Bon Jovi – ‘Forever’ (2024) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)
Published on September 16, 2024, by 2 Loud 2 Old Music
We now turn our attention to Bon Jovi’s latest offering, ‘Forever.’ This marks the band’s 16th studio album, officially released on June 7, 2024. There was uncertainty surrounding its release, primarily due to Jon Bon Jovi facing significant vocal challenges that necessitated surgery. Jon underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022, an ordeal that was publicly scrutinized. The documentary, ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,’ sheds light on Jon’s struggles, making it remarkable that he continues to perform. However, fans are left wondering if we’ll see the band hit the stage live again. I remain hopeful for a comeback, but if not, their journey has certainly been memorable.
‘Forever’ debuted impressively, claiming the #5 spot on the Billboard charts during its first week before quickly vanishing from view. This rapid decline stands as the briefest tenure of any Bon Jovi album on the charts, a phenomenon that perplexes me. Critics hailed the album as a strong effort, so what caused such a steep drop? Has the wider audience forsaken Bon Jovi aside from the loyal fans who rushed to purchase it initially? The answer remains uncertain. Despite these uncertainties, I’m convinced that much of the critique is unjustified, and I’ll explain why shortly.
This album features a somewhat altered lineup. The classic trio – Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, and Tico Torres – remains intact, along with veteran guitarist Phil X and long-standing bassist Hugh McDonald. Intriguingly, John Shanks, the band’s longtime producer known for his hands-on approach, has become a full-fledged member this time around. Adding to the mix is Everett Bradley, contributing background vocals and percussion. This strategic choice appears aimed at supporting Jon with vocal dynamics, a smart move. If Richie Sambora were still part of the lineup, such assistance may not have been necessary.
Before delving into the music itself, let me highlight my purchases related to this album. I acquired the CD, vinyl, and even a sealed cassette. My CD came with a signed card from Jon, which is a nice touch, while the vinyl boasts an eye-catching Amazon exclusive design featuring half black and half transparent coloring. As for the cassette, it remains unopened for now – not sure if I’ll ever break that seal. The only item left on my list is the Japanese CD edition, which is tempting, though I’m hesitant to buy the album again for a single bonus track, but hey, I’ve made worse decisions.
Kicking off the album is “Legendary,” also the lead single. This song serves as a heartfelt tribute to Jon’s wife while also indulging in a nostalgic reflection on the band’s history with a forward-looking perspective. It’s an uplifting anthem, albeit with a slower tempo compared to some of the band’s past hits. The chorus is undeniably catchy, and the lyrics evoke a sense of familiarity by referencing iconic songs like Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” It’s an excellent way for Bon Jovi to announce their continued presence in the music scene.
Following that is “We Made It Look Easy,” which evokes even more nostalgia, as Jon reflects on his youth and everything he’s achieved. With its soaring chorus and impressive storytelling, this track delivers the kind of poignant narratives that I feel have been somewhat lacking in recent years. Jon’s vocals sound stronger here, and the track, while more soft-rock than heavy, captures a joyful reminiscence. Interestingly, Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic co-wrote this song, showcasing his impressive talent.
“Living Proof” brings back the talk box, an element we haven’t encountered in over a decade. While it’s nice to see it return, it lacks the flair of Richie’s earlier usage. Nonetheless, this upbeat track maintains a lively beat and a feel-good vibe. Unlike ‘2020,’ where Jon’s approach leaned more towards spoken vocals, here he’s singing, and it’s a relief to hear him in better form.
The song “Waves” features input from Jason Isbell, whose influence isn’t hard to detect. While it leans towards a slower feel, the chorus injects energy, offering an adult-oriented rock vibe that I find quite engaging. Notably, it even includes a decent guitar solo, which is a pleasant surprise.
Next, we encounter “Seeds,” another collaboration with Ryan Tedder and several other contributors. It’s slightly more upbeat than “Waves,” driven by Tico’s muted but steady drumming—a point of contention for me since I expect much more from him, especially given his capabilities. Despite this production flaw, the song is quite enjoyable and continues to uphold the album’s quality.
Sadly, we hit a low with “Kiss the Bride.” This song, penned for Jon’s daughter’s wedding, feels overly sweet and saccharine, which detracts from its intended emotional resonance. It strikes me as the kind of ballad that evokes tears but not for the right reasons.
However, redemption comes with “The People’s House.” This track channels a “Keep the Faith” bass line, infusing the album with a much-needed burst of energy. Jon solely wrote this one, and I admire his ability to craft a strong song independently. It stands out as one of the album’s highlights, refreshing the second half of the collection.
The momentum shifts once again with “Walls of Jericho,” which opens with lackluster gang vocals and clichéd lyrics accompanied by a country guitar twang. This track was a struggle for me; it feels painfully uninspired.
“I Wrote You A Song” follows, featuring more piano from David. Once again, I find myself lamenting Bon Jovi’s struggle with ballads. Though I wished to be surprised, this song does little to evoke genuine emotion, leading listeners to want to skip ahead.
Then comes an unexpected collaboration: Jon pairs up with Ed Sheeran, leading to the track “Living in Paradise.” This playful and catchy number might not be the strongest contender on the album, but its memorable chorus certainly shows the potential of a partnership between such disparate artists. Perhaps a full album with Ed could be in the works?
One of my favorites on this album is “My First Guitar.” Jon shares an intimate story about reclaiming his long-lost guitar from 45 years prior. This heartfelt love song, while seemingly simple, resonates deeply. The chorus, declaring love for his first guitar and even mentioning the joy of playing old Kiss records, showcases Jon at his best as a solo writer.
Conversely, “Hollow Man” closes the album on a disappointing note. It suffers from a lack of depth and feels flat, lacking heart and soul. This slow, acoustic track does not live up to the legacy one might expect from Bon Jovi.
Now, let’s summarize the tracklist for clarity:
– Legendary – Keeper
– We Made It Look Easy – Keeper
– Living Proof – Keeper
– Waves – Keeper
– Seeds – Keeper
– Kiss the Bride – Delete
– The People’s House – Keeper
– Walls of Jericho – Delete
– I Wrote You A Song – Delete
– Living in Paradise – Keeper
– My First Guitar – Keeper
– Hollow Man – Delete
In total, that leads to 8 out of 12 tracks being worth keeping, equating to 75%.
In conclusion, while ‘Forever’ is not a masterpiece, it’s a solid album that improves upon its predecessor. Production issues, particularly concerning Tico’s drumming, are disappointing, yet there’s enough worth listening to throughout the album. Jon’s storytelling seems rejuvenated, and I appreciate the nostalgic undertones present in many tracks. While Jon’s vocals may not return to their former glory, they have certainly improved since ‘2020,’ and I’m genuinely pleased for his recovery.
Overall, I rate this album a rather respectable 3.0 out of 5.0 stars. It represents a noteworthy improvement over previous efforts and, with any luck, may not be the last we hear from this legendary band.
NEXT UP: BON JOVI – THE ALBUMS RANKED WORST TO FIRST
The Bon Jovi Collection Series:
– Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set (2017)
– Jon Bongiovi – The Power Station Sessions (1980-1983) (2001)
– Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi (1984)
– Bon Jovi – Shot Through the Heart: Live in Cleveland, OH March 17, 1984 FM Broadcast (Bootleg)
– Bon Jovi – “Burning For Love” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1984)
– Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
– Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
– Bon Jovi – “Borderline” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1986)
– Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
– Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
– Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
– Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1990)
– Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1990)
– Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
– Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
– Bon Jovi – “Keep the Faith” – CD Maxi Single (1992)
– Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single
