Bon Jovi – ‘Forever’ (2024) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series) – 2 Loud 2 Old Music
Published on September 16, 2024, by 2loud2oldmusic
The latest installment in Bon Jovi’s storied discography, titled ‘Forever’, marks the band’s 16th studio effort, released on June 7, 2024. There were doubts surrounding this album, especially considering Jon Bon Jovi’s well-documented vocal struggles that led to surgery back in 2022. His journey through vocal rehabilitation, highlighted in the documentary ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story’, showcased the significant challenges he faced. It’s a miracle he can still perform, but the looming question remains: Will Bon Jovi ever tour again? I truly hope the answer is yes, as their music is a nostalgic soundtrack to many lives.
Upon its release, ‘Forever’ debuted impressively at number five on the Billboard chart, only to vanish shortly thereafter, recording the briefest presence on the chart of any Bon Jovi album. The sudden decline is bewildering, especially given the positive buzz circulating prior to its release. Have the casual fans moved on, leaving only the diehards? Only time will tell. However, I believe the album deserves more appreciation than it has received thus far.
In this latest album, Bon Jovi features a slightly revamped lineup. Jon, David Bryan, and Tico Torres remain from the original trio. Joining them are Phil X and longtime bassist Hugh McDonald. Interestingly, producer John Shanks, who has been criticized in the past, seems to have secured a more permanent role in the band. Adding Everett Bradley for background vocals and percussion was a wise decision to support Jon vocally. If Richie were still around, this extra help may not have been necessary.
Now, turning our focus to the music at hand, I went all out for this release, acquiring the CD, vinyl, and even a cassette version. The CD came with a signed card from Jon, while the exclusive vinyl boasts a striking half-black, half-transparent design. As for the cassette, it remains unopened—perhaps I’ll keep it sealed for now. The only item missing from my collection is the Japanese CD edition, featuring an additional track. Given my record of splurging on music, I might just cave in.
Kicking off the album is “Legendary,” the lead single that serves as both a tribute to Jon’s wife and a reflective glance at the band’s history and future. This track, a staple for Bon Jovi’s opening songs, carries a nostalgic yet uplifting tone, albeit at a slower tempo. The chorus is undeniably catchy, peppered with references to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl,” which adds familiarity and warmth, proclaiming that Bon Jovi is very much alive.
Following is “We Made It Look Easy,” another nostalgic piece where Jon fondly revisits his youth and achievements. This song is softer but features a powerful chorus and captivating storytelling—something that has been somewhat lacking in recent years. It’s refreshing to hear Jon’s strong vocals here after his recovery.
Then we transition to “Living Proof,” which brings back the talk box—an exciting nostalgic touch not seen in over a decade. Though its execution doesn’t quite measure up to Richie’s classic style, it maintains a lively beat and positive vibe. Unlike previous releases like ‘2020’, where Jon barely sang, here he is back to a strong vocal performance.
The slower “Waves” showcases the influence of outside writers, particularly Jason Isbell. Its structure alternates between quiet verses and a more exuberant chorus, fitting well within the AOR genre. It also features an unexpected guitar solo that pleasantly surprises the listener.
Next is “Seeds,” another collaboration with Ryan Tedder, offering a similar feeling to “Waves” while being slightly more upbeat. Here, Tico’s drumming drives the rhythm, though I find it disappointing that his hits seem muffled throughout the record—something I hope changes in future productions. Regardless, this track is still enjoyable.
However, “Kiss the Bride,” penned for Jon’s daughter’s wedding, leans too much into sentimentality, resulting in a sugary sweetness that detracts from its intended affection. This song exemplifies something I’ve noticed: Bon Jovi’s ballads seem to be missing the emotional punch they once had.
Fortunately, “The People’s House” delivers a refreshing change. Its bass line echoes the energy of “Keep the Faith,” providing an upbeat moment in the record. Written solely by Jon, this stands out as one of the album’s stronger tracks. It highlights his ability to craft a great song independently, suggesting he may benefit from doing this more frequently.
Regrettably, the good vibes don’t last long. The subsequent track “Walls of Jericho” is a letdown with its cheesy gang vocals and lackluster instrumentation. This song doesn’t hold up well against the album’s stronger offerings.
“I Wrote You A Song” continues the downward trend. Although it features David on piano, it fails to elicit the desired emotional response, feeling flat and uninspired.
In an unexpected collaboration, Jon teams up with Ed Sheeran for “Living in Paradise.” Despite this unlikely pairing, the track is upbeat and features a catchy chorus, showcasing the potential for a full album between these two talents.
One of the highlights for me is “My First Guitar,” a heartfelt ode as Jon reconnects with the guitar he sold 45 years ago. The song strikes a genuine chord of nostalgia, emphasizing his love for music in a refreshing and authentic way.
Conversely, the closing track “Hollow Man” misses the mark entirely. This slow acoustic number lacks depth and feels monotonous, detracting from the album’s closing moments.
To summarize the track listing:
– 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
Scoring 8 out of 12 for a 75% track retention, it’s fair to say this is a good album, though not great. The production quality is concerning, particularly regarding Tico’s usual vigorous drumming, which is disappointingly restrained throughout. While there are no standout rock anthems in this collection, the songs that do shine are definitely worth exploring. The storytelling feels improved, and I appreciate the nostalgic elements embedded in many tracks. Jon’s vocals may not reach their past heights, but they’ve improved considerably since ‘2020’, and I’m grateful for that.
Ultimately, I would rate ‘Forever’ a solid 3.0 out of 5.0 stars. This album represents a significant step forward from the last and offers hope for what comes next. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this isn’t the end of Bon Jovi’s journey.
Looking ahead, I will also be ranking Bon Jovi’s albums, moving from worst to best, in the next post. Stay tuned.
