Bon Jovi
The Circle

Campus Correspondent Review By Hunter Embry,
Indiana University Southeast

Bon Jovi’s latest release The Circle (Island) is exactly what one would expect from the late ‘80s pop-metal icons. Just like Slippery When Wet, the production is flawless, the choruses are bombastic and the songs represent a blue collar, working class that the band has appealed to for more than two decades.

The album opener, “We Weren’t Born To Follow,” is a stout-guitared stadium anthem aimed at motivating a recession-struck listening base– much in the same vibe of ‘87s “Livin’ on a Prayer” (only without the hairspray and decadence). However, “Work For The Working Man” is eerily similar to “You Give Love a Bad Name,” just without the Richie Sambora palm muted guitar. The lyrics keep in step with Bruce Springsteen’s grit and Jon Bon Jovi’s vocals are as strong as ever, but the coolness of The Circle is missing.

While Bon Jovi has returned to the sound it does best, the edge just isn’t there. One would be hard pressed to find something wrong with The Circle, but it would be similarly difficult to explain why one should buy this release instead of picking up one of the classics.