New Bon Jovi ‘Forever’ album taps into band’s legacy, looks towards the future:
Bon Jovi, unabashedly sentimental, earnest and still full of rocking riffs, is back.
“Forever,” released on June 7, comes amid much drama from frontman Jon Bon Jovi. The Sayreville native is battling vocal issues, as depicted in Hulu’s “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.” He had surgery two years ago on his vocal cords to correct problems that go back a decade.
The arena-rock ready “Forever” is partly about maturity, the passage of time, and a singer in a rock ’n’ roll band who is having trouble singing.
“My voice don’t want to sing,” sings Bon Jovi on “I Wrote You a Song,” a piano ballad on the album.
Yet on “Forever,” Bon Jovi’s voice is full of depth, with a warm rasp and emotive dimension. Granted, Bon Jovi’s singing has never been at the Ronnie James Dio level, so we’re not missing any vocal gymnastics that were never there.
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The performance, like the rocker’s image, is agreeably workmanlike, and Bon Jovi is all about working for a living. Just ask Tommy and Gina.
A crunchy rocker, “Living Proof,” is a highlight, with a big driving beat from drummer Tico Torres, and guitar talk box from guitarist Phil X. He’s Riche Sambora’s replacement and, no, a Sambora and Bon Jovi reunion does not appear to be happening despite the mixed messages from the Hulu documentary and subsequent press articles.
In addition to Bon Jovi, Torres and Phil X, the band these days is David Bryan, keyboards; Hugh McDonald, bass; John Shanks, guitar; and Everett Bradley, vocals and percussion.
Bon Jovi and Shanks are the songwriting and production core. Longtime collaborator Billy Falcon has several songwriting credits on “Forever,” and there are a few writing surprises, including Jason Isbell, Billy Tedder of OneRepublic, and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote “Living in Paradise,” a sweeping ballad.
It’s also a 40th anniversary moment for a bit of boasting on “We Made It Look Easy.” Bon Jovi takes it back to the band’s roots at the former Fast Lane in Asbury Park.
“Been a hell of a ridе, Jersey Shore covеr bands, couple friends in the stands on a Saturday night,” sings Bon Jovi. “We made it look easy.”
Included on the celebratory and introspective notes of “Forever,” there is a message addressed to those beyond the recording studio and concert stages. “The People’s House” calls for a broader national unity over a smoldering funky rhythmic foundation.
“Come in and leave your mind open,” Bon Jovi sings. “It’s time we let love in.”
The future of the country — and Bon Jovi — is unwritten.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected].
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