|
Admittedly, when I first heard that Bon Jovi, the seminal New Jersey rockers
that managed to rise above the hair spray of the ‘80s and display lasting legs
well in the new millennia, was releasing a retrospective box set, I was a little
skeptical. What would the content be? How much music did these guys have stored
up? The cover with boys in gold suits is a little too Vegas, and, I mean, c’mon,
100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong? That’s a horrible title…until
you start to appreciate what that number represents. Not only have Jon, Richie
and the boys sold gazillions of albums, had hit songs in three decades, and
toured all over the world, but they continue to write great songs. Jon Bon Jovi
is a great songwriter, and 100,000,000 is a testament to his commitment
to the craft.
Gems are found through out the collection. The single-ready “The Radio Saved My
Life Tonight” features a huge chorus, tasty harmonies and crunchy, power rock
guitar licks that have become the hallmark of Bon Jovi songs for decades. “Why
Aren’t You Dead” is a fun, Beatle-esque romp through heartbreak in which Jon
sings, “You said you couldn’t live without me, so why aren’t you dead? Instead
of 6 feet under, you’re in someone else’s bed.” “Edge of a Broken Heart” is a
power rocker that sounds like it could have been the lead track at the Moscow
Peace Festival. The band makes a few missteps here and there, including trying a
bit too hard on the Springsteen-ish “Open All Night,” and “Love Ain’t Nothing
But A Four Letter Word,” which, with it’s Detroit-inspired horn section, sounds
a bit too “Southside Johnny” for my taste, but those are still two decent songs.
Look, I’m a power rock fan. If you aren’t a fan of Bon Jovi’s style, you won’t
like this, but if you like the band, or have been a fan of this style of rock,
then pick up the box. All in all, 100,000,000 is a strong offering that
should be under the tree of any Bon Jovi fan; and a box set from these guys
would make great company for long road trips, or just short trips down memory
lane.
~Joe Del Re
jdelre@bullz-eye.com
|
 |
|
