Search - Bon Jovi :: The Circle

If you've heard crush there's not much different

S. Gage | Claremont, CA USA | 11/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, let me get something off my chest about the album...



I looked at ticket prices last night for his new album tour to the Honda Center and Staples Center. Nose bleed ticket prices were $150 and $120 respectively a couple days ago. So Jon, when you and Richie write songs like "Work For The Working Man" and you sing about dreams, hopes, and essentially the hard honest work many people do how is it you charge so much for seats so far away? That's saying nothing of the seats closer. I've loved your music since I found a cassette tape (7800 Fahrenheit) at camp when I was a kid. I've never been able to see you and before you start to decline vocally which is inevitable I'd like to see you at least once.



Ok, now about the album...



There are good songs on this album but there will be nothing that really jumps out at you. Work For The Working Man to me, took as close of a step back to the 80s with Jon's old bluesy rock songs. He does prove he has vocal strength in a number of the songs but the songs are certainly softer than the 80s. That being said, it's not the 80s anymore folks and Jon isn't 20-something anymore.



"We Weren't Born To Follow" is an upbeat song that I like because it really raises your spirits. In our current time, there's a lot to balk about in the news and politics. While Jon certainly sings about how things are now he does inject something upbeat and positive into the album with this song.



I'm not really certain I can classify "Superman Tonight" as a ballad but for anyone that's been in love it's a song we can all identify with. It most certainly is a song that after one day of owning the album I find myself singing along to.



"Bullet" is a grittier sounding song. Again, a bluesy sound permeates this song from time to time. Perhaps it's a bit country inspired Kid Rock-ish in spots but I still enjoy listening to it.



"Thorn In My Side" is a bit generic while being higher tempo. It hasn't really grown on me yet but perhaps it will the longer I listen to it.



"Live Before You Die" is a quieter song. It's a song that really makes you think about how eventually " there'll come a day you'll have to say hello to goodbye". So...the message is don't take tomorrow's sunrise for granted and make sure to live as full of a life as possible. I like the song because it's how I live my life as best as possible. I may only be 31 but I have my bucket list...the things I want to do and accomplish before times runs out. I wouldn't say this song is for everyone though.



"Brokenpromiseland" is a pretty cool song for me. It's definitely a song that has a bluesy twang to it but ya know what? I'm kinda digging the bluesy twang in Bon Jovi. I never listened to his last album (the country one) but I don't mind what he's being doing since Crush.



I'm still listening to the album trying to allow the other songs time to grow on me. The ones I've written about are ones that I have a solid opinion about and for the most part, enjoy. Don't expect a huge rock album out of this. It's nothing even comparable to his 80s and early 90s music. If you liked Crush then you will enjoy The Circle, simply put."

Disappointed

Robin M. Hodge | Franklin, Tennessee United States | 11/14/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have every album that Bon Jovi ever made and I always get them the day that they come out as I keep up with their music. This is not their best work at all. It is kind of a downer. I work and go to school and don't need to hear music about working or how hard things are, I live it. Also, "We weren't born to follow" is really the only good song on it. I hate to say that but this is just not good. I have seen them twice live and the best albums were Slippery When Wet and New Jersey. Bounce and Have a Nice Day were awesome recent works then downhill from there."

Bon Jovi's music is now officially cringe worthy

Marcus T. Brody | Tampa Bay, FL | 11/25/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Every time I hear Bon Jovi is releasing another new album, I cringe, yet I always end up downloading it, giving it a shot. As is the case with their previous 3 albums or so, this is absolutely dreadful, almost tarnishing the Bon Jovi name. They honestly should have given up recording new music 10 years ago, just like Poison did. If they want to tour the country, I'm all for it. Play the favorites, and keep it at that. But no, they insist on recording new music, and each album just continues to get worse and worse.



I grew up with Bon Jovi. I was born in the 70's, so in their prime in the 80's, Bon Jovi was one of the best in the biz. They even continued their greatness into the mid 90's, with the Keep the Faith album, which was excellent. Everything they've done in the 2000's has been forgettable, and their last 2 albums especially, have been downright awful."