Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Solid and Subtle Storytelling
On first listen to Bounce, I felt as if I was listening to a continuation of Crush, a less creative version. Now that I have listened to the album several times, I have come to appreciate its subtlety in both musical composition and storytelling. As a songwriter, Jon Bon Jovi captures the spirit of post 9/11 New York. Being so close to Manhattan last year, the stories reflect the resolve and pain felt in everyone's life in the past year. The songs are filled with pain, especially seen in Joey and the Right Side of Wrong. They are filled with resolve to fight "the dying of the light" especially seen in Everyday, Bounce, and Undivided.
Sambora's guitar work is strong and underscores both the pain and existential drive to life a good life.
As expected, the love songs are filled with big riffs and big phrases. All About Loving You and You Had Me From Hello are the kind of big songs that warm the heart and make young girls dream of their knights in shining armor, in the tradition of Bed of Roses and I'll Be There for You.
Give this album more than one listen. It needs to be savored to appreciate its effort. Once you've heard the album several times, you will find a classic Bon Jovi album.
Rating: - A Step In the Right Direction
Ever since the release of Keep the Faith, Bon Jovi has had more and more pop influence instead of the hard rock edge that made them popular in the 1980's. Because of that, a lot of hard rock and metal fans have not liked more recent material. While I still bought the new material, I did not like it as much as I liked New Jersey and Slippery When Wet.Being a metal head, I love the pop anthems and the heavy guitar influence that Bon Jovi once had. Guess what, my friends! It's back! From the second I put this CD in, I knew it was a giant step forward. Undivided is obviously about 911 and hits home on a lot of issues for anyone that is from the East Coast, as I am originally. The next song is the single of the album. Everyday is a heavy guitar based almost anthem that rivals Livin' on a Prayer. It's a step back in the right direction! Other songs that also are great are Love Me Back to Life, Hook Me Up, as well as the title track of Bounce. All of those are solid rock songs and for me, that's the only reason I buy the album. I want hard rock, not pop. But, the pop side of the album is there. One thing about Bon Jovi is their ability to express actual emotion in love songs that simply are not achieved in modern pop songs. What emotions are expressed in Girl You Know I. Be Kissin' You other than hate for the boy band that sung it. I say sung it because they didn't actually write the song because they aren't talented enough to actually write a song, even a horrible one. But, Joey, Misunderstood, and All About Lovin' You hits a home run in terms of love songs much like Bed Of Roses, I'd Die For You, and Thank You For Loving Me have done for the band in the past. Overall, I'm satisfied. I was worried that there would be horrible songs on the album like Say It Isn't So that frankly turned me way off to Crush. But, there wasn't a real bad song on the album. I do admit that I would rather it be all heavy guitar work and to hear more of Jon belting out lyrics as he did in the heavy rock songs on this album, but I suppose this is a happy middle ground of both worlds. I guess when Jon said that he didn't want to just write a collection of pop songs for this album, it was the best thing for the album. There's a little more anger, pride, and attitude in this album. That speaks hard rock to me, doesn't it?
Rating:  - bounce, literally
Bon Jovi did it. Again. amazing strings on this album, Richie Sambora prooves to everybody, again, where rock begins, and Jon's voice sounds, again, better then ever. bounce offers songs, well writen,well palyed, hard rock,fresh and original.
lyrics - strong rock anthems, with a cinematic spin, songs that tell a story. Undevided, bounce, hook me up everyday tell a story about getting back up, dusting yourself off and going on, telling the story of today's world really. joey, misunderstood, you had me from hello, love me back, open all night, are an emotional trip, dangerous, risky, but worth it!
music - bon jovi give a lesson to all the other acts out there (yes, including creed and all other new guys). attention Rock bands - this is how it should be made. they learned from the 80's, they grew from the 90's, they composed a fresh 80's-90's sound, originality that can only be compaired with david bowie, led zeppelin, Queen
the songs - the distance, right side of wrong, litteraly- save the music, and today, IT NEENDS that saving.
well done Bon Jovi. you've shaken up the industry and tought everyone a lesson or two (or three) about genuine ROCK N ROLL.
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