Bon Jovi – The Circle (Album Review)
SharePosted on 29. Oct, 2009 by Gallivanter in Bon Jovi, Music Reviews, Reviews
When I first heard their new single, “We Weren’t Born to Follow”, I couldn’t help feeling disillusioned for the first time, in a long time, in hopefulness of Bon Jovi’s next album. I wasn’t too delirious about the track and I expected the worst. Boy, was I wrong! This album has induced a major buzz in the Bon Jovi forums, which has been lacking since “Crush” in the year 2000.
Bon Jovi - The Circle Album Review
In 2000, Bon Jovi started off the decade with a bang, as “It’s My Life” that pummeled them back into the spotlight. In 2002, they released a very electronically-dependent album in Bounce, which yielded “Misunderstood” and my favorites “Undivided” and “Bounce”, though I felt it lacked individuality.
In 2005, I thought “Have a Nice Day” was an awe-inspiring album, with a number of songs made it to my permanent playlist – “Bells of Freedom”, “Dirty Little Secret”, “I Am” and “Welcome to Wherever You Are”.
Bon Jovi - The Circle (Album Review)
In 2007, they took the country route, to my apprehensiveness, though the final result was praiseworthy. Lost Highway showcased superior tracks like “Any Other Day”, “Everybody’s Broken”, “Make a Memory”, “One Step Closer”, “Til We Aint’ Strangers Anymore”, “The Last Night”, “Walk Like a Man” and “Whole Lot of Leaving”.
The Circle is emphatically a very fresh Bon Jovi, a Bon Jovi reloaded so to speak. The 12 songs are very nouveau and not as commercial as their previous albums from the year 2000 on. “We Weren’t Born to Follow” however is NOT a testament to how great this album is. It feels like a compendium of epic soundtracks, the soundtrack of life that addresses reality through positivity.
We Weren’t Born to Follow 6/10 I shall not comment on it any further. Definitely a WRONG choice as a lead single. It’s OK, but it doesn’t have the staying power, like their 2002 single “Everyday”.
Bon Jovi - When We Were Beautiful - Album Review
When We We Beautiful 9/10 I just can’t get enough how EPIC this track is and it will sure as shooting heighten the atmospherics in concerts. The drums and the African-esque backup makes it a superb track. DOWNLOAD THE MP3 HERE
Work for the Working Man 8/10 I wasn’t sure of this track when I heard the snippet. The intro purposefully borrows “Livin On a Prayer”’s bass-line to a certain extent. The lyrics are magnificent and very genuine.
Superman Tonight 8/10 This track is made to be a soundtrack. It has all the elements as a perfect song conclusion of a heroic movie. Like most of the songs on the album, it moves through various stages of intensity, slow to fast bursts. Excellent.
Bullet 6/10 The intro and guitar works is nothing short of kickass! Unfortunately, that’s where all the points were given. The song itself is not as enkindling, although it’s very un-Bon-Jovi-like, it is refreshing. I feel the lyrics to the chorus could’ve been better.
Thorn in My Side 5/10 I’m not a fan of this track, though I enjoy the progression of its verses. The whole assemble is very Avril Lavigne-like, pity that the noise that obliterates the delivery of the lyrics. Not a fan of the chorus either.
Live Before You Die 5/10 It’s a narrative track, reminiscent to the song “Joey” they wrote in their 2000 album “Crush”. It showcases Bon Jovi’s storytelling magnitude, which has been subdued over the years though more commercial productions. Points for the lyrical content.
Bon Jovi - The Circle (Album Review)
Brokenpromiseland 9/10 How awesome is this track! A refreshfully attention-getting storytelling, Bon Jovi at their best. It’s also consecrated with a very un-Bon-Jovi-like components of the vocal backups. The chorus knocks the track out of the ballpark!
Love’s the Only Rule 7/10 This one has the Bon Jovi forum fans raving about. Though I think it’s a smashing track, I don’t believe it’s the best on this album. It packs a big chorus though I felt the end of the chorus, lacks originality of sorts.
Fast Cars 4/10 Not one of my favorite I must say. It might grow on me, though I won’t bet my house on it. It’s one of those tracks that is pleasant to hear ONCE, because it’s new, but you’ll get bored of it before you know it.
Happy Now 6/10 They got the verses right but it feels strange listening to a band like Bon Jovi singing a song like this, a mismatch maybe? I like the lyrics on it because it is a satirical outcry - “Can I be happy now?”.
Learn to Love 9/10
The verses may not be as compelling, but damn, the chorus is exquisite. They absolutely nailed it, a sobering look at positivism, which ends thunderingly, “You’ve gotta learn to love the world you’re living in”. What a brilliant ending choice of the album!
VERDICT: 8/10 There are some EPIC tunes here, arguably their best in a long time!
tekkaus
Oct 29th, 2009
Wow! You rated them 8 out of 10? That’s very high. I will tune in to it and see if I can agree with you.
Aj
Oct 29th, 2009
i dont know.. i love their early works until These Days album.. but this time i only listen to them becoz their so “pop” on radio. So we can hear them anyway nowadays not like the earlier days.
ladyviral
Oct 29th, 2009
Oh I love Bon Jovi. But I haven’t been listening to their songs for some time now… I have been much outdated in songs lately too. :/
wallacejbj
Oct 30th, 2009
Hi Daniel, nice review i’m a huge Bon Jovi and a devoted one at best, i totally agree with you on this album, will probably give a few of the songs with 5’s a bit more though, but the comments on Bullet are my feelings exactly, the solo is not like Richie and it’s something he should be proud off, although the hype of brokenpromiseland is a bit too much i would give this a 8, but my favourite track is Superman Tonight (the should have been single, and there’s still time)
We Weren’t Born To Follow hasn’t got the power of It’s My Life, but is one of the catchiest of the album,
It is definitely one of the better albums they have released, Bounce for me was a weaker cinematic album with a story telling side, this album has a lot of everything, and the comment about the chorus’s being overpowering over the guitar work is spot on. Jon recentely commented that this album is about richie, i don’t know if you had the same impression had but i honestly felt like it was more tico and david, but the solo’s were about Richie.
Rating each track for me
1: We Weren’t Born To Follow 8/10
2: When We Were Beautiful 8/10
3: Work For The Working Man 8/10 (solo could have been better)
4: Superman Tonight 10/10
5: Bullet 9/10 (chorus could have had more umph)
6: Thorn In My Side 7/10
7: Live Before You Die 7/10
8: Brokenpromiseland 8/10
9: Love’s The Only Rule 9/10
10: Fast Cars 8/10
11: Happy Now 6/10 (weakest on the album and i’m sure when demo’s get leaked there would have been a kick ass song which should have taken its place)
12: Learn To Love 10/10
MJ-Montreal
Oct 30th, 2009
This review dude is too black and white, there is a lot more shades of color on this CD. Its a strong effort, they are perfecting their craft, songs are rich in content and flavour….this is my two cents….buy the CD, buy the DVD, buy the tickets, the guys are at the top of their game…Richie is back, the guitar while it doesn’t have too much individual spotlight is a constant presence on this project and thank God.
Hey Sambora, you kick ass dude! Anytime in Montreal, Pizza at my house!
We Werent Born to Follow: 7/10, great song cmon its catchy and fun and inspirational, good live song.
When We Were Beautiful: Epic and a departure of sorts, doesn’t sound like typical Bon Jovi, great song. 7/10
Work for the Working Man: I love this track, so real and true, the lyrics and the group effort, the power and the feeling, way better than the acoustic version we heard. 8/10
Superman Tonight: Nice track, good familiar type of BJ song. 7/10
Bullet: Talk box, great riff, KTF type song, great in concert I imagine, I love this song. Turn it up review dude, ever blow your speakers? 8/10
Thorn In My Side: Familiar BJ type song, good lyrics and good song, musically strong. 7/10
Live Before You Die: Familiar storytelling, nice track, makes you want to book a vacation or call an ex-gf, again something we expect from the boys, good track. 7/10
Brokenpromiseland: First listen, didnt like it that much, bit different from what I was expecting and from BJ in general, but after one listen, this is one of the strongest tracks on the CD. 9/10
Love’s the Only Rule: Great song, familiar BJ type tune, good music all the way through, toe tapper…all the stuff we expect from the boys from the swamp. 9/10
Fast Cars: Bummer, this title took me to another place, the song is not bad, it does pick up, lyrics make you think a little. 6/10
Happy Now: Great song, good guitar, chuga chuga chuga chuga chuga chuga …would have loved a HUGE guitar solo but didnt happen, the lyrics are inspirational. 9/10
Learn to Love: Departure for Bon Jovi, not a typical BJ song, very nice, you will humm this all day. 8/10
Granada Network
Oct 31st, 2009
This album it’s not hard rock, that’s ok.
This album it’s great, bon jovi has never been a hard rock band, that’s why it’s my favorite band.
Bon Jovi for the next 100 years….
Tarek
Oct 31st, 2009
Joey was released for Bounce not crush
good review
Daniel Chiam
Nov 2nd, 2009
well i love bon jovi but not really a worshiper. i cant wait to get my hands on the album and listen to all the tracks myself. haha i bet there’s gonna be one killer love song in there XD Learn to love
Gallivanter
Nov 2nd, 2009
Thanks for your feedback. I’ve spent the weekend listening to the album, and my ratings remained. 6 superb songs!
Trepidatious Tyson
Nov 3rd, 2009
Well, that was a pretty good review, I mostly agree with everything
I loved When We Were Beautiful, my favorite out of all them and my new favorite song for a while, I think they should have that the main single for sure. The new album rocks my socks! Id say Fast Cars is my least favorite… Its just a no lol but otherwise I agree with your ratings for the most part 
Within one point anyways 
Great album and awesome post ;P
Gallivanter
Nov 3rd, 2009
Trepidatious Tyson – Agreed on your views.
Jazz Hands
Nov 5th, 2009
Well, as a Bon Jovi fan since the early days I was amazed that I had next to no idea this album was even being made until the middle of last week, and in a way I’m glad because it means I haven’t known what to expect. So one quick trip to iTunes and…
Woah!!!
As much as I enjoyed Have a Nice Day and Lost Highway, I thought that the boys were slowly winding themselves down until their retirement, how wrong I was!
This album god-damn ROCKS!!!
I loved We Weren’t Born to Follow the second I heard it, but I agree it’s nowhere near the strongest track on the LP, to me that accolade goes to Superman Tonight, but hell When We Were Beautiful runs it a hell of a close second! Bullet brings back shades of Hey God, in fact a lot of the album reminisces These Days to me, which since that’s my favourite Bon Jovi album is no bad thing.
I’ve listened to this all the way through 4 or 5 times, and not kidding I’m still getting shivers down my spine listening to these tracks!
Bon Jovi the epic stadium rockers are back with a bang and I love it!
Roll on June next year when I’m going to see them at the O2 arena, I was excited before, now I literally cannot wait!
Anyhow, after all that dribble, heres my ratings:
We Weren’t Born to Follow 7/10
When We Were Beautiful 9.5/10
Work For The Working Man 8/10
Superman Tonight 10/10
Bullet 7/10
Thorn in My Side 6/10
Live Before You Die 5/10
Brokenpromiseland 9/10
Love’s The Only Rule 9/10
Fast Cars 7/10
Happy Now 7/10
Learn To Love 9/10
Bonus Track – We Weren’t Born to Follow Jason Nevins Remix 2/10
Overall, 9/10 would be a 10 but that remix thrown in at the end annoys me as I’m sure the singles will have some great unreleased tracks on them that would have worked better as a bonus track.
Mike
Nov 6th, 2009
Awesome CD! I can’t wait for the concert at the O2 in June 2010. I only wish they could proper classic songs like “Blood on blood”, “Bad Medicine” etc… Obviously his voice is not as it was all those years ago.
Gallivanter
Nov 7th, 2009
Jazz Hands – Thanks for your review!
I’m not gonna bother with that remix version from Jason Nevins. Sounds like a WTF moment.
Mike – Yeah, they have aged, but judging by the output of this album, like fine wine!
gary yeo
Nov 8th, 2009
I love this album it rocks. Brokenpromiseland is totally awesome and there are a large number of tunes that really stand out and i could play them over and over again. The album does sound fresh and is very typical of the quality that you come to expect from this fabulous group. It might sound like a biased opinion from a fan but i genuinely like almost every album – this left feels right being the only exception.
Gallivanter
Nov 8th, 2009
gary yeo – It’s certainly one of their best album, especially with the 6 songs that I thoroughly enjoy.
Ted
Nov 10th, 2009
Sweet review on the album
Keep rockin
fred jovi
Nov 14th, 2009
gud review abt d whole album..bt i still think dat we weren’t born to follow ws quite a good song n probably d 1 of d best 1..i luvd wurk 4 d workin mahn lyk hell..The Album on the whole is amazingly superb..mind-blowin..though it didn’t produced ne big hit bt all d songs were quite consistently good..ain’t lyk ne oder album wer 1 or 2 songs wer lyk helluva n d oder seemd to b fine 1..8 out of 10 is truly correct..AGREED!!!!
Gallivanter
Nov 14th, 2009
Ted – Cheers!
fred jovi – High five!
Liam
Nov 16th, 2009
The Circle!!!!
Well what can i say about it, it’s just amazing the best album Bon Jovi has brought out this century followed closely by Crush.
I have been a huge Bon Jovi fan for a few years now and i’m a massive fan of there album’s:
Bon Jovi, 7800 Farenheit, Slippery When Wet, New Jersey, Keep The Faith and These Days.
We Weren’t Born To Follow great song to sing along to probably my favourite song on the album, but Superman Tonight, Bullet, Thorn In My Side, Brokenpromiseland and Love’s The Only Rule push it very close.
Bullet has got a very unlike bon jovi feel to it but it’s amazing.Brokenpromiseland is very unique it’s also very unlike Bon Jovi. I’m a massive fan of Bon Jovi but especially of their hard rock song’s but Love’s The Only Rule i relly like i would put it up there with In These Arms and Bed Of Roses. I wish there was longer solo’s
But here is my review:
We Weren’t Born To Follow 10/10
When We Were Beutiful 8/10
Work For The Working Man 7/10
Superman Tonight 9/10
Bullet 8/10
Thorn In My Side 9/10
Live Before You Die 6/10
Brokenpromiseland 9/10
Love’s The Only Rule 9/10
Fast Cars 5/10
Happy Now 8/10
Learn To Love 8/10
Christine
Dec 13th, 2009
The Circle is just Brilliant x