Stereoboard's Top Ten Albums For Those Who Miss 'Classic Bon Jovi' (Bon Jovi Feature)
Friday, 22 March 2013
Written by Simon Ramsay
With the release of their latest album New Jersey superstars Bon Jovi have further defected from the raunchy rock & roll bombast of their past. 'What About Now' sails by on a gentle breeze of mature melodies and understated ballads that are light years away from the monolithic choruses and roaring guitar attack of 1980's multi-platinum masterpieces 'Slippery When Wet' and 'New Jersey'. Whilst painfully frustrating for devotees of Bon Jovi's punchy melodic rock stylings, their dedication to the mainstream sounds of the day is hardly surprising. More so than any other band of their ilk, they've backed up an unwavering desire to remain commercially viable with incredibly astute business decisions. In 2013, making anachronistic party rock just won't provide the kind of sustained success Jon Bon Jovi craves. When he described himself as being 'the CEO of a major corporation' in the band's 'When We Were Beautiful' documentary, the motivations for his recent musical choices are all too evident.
That said, is it really fair to criticise him? Following a run of 5 albums that culminated in 1992's 'Keep The Faith', Jon was perspicacious enough to heed the warning signs. The musical landscape was shifting beyond recognition, and with Cobain, Vedder and co leading the charge the 80's 'hair metal' brigade faced certain annihilation. It was time for Bon Jovi to adapt or die. Jon became the band's de facto leader and the guys – or rather his employees – trusted him to steer the ship. Whereas the likes of Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison embraced a darker pseudo grunge sound that reeked of cynical bandwagon jumping, Jon took his troops in the opposite direction. Understanding his brand of music was built on immaculate pop sensibilities, he brought those elements to the fore, semi-abandoning rock and finding security within a broader mainstream demographic. Whilst their late eighties peers struggled to survive, Bon Jovi thrived. The vehicle for such a surprising transformation was 1994's stratospheric power ballad, 'Always'. As rock fans devoured the heavier attack of bands like Nirvana and Metallica, Bon Jovi's old school tearjerker swerved that audience and went straight for the commercial jugular. Aided by Jon's easy on the eye appeal, a new generation of young girls and randy housewives, along with a broad cross section of the music buying public who wouldn't know a rock riff if it battered them over the head, crowned Bon Jovi their new favourite band. 1995's 'These Days saw them graduate to headlining stadiums and they haven't looked back since.
Following 2000's 'Crush', the last decade has seen them continually shaping their increasingly watered down rock sound to the evolving commercial Zeitgeist. Whether playing indie rock anthems or contemporary countrified numbers, Bon Jovi keep moving with the times, showing no sign of returning to the swaggering crunch of their glory days. They still knock out the odd rock number on each album, but it feels like a calculated attempt to keep older fans on board that, judging by internet discussion forums, isn't working. Although some accept and enjoy their recent output, the majority still demand the killer rock vibe that propelled them into the limelight nearly three decades ago. Given Bon Jovi's reasons for abandoning that sound, those fans are only likely to get their wish if 80's soft rock suddenly takes over the mainstream again. In 2013, that's about as likely as George W Bush winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
If that's not music to your Jovi loving ears then never fear, the solution is here! Whilst Jon, Richie and the other two have abandoned their musical roots, plenty of acts are still delivering joyfully uplifting melodic rock & roll with the kind of unabashed verve BJ used to epitomise. With that in mind, Stereoboard is delighted to serve up ten albums that nail the spirit, energy and hedonism of 'Classic Bon Jovi', from 1984's debut through 1992's 'Keep The Faith'. We've younger acts weaned on (and possibly conceived because of) 'Slippery When Wet', as well as a few classics that may have slipped under your radar back in the day. All guaranteed to satisfy anyone missing a time when Jon Bon Jovi saw a million faces and really wanted to rock them all. Each tip comes with two links. One for a rock song, the other for a ballad. Naturally.
GOTTHARD: LIP SERVICE
Often referred to as the European Bon Jovi, this brilliant Swiss outfit craft the kind of music Jon and the boys should still be making, releasing one of the finest melodic rock records of all time in 2005's 'Lip Service'. With foot stamping grooves, huge melodies and inspiring lyrics it delivered on all fronts. 'Lift Me Up' should have been a global smash with it's delightfully bouncy hook, whilst the dark throb of 'Anytime Anywhere' is a mean ass response to anyone who's screwed you over. Need ballads? 'Everything I Want' is Def Leppard saccharine sweet, 'And Then Goodbye' an acoustic slice of heart-on-sleeve loveliness. Singer Steve Lee was the ultimate frontman; a charismatic presence with the kind of compelling widescreen vocal rasp to make JBJ green with envy. Unfortunately, he was tragically killed in 2010. At their best, Gotthard sound like a devastating combination of the best rock bands you've ever heard all rolled into one fantastic package. If they'd been around in the 80's, they'd have been massive.
W.E.T: RISE UP
Unfortunate acronym aside, these guys are a melodic rock supergroup featuring soaring vocals from ex Talisman (that'll be the T) singer Jeff Scott Soto, alongside multi-talented wonder boy Erik Martensson of Eclipse (hence the E) and Work Of Art's Robert Sall (W). In 2009 they released one of the best debut albums for many a year, instantly becoming leading lights of the current scene. Fast forward to 2013 and give a warm welcome to scorching sophmore effort 'Rise Up', a bona fide blitzkrieg of twelve anthems bursting with glorious choruses and full force instrumentation. Although slightly formulaic, when lapel grabbing rockers and beautifully executed ballads are delivered with such unrelenting energy it matters not one jot. This is music that should be devoured by as many people as possible. This is music built for radio. This is music designed for performing in stadiums the world over. If only it was 1986. As such, it's likely to become a cult classic, and for those in the know will definitely be the soundtrack to the summer we probably won't have!
TYKETTO: DON'T COME EASY
With imperious vocals from Danny Vaughan and ten kick ass classic tracks, Tyketto's stunning debut should have been a hit of epic proportions. Except, it was released in 1991. From the moody attack of 'Forever Young' to radiant pop bijou 'Wings', from the sassy swing of 'Strip Me Down' to the stratosphere straddling 'Standing Alone', these guys executed their intentions with bags of class and had musical ability to burn. 'Don't Come Easy' also debunks the notion that melodic rock was a spent force by the 90's and needed to be culled by Grunge. They've released albums since, but have never topped an opening tour de force that was unlucky to land just as the melodic rockalypse was about to strike.
H.E.A.T: ADDRESS THE NATION
After two albums of shamelessly 80's retro rock, the end seemed nigh for these Scandinavian upstarts when lead singer Kenny Leckremo left the band. Fears grew when former Swedish idol winner Erik Gronwall was named as his replacement. Then their third record hit with the force of a plutonium laced wrecking ball. Erik's monstrous vocals not only improved the band, but elevated their song writing on an all killer no filler album, with gigantic production values and skyscraping anthems aplenty. The lyrics are as cheesy as you'd expect from this kind of music, and the guys roll out every melodic rock cliché in the book. But it's all done with so much confidence and panache that resistance is futile! 'Breaking The Silence' and 'Heartbreaker' are unsurprisingly Jovi-esque from a band who grew up worshipping 'Slippery When Wet'. Just listen to the first clip to see how Bon Jovi would sound if they still had balls!
PAUL LAINE: STICK IT IN YOUR EAR
Of all the albums on this list, none sound closer to 'Classic Bon Jovi' than this cracking debut. A one man musical marvel playing guitars, keyboards and piano, Paul Laine's vocal style is eerily similar to JBJ's. Combine that with stellar production from Bruce Fairbairn, who gave 'Slippery When Wet' and 'New Jersey' their super shiny gloss, and it's no wonder Classic Rock scribe Dave Reynolds dubbed 'Stick It In Your Ear' “the best record Bon Jovi never made''. The opening attack of 'One Step Over The Line' couldn't be more 'Lay Your Hands On Me' if it tried, and when Laine sings “it was me and Danny we were brothers until the end' during 'My Hometown', and peppers boisterous 'woah-oh's' throughout the album, it's all very familiar. In spite of such comparisons, 'Stick It In Your Ear' is a stomp kicking effort that deserves to be heard. With chain gang rock & roller 'Doin' Time', the airwave friendly 'Dorianna' and thunderous ballad 'Is It Love', this is perfect for anyone who desperately needs a fix of 'Vintage Jovi'.
WHITE WIDDOW: SERENADE
These precocious Aussies ply super slick keyboard dominated AOR in the style of classic Giuffria, with more than a nod to Bon Jovi's 1984 debut album. The songs on 2011's 'Serenade' have such a classic eighties feel you could almost imagine 'Strangers In The Night', 'Patiently' and drive time classic 'Reckless Nights' soundtracking a coming of age Brat Pack movie starring Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald. Although super smooth with layers of polish, 'Serenade' also boasts fantastic fretwork from young axe slinger Enzo Almanzi, who channels the spirit of early Sambora with his incisive riffing and fretboard melting solos
TALISMAN: S/T DEBUT
Before fronting W.E.T, Journey and launching a successful solo career, former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Jeff Scott Soto made his mark with this exceptional Scandinavian outfit. Formed by bassist Marcel Jacob, the band released a string of superb albums built around swirling guitar riffs that were heavy and funky in equal measure, capped off by Jeff's outstanding delivery of a flame throwing chorus. Whilst their output grew more varied, on 1990's debut they nailed the sound of the day. The ferociously tuneful 'Break Your Chains', the edgy menace of 'Dangerous' and the fret burning 'Women, Whiskey and Song' are jam packed with heart stopping guitar work, superlative vocals and enough hooks to have you happily singing along for years to come.
NIGHT RANGER: SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA
Contemporaries of Bon Jovi throughout the 1980's, these San Franciscan hard rockers unleashed one of 2011's best albums with 'Somewhere in California'. It's a rip roaring concoction of grand spanking choruses, blistering twin guitar harmonies, crunching riffs and winning melody after winning melody. Timeless jewels like 'Growing Up In California', 'Follow Your Heart' and 'Lay It On Me' are tailor made for baking hot summer days beneath a sunny skyline, cocktail in hand and luscious ladies in sight! As per the formula two links are included below, and it could have been any two tracks off the album as the quality doesn't drop for a single second. More proof that rock bands don't need to dial down the volume and settle for MOR mediocrity as they get older.
FIREHOUSE: HOLD YOUR FIRE
Regardless of prevailing trends and their ridiculous name, this gang's self titled debut landed in 1990 and burned very brightly indeed, selling 2 million copies in the USA alone. Although not as successful, 1992's 'Hold Your Fire' is a more consistent offering, toughening up the Firehouse sound on a spunky cavalcade of full blooded sing-along anthems. 'Reach For The Sky' channelled Bon Jovi's outlaw spirit, whilst 'Talk Of The Town', 'Rock You Tonight' and 'Mama Didn't Raise No Fool' melded Aersomith's swaggering raunch & roll with full fat harmonies reminiscent of prime time Jovi and Def Leppard. Not forgetting 'When I look into Your Eyes', a glorious ballad that's as romantic as it gets.
NELSON: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
Siblings Gunnar and Rick Nelson released one of the genres most lauded débuts in 1990's 'After The Rain', full of fluffed up candy coated hooks and lashings of juicy cheese. However, we're recommending 2010's 'Lightning Strikes Twice' instead. Similar to Bon Jovi's pop with guitars template, it's big contemporary production values show how a band can maintain their classic sound whilst continuing to make music that's fresh and exciting. It's an album that's soaked to the bone with heart healing melodies, smile inducing choruses and lighter waving love songs.
Bon Jovi's latest album, 'What About Now', is available now. Check out Stereoboard's review here. Bon Jovi return to to the UK for a stadium tour this summer.
Sat June 8th 2013 - Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Sun June 9th 2013 - Villa Park, Birmingham
Wed June 12th 2013 - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Thu June 13th 2013 - Stadium Of Light, Sunderland
Sat June 15th 2013 - Slane Castle, Slane
Wed July 3rd 2013 - Hampden Park National Stadium, Glasgow
Fri July 5th 2013 - Hyde Park, London
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That said, is it really fair to criticise him? Following a run of 5 albums that culminated in 1992's 'Keep The Faith', Jon was perspicacious enough to heed the warning signs. The musical landscape was shifting beyond recognition, and with Cobain, Vedder and co leading the charge the 80's 'hair metal' brigade faced certain annihilation. It was time for Bon Jovi to adapt or die. Jon became the band's de facto leader and the guys – or rather his employees – trusted him to steer the ship. Whereas the likes of Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison embraced a darker pseudo grunge sound that reeked of cynical bandwagon jumping, Jon took his troops in the opposite direction. Understanding his brand of music was built on immaculate pop sensibilities, he brought those elements to the fore, semi-abandoning rock and finding security within a broader mainstream demographic. Whilst their late eighties peers struggled to survive, Bon Jovi thrived. The vehicle for such a surprising transformation was 1994's stratospheric power ballad, 'Always'. As rock fans devoured the heavier attack of bands like Nirvana and Metallica, Bon Jovi's old school tearjerker swerved that audience and went straight for the commercial jugular. Aided by Jon's easy on the eye appeal, a new generation of young girls and randy housewives, along with a broad cross section of the music buying public who wouldn't know a rock riff if it battered them over the head, crowned Bon Jovi their new favourite band. 1995's 'These Days saw them graduate to headlining stadiums and they haven't looked back since.
