Bon Jovi - Lost Highway

Good but not great album--and yes it is a little bit country

I was originally a huge fan of the 1980s Bon Jovi sound, so much that when the musically brilliant "Keep The Faith" came out in 1992, I was a bit disappointed that it didn't rock enough even though I played and knew that album inside and out. After that, Bon Jovi kind of dropped off the radar for me until their true comeback single "It's My Life" in 2000. That album, "Crush", and its follow up, "Bounce", certainly had their moments, but to me some of the tracks on each were lacking something. Then came 2005's "Have A Nice Day", which to me was Bon Jovi's most satisfying release since at least "Keep The Faith" and maybe even "New Jersey". Unlike many others, I completely embraced the sound and overall direction of that album. I mention this to point out that I am not stuck only on Bon Jovi's '80s sound.

All that being said, this "Lost Highway" release is a slight step back for me after "Have A Nice Day". For sure, it is interesting to hear Bon Jovi mix more country elements into their music than ever before. As usual, the playing and musicianship on the album are top notch. Songs like the opening title track, the very catchy "Summertime", and the anthemic "Any Other Day" are all excellent tracks on the album. However, the overall pace drags a bit in other spots. While I appreciate the sentiment of "(You Want To) Make a Memory", it is just too dreary of a pace for a first single not to mention Bon Jovi sappy sentiment that we have heard so many times before. Same holds true for "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore" with Leann Rhymes. Good track but not quite what I want to hear from Bon Jovi.

For sure, I like this album, but I don't LOVE it like other releases from the past two years from some of my favorite all-time artists. Hopefully, Bon Jovi will go back in a more rock direction with their next release. They'll never go back to their '80s sound, which is fine; but they just need more consistently catchy and uptempo releases than this one is. September 8, 2008

My first Bon Jovi album!

This is my first Bon Jovi album that I bought. I've always been a fan of the band ever since I first heard "Livin On A Prayer" when I was really young. I liked their sound and even though it's changed a bit since their hits in the 80's it's still a welcome return from one of my favorite bands. Some have called this album "Bon Jovi goes country." While not entirely true, there is some country aspects to this album such as the duet with LeAnn Rimes and a collaboration with Big And Rich. My favorite song is the single "(You Want To) Make A Memory." It was one of my favorite singles of 2007! Bon Jovi had a lot to prove with this album and I would definately reccomend it to Bon Jovi fans old and new. I look forward to buying more music from this band! September 5, 2008

Not Bad!

The album is not bad. I was expecting the same music that was on his cable concert and that is not what was on the album. So including the diapointment that the main song I wanted was not on it I have to say that the album was just "OK". June 28, 2008

Artistic Statement (?)

For 25 years Bon Jovi has been keeping the Jersey Shore Sound alive, but unless Southside and others (most famously The Boss) they have always been combining it. This time the choice fell on country. Yes, it's not a joke, it's country... although using a banjo in the background or just having "Big & Rich" sing with you doesn't necessarily constitute Country... or Western for that matter.

And let's be frank, Jon can give a thousand more interviews telling everybody who doesn't want to hear it that evolving into country is just an artistic statement, this record has foremost paid off econonomically for the band. It was just a given that any country-pop-rock-combination would work in small-town America, the first Billboard #1 debut since "New Jersey" is just proof of that.

But let's stick with Jon's argument: Let's assume that this album is just an artistic statement, just about the beauty of writing songs, and not about selling tickets or anything. If the art tells us anything about the artist, then the question is obvious: Is this new direction a sign for a creative burnout? Or is this album to the band what a haircut is to an abandoned woman?*) Or, to concentrate on other members of the band, to a failed acting career?

Disregarding that, there is just one bottom line: If you buy Bon Jovi, you get Bon Jovi, no matter what. You get the Jersey Shore, the Pop, the Rock, the Captain Kidd, the King of Swing, the Tommy, the Gina, the Country (attempt), the Live Experience... the uncomparable... just the good ole Bon Jovi. They've given us the soundtrack to all of our Twentysomethings' lives.

Keep the faith these days-ly,
Team Heaton

*) By the way: Alcohol is not the answer, even if you just broke your shoulder. May 30, 2008

Another great Bon Jovi album

I got this as soon as it came out. Another great album from the guys in NJ. It certainly has a much more country sound than any of their earlier work, but that's not a bad thing. A slightly different flavor, but still distinctly Bon Jovi. Didn't like it quite as much as Have a Nice Day, but it's still a great album. May 30, 2008

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