Much like Tommy, the down on his luck hero from ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, New Jersey veterans Bon Jovi possess an unquenchable optimism. Despite tumbling in and out of fashion a bunch of times and losing longstanding members (notably guitarist Richie Sambora) they, just like that plucky dock worker, continue to stand defiant, detractors be damned.
Thirteenth album This House Is Not For Sale sees Jon Bon Jovi and his crew craft a collection of songs that aim to put their troubles behind them for good, and they’re both hopeful (‘Roller Coaster’) and haunted by familiar ghosts (‘Scars On The Guitar’). They take doff the hat towards fellow stadium rockers The Killers (‘Knockout’) and Kings Of Leon’s (‘New Year’s Day’) songbook. Their singer, in particular, is in bullish form after his well-publicised battle with self doubt.
New(ish) guitarist Phil X does an admirable job filling some very big shoes and in the Tom Petty-esque title track, Bon Jovi have their first bona fide anthem since the ‘90s. While the cheesy likes of ‘Real Love’ won’t rival anything from the classic Slippery When Wet days, album number 13 sees the rockers in rude health. Good on ‘em.