ann Rimes who adds her beautiful voice to the stunning duet Strangers. And produced by Dann Huff of Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts fame and John Shanks, who has co written many Keith Urban hits. Add to this mix of talent and the anticipation of Jersey meeting Nashville personal turmoil within the band and you have the backdrop for personal and heartfelt songs which at the end of the day, whether you call this new country or Bon Jovi rock and roll (I would argue you can hear both), that is what good country music is all about.

Highlights for me are Lost Highway, the road song of the summer, Whole Lot of Leaving which features some Keith Urban style celtic stylings and reflects the inner turmoil band members were feeling, We Got it Going On which is stereotypical Bon Jovi and Big and Rich in one big old fun mash up, Seat Next To You which has a real If I Should Fall Behind quality to it about everlasting love, and Till We Aint Strangers Anymore which has Nashville duet hit written all over it.

So crank up the mature Bon Jovi on that Lost Highway- the possibilities are endless!

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » June 19, 2007 2:11 pm

I saw them on the Today Show this morning and I was underwhelmed. But I was never a fan so that's not surprising.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » June 19, 2007 2:31 pm

I haven't really liked anything he has done country-wise, yet but being somewhat of a fan I am still open.

Hell, Willie Nelson doing a reggae album scared me but I tried it and now it's in my rotation fairly often.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » June 19, 2007 2:32 pm

12vmanRick wrote:I haven't really liked anything he has done country-wise, yet but being somewhat of a fan I am still open.

Hell, Willie Nelson doing a reggae album scared me but I tried it and now it's in my rotation fairly often.

Yes, give it a try. It is really not very country. Of course today's country isn't very country either

Which is probably why I as a classic rock fan like a lot of it.

Val

a1aara · Post by **a1aara** » June 19, 2007 8:11 pm

To me the Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts , and Big & Rich connections is more than enough reason to pass this one over. Please note I'm not a Bon Jovi hater. I took the wife to see BJ on the "Have A Nice Day" tour and was impressed with the show.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » June 19, 2007 8:22 pm

a1aara wrote:To me the Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts , and Big & Rich connections is more than enough reason to pass this one over. Please note I'm not a Bon Jovi hater. I took the wife to see BJ on the "Have A Nice Day" tour and was impressed with the show.

Yes, those shows were great. If you like Who Says You Can't Go Home from the Have a Nice Day album you might like some of this. It really is more Bon Jovi than country I think.

Val

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » June 20, 2007 11:33 pm

I saw them live on the Today Show yesterday. I gave it a day then watched the videos on the Today Show's website. It was painful listening. And someone should remind Jon he's from New Jersey, not Nashville. The twang sounds ridiculous.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » June 21, 2007 8:42 am

I was just downstairs by the Today Show. Matt Lauer said Bon Jovi was so happy about the big crowd they had when they were on Tuesday they decided to have a contest giving away front row tickets to the 10 shows they're doing in New Jersey in October and November. Go here for your chance to win:
http://www6.islandrecords.com/bonjovi/n ... _id=103607

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » June 21, 2007 8:57 am

LIPH wrote:I was just downstairs by the Today Show. Matt Lauer said Bon Jovi was so happy about the big crowd they had when they were on Tuesday they decided to have a contest giving away front row tickets to the 10 shows they're doing in New Jersey in October and November. Go here for your chance to win:
http://www6.islandrecords.com/bonjovi/n ... _id=103607

Wow, thanks! I will forgive you for not loving the new CD

Val

jbfinscj · Post by **jbfinscj** » June 21, 2007 6:36 pm

I`ve never been a huge fan of Bon Jovi. When it comes to music from the Jersey area, I have always prefered Springsteen and Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. With that being said I have heard the new Bon Jovi album and do agree that it is quite good.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » June 27, 2007 2:25 pm

Bon Jovi hit Billboard #1 this week, way to go Jersey Boys! Lost Highway rocks!

Val

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » July 5, 2007 10:19 pm

Bon Jovi will never top "Shot Through the Heart" or "Living On a Prayer". Never.

Not because he's not talented, but because those songs are classics.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » July 6, 2007 7:04 am

trojan_sixtyone wrote:Bon Jovi will never top "Shot Through the Heart" or "Living On a Prayer". Never.

Not because he's not talented, but because those songs are classics.

That they are

Val