Bouncing back! (Bounce - Bon Jovi)

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	Bounce - Bon Jovi
Date:	21/09/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tracks

Disadvantages: None

With a career spanning 25 years, Bon Jovi are still going strong, and are one of my favourite bands.

Their eighth studio album, 'Bounce' was released in 2002, heavily influenced by the September 11th attacks of the year previously. Both Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora with their New Jersey roots, and of course Jon residing in New York to this day, had an influence on the feel of the album.
Bounce was also produced by Jon and Richie along with Luke Ebbin.

After the success of the previous album, 'Crush', the band came up with another album containing twelve tracks, which saw the band doing what they do best : combining rock anthems with a catchy chorus, and emotive ballads.

The Band :-

Jon Bon Jovi - vocals and guitar
Richie Sambora - guitar and backing vocals
Tico Torres - drums and percussion
David Bryan - keyboards and backing vocals
Hugh McDonald - bass and backing vocals

The tracks :-

1. UNDIVIDED - A rousing opening track reflecting the events of 9/11, and a tribute to all those who suffered and lost family and friends. A very strong track both musically and lyrically, which begins with a strong statement and tells of courage to rise back up and stand united.
" That was my brother lost in the rubble
That was my sister lost in the crush
That was our mothers, that was our children
That was our fathers, that was each of us"

2. EVERYDAY - Continuing on from the previous track, the message continues with this track about defiance. Time is the most precious thing you have, so you should try to live every moment to the fullest. This was released as a single and reached No. 5 in the UK chart. This is another rousing track with a strong chorus as Jon puts his message across :-
"I've had enough of crying, bleeding, sweating, dying
Hear me when I say, I'm gonna live my life everyday"

3. THE DISTANCE - the album slows down a little here with this track, but it does still feature strong guitar and bassline. The verses are quite soft, but it picks up with a heavier chorus.
" I'll never give up the fight, I'll go the distance"

4. JOEY - A catchy ballad telling the story of 'Joey' who couldn't read or write and earned his nickname 'Joey Keys' from picking locks. It tells of life and dreams and features some classic piano from David Bryan. This track really grew on me from first hearing it.
" You got to stand and fight, it'll be alright, we're gonna find a better life"

5. MISUNDERSTOOD - Another single release, and the album picks up tempo again here with this very catchy rock track, which tells of making mistakes, being misunderstood and wishing you could go back and do it differently. There was a great video which accompanied this track featuring classic mistakes someone can make, especially in a relationship, but appealing that they are just 'Misunderstood'.
"Should I? Could I? Have said the wrong things right a thousand times
If I could just rewind, I see it in my mind..."

6. ALL ABOUT LOVIN' YOU - A slow ballad, which was another single release, reaching No.9 in the UK chart. A great track with an emotive lyric and vocal from Jon.
" You can take this world away, you're everything I am
Just read the lines upon my face, I'm all about lovin you"

7. HOOK ME UP - Probably the heaviest track on the album, and featuring some excellent trademark guitar riffs from Richie. This fast-paced track builds from the start, and had everyone jumping up and down when played live on the Bounce tour in 2003.
"Hook me up, I'm reaching out for you - Come on!"

8. RIGHT SIDE OF WRONG - Another slower track, which reminds you of the band's previous 'wild west' songs, with it's references to being "Just like Butch and Sundance, we'll ride until the dawn, sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs on the right side of wrong"

9. LOVE ME BACK TO LIFE - This is a rock track which then mellows but still retains it's rock feel, and has a great guitar solo from Richie.
"This world don't give you nothing it can't take away
Everybody holding on to something, nobody wants to fade"

10. YOU HAD ME FROM HELLO - A slow romantic ballad, which is very moving and has beautiful lyrics.
What more can I say? I love it!
"The first time I saw you, it felt like coming home
If I never told you I just want you to know
You had me from hello..."

11. BOUNCE - A very catchy up tempo track which could also have been a strong opening track. It is dedicated to NFL Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, who is a close friend of Jon and the band. Many also feel the song tells of the nations rebound following 9/11. Drummer Tico Torres said to make 'Bounce' have your own meaning.
" Bounce, bounce, nothing's gonna keep me down..."

12. OPEN ALL NIGHT - The final track slows the album down to finish with this song written in response to how Jon felt about the end of his character 'Victor' in the TV show 'Ally McBeal'. The song expresses the way he wishes his character had ended.
Another good track with an emotive vocal.
"I don't want to make the same mistake but it's too late
I'll leave on the light
These arms are open all night"

All the tracks on Bounce hold up well and none of the tracks could be regarded as weak in my opinion, but then I am a big fan!
However, if you like the band and their hits, but have never bought any of their studio albums then I am sure you would enjoy this, as it is classic Bon Jovi, packed with rock tracks with a catchy sing-along chorus and slow meaningful ballads.

I saw Bon Jovi on tour promoting this album at Ibrox, Glasgow in 2003, and played live the tracks were even better! Pounding drums and Richie's amazing guitar along with Jon's energetic performance and strong vocals saw the crowd jumping up and down, singing along to Bounce, Everyday, Hook Me Up, and Misunderstood.

Overall I think this is a great Bon Jovi album, and whilst it is not my favourite Bon Jovi album, it still gets five out of five stars from me as I like every track.

Summary: Another great Bon Jovi album.