Bon Jovi - Crush

The growling, choppy guitar sample that opens the first track here, "It's My Life," is a virtual declaration of intent for the first Bon Jovi album in five years, a statement that they're updating the sound without abandoning the traditional virtues that made them one of the biggest bands on the planet. So make way for a hi-tech parade of smooth-but-gutsy rock anthems, almost any one of which will gladden the heart of every AOR radio programmer in the land. Unless the world has changed irredeemably, cuts like the midpaced heartbreak chugger "Say It Isn't So" are destined to become Bon Jovi standards, while an outbreak of scarf-waving and lighter-flicking is certain to accompany any live performance of the big weepie, "Thank You For Loving Me." Arguably, everything on Crush is done by the numbers, but with consummate pros like Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora at the helm, these are the kind of numbers you have to take seriously, because by the second time they kick into the chorus of any song it's damn near impossible not to sing along. --Johnny Black Amazon.com

Crush Review

I love this group and this CD is great. I saw them in concert in April and it was awesome. June 13, 2008

All downhill from here....

"Crush" marked the beginning of the end for Bon Jovi. The lack of any great solos Richie Sambora is well known for is practically non-existent. The lyrics are so cheesy and I get the feeling that the material was just rushed through, like all the Bon Jovi releases after it. The songs on here completly lack any depth and definitely will not stand the test of time, unlike many of their previous works which have proven very solid. They have absolutely lost their passion for music. Perhaps it's time for them to retire. April 6, 2008

Great album

Its a new decade, but the same old great Bon Jovi. Their style hasn't changed and their music is as fresh and envigorating as always. I pretty much loved every song on this. And they all sound different from each other, but they all still resemble classic Bon Jovi. I love the last song on the cd, 'One Wild Night'. Its catchy and fun, like the rest of the album. February 12, 2008

I love every song on it.

I lost my first copy of this CD and HAD to buy a replacement. I bought it because I liked one song on it, but now like all the songs. Great music and great lyrics. I love how the words tell a story you can relate to. August 24, 2007

Slow Start on Early Tracks becomes a Winner on the Latter Tracks

Bon Jovi's first greatest hits album is entitled "Cross Road". The title is appropriate because by the time of its release in 1994, the group had really reached a true crossroads in their career. Bon Jovi had rode the wave of the hard rock/metal-like influence on the pop music scene in the late 1980s. By the time of 1992's "Keep the Faith", they still were doing what they do best - but now Alternative Music was beginning to dominate the pop scene. Therefore, I think its very appropriate that the group put out "Cross Road" and look back to determine what the next steps should be in their career. Following "Cross Road", Bon Jovi did move into another direction with the release of 1995's "These Days". While not as big a commercial success as what they had gotten used to, Bon Jovi did go into a different direction - delivering a "darker" album as opposed to the uplifting rock and power ballads that had become a trademark of the band. Following "These Days", the new "path" Bon Jovi took would be put on hold. It would be five years before they would release 2000's "Crush". When I first started listening to "Crush", I got very frustrated because I felt the album was weak, however this would be an album that deserved a full listen - because after getting past the first four tracks, I would discover that "Crush" would truly show that Bon Jovi had progressed along the path they took at the "Cross Road". It would show that Bon Jovi had matured and expanded their horizons.

The best way to understand how this album "turns the corner" is to review each track in order:

"It's My Life": This was the album's big hit single. For the most part, it had the traditional Bon Jovi feel. Anthem-like vocals by Jon Bon Jovi combined with heavy guitars by Richie Sambora penetrating keyboards by David Bryan. The song could be considered a loose sequel to "Livin on a Prayer" with the references to Tommy and Gina. This song's ok, but it wasn't a song that captured my imagination.

"Say It Isn't So": This song didn't have the Arena Rock quality that made Bon Jovi famous. This song had way too much of a pop feel to it. I quickly grew disinterested in this song as it also did little to excite me.

"Thank You For Loving Me": This ballad just wasn't the power-ballad that I had heard Bon Jovi do in the past - namely it lacked the passion. Again, I was disinterested. Slowly this album was losing me.

"Two Story Town": While musically this song didn't have me doing handstands, I did like the lyrics on this song. It deals with living in a town with the "same old sights" and "same old sounds".

It is on track 5 that the album really turns the corner....

"Next 100 Years": This is the best song on the album. Everyone shines on this album. While Tico Torres is going to have his moments on drums and Sambora is unbelievable on guitar, there is so much more. Mid-way through the song, it takes on an orchestral quality to it. Also listen for the incredible guitar work toward the end of the song. The song even has that "Arena Rock" anthem-like quality toward the end. I love the way this track switches gears.

"Just Older": Although this song may be slightly "toned down" musically from their earlier stuff, this song demonstrates the true passion that became a trademark. Torres shines on the drums on this one.

"Mystery Train": This song also has a softer feel that Bon Jovi fans are used to, but once again the passion is back. The boys really got the rhythm right on this song. In the "Mystery Train" is actually referring to a woman who is a "ride on a Mystery Train...to a place you've never been before." This is definitely one of the strongest songs on the collection.

"Save the World": This song has a lot of the classic Bon Jovi elements of a power ballad - uplifting lyrics and passionate vocals. The song deals with someone who isn't smart or distinguished, yet is someone who can offer a lot to the world.

"Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars": This song seemed to combine a retro sounding 1950s/1960s sound with some good modern electric guitars. This song has a very different feel from the classic Bon Jovi sound, but I give the boys credit for being able to expand their horizons.

"She's a Mystery": Another song that follows the classic Bon Jovi formula for power ballad. Once again the band compares a woman to a mystery, but instead of comparing the woman to a mysterious train ride, the woman in this case is a mystery herself.

"I Got the Girl": This song follows the classic Bon Jovi hard-rocking formula. The soft start segues into heavy guitars perfectly. It might not have the deepest lyrics, but it fits the classic mold of a true "Arena Rock" sound.

"One Wild Night": While this song also had a hard-rocking sound, I didn't quite like this one as much as "I Got the Girl". The opening sounds music sets the stage to contrast a "wild night" with spending an evening in front of some classic-styled television. While I didn't like this song, I still think this may appeal to the deep Bon Jovi fans. I personally didn't get the "James Brown" references at the end.

I was disappointed that the liner notes did not contain any of the lyrics. Overall, despite the weak start to this album, I was satisfied with the five year wait for "Crush". If songs 5-12 were the songs that would comprise this collection, I would still be happy. The combination of the classic elements with some newer sounds made for this a very good album. I would definitely recommend this collection. February 26, 2007

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