It’s strange how I love the guy whose music I don’t even listen, and probably I know most of his hits. This peculiar relation is due to the bad choices of the second half of Bon Jovi’s career. At the same time, I smile whenever I hear a song from that era. It is also strange that I had a blast at his concert, but wrote many hate-mails regarding the same. Finally, writing the review of the latest album by pop-rock golden boy is just another evidence of my masochism.
Thirteen studio album titled This House Is Not For Sale is a record with only few important input parameters and only one output. Inputs are: Richie Sambora left the band, he can return whenever he likes, and bassist Hugh McDonlad gained a status of a regular member after 23 years. Output is: this is the ultimate Bon Jovi album! No, he did not decide to experiment. No, he did not record a progressive album. No, he did not step into the electronic scene.
The central theme is integrity. A lot of chaotic things happened to him – Sambora left, the break of a long-term contract with a record label, failed attempt to buy Buffalo Bills. The title track is about the members of the band, a fist-pumping introduction for every American who is a local-patriot.
Living with the Ghost is an epic Coldplay-like number that could be written by anyone from Nickelback to Pink. New Year’s Day resembles U2 so much that it gets uncomfortable when you hear verses carpe diem seize the day. Nothing can compare to Born Again Tomorrow, as it stands out as the worst track on the album.
Labor of Love is a romantic trash.
Baby say my name
I’ll write yours in the sky
Higher than a rocket on the 4th of July
I mean, come on. But, there is one songs that makes me believe that Bon Jovi is still an icon. The Devil in the Temple is the closest he has ever come to Foo Fighters, and harsh rock vocal shows that the old man still has energy to sing out of the box.
To conclude – this is a generic album that could be recorded by any third-grade rock musician in United States. It’s biggest advantage is that every song is a trademark. Nothing can take Bon Jovi’s status away, not even the series of cheesy and pointless albums.
