New York Post Article

Yeah, I know, it's the post, but I like the honesty in the article.

After the band’s country-flavored detour on 2007’s “Lost Highway,” Bon Jovi has taken a very right turn back onto the New Jersey Turnpike for “The Circle.”

“The Circle,” the band’s 11th studio effort, is named to recall the band’s earliest arena-ready, radio-friendly songwriting aspirations that eventually filled stadiums.

Right from the start of this record, Jon Bon Jovi, backed by his original band, takes a stand with the big, bold rocker “We Weren’t Born To Follow.” Realistically, this is a silly song for anybody but a dopey teenager to sing, but Bon Jovi doesn’t know any better and breathes new life into one of the basic tenets of the American dream.

That mythic dream is at the heart of this album, which features songs about fighting authority, discovering a personal path, overcoming life’s obstacles, savoring the good times and learning to laugh when things go bad.

From end to end, this is an upbeat record that never wanders into sap, even on the sentimental “Love’s the Only Rule” and the nostalgic “When We Were Beautiful.”

Credit for keeping the disc’s edge sharp goes as much to Tico Torres’ aggressive drumming, the keyboard fills of underrated David Bryan and Richie Sambora’s versatile guitar work as it does to Jon Bon Jovi’s vocals, which still have clarity, depth and passion.

Like his wealthy colleague Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi will take his knocks for this album’s blue-collar sentiments — especially in the song “Work for the Workingman.” But after several plays, it’s clear that success hasn’t warped Jonny B. Rather, it has shown him the dignity in a blistered hand and a weary mind after a hard day

Read the full article here.

"Realistically, [WWBTF] is a silly song for anybody but a dopey teenager to sing..." lol

~ Hath

PS: Thanks C, for dropping this in my inbox