HAVE A NICE DAY
BON JOVI's songwriting team of Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora
definitely has their songwriting formula patented and perfected. With
Have A Nice Day,
the guys from Sayreville (although you will most likely find them
milling about in the Park Avenue and Rumson, NJ area these days...rich
bastards) present their ninth studio disc, and it delivers the
ultra-catchy, traditional, melodic rock that Bon Jovi is known for.
As with every other studio disc, Jon and Richie wrote endlessly for
Have A Nice Day,
composing far more songs than needed, and tweaking each song until it
couldn't be messed with any more. The end result is a collection of
thirteen tracks (well, twelve if you coun't "Who Says You Can't Go
Home" only once...there's two versions on the disc); many of which
could be used as singles.
The first single on the disc, "Have A Nice Day" is classic Bon Jovi. It
caters to the everyman, and chronicles the trials of blue collar life.
Yes, it's formula art. Sure, you could probably dig up six other Bon
Jovi songs just like it...but that's what these guys do. They write
memorable songs with great hooks about growing up in small town, USA.
"Who Says You Can't Go Home" could cross over into country; especially
the duet version with SUGARLAND's Jennifer Nettles, and the signature
Bon Jovi ballad, "I Am" is sure to have thirty and forty-something
soccer moms all over the 'burbs soaking their shorts right through to
the driver seats of their minivans and SUVs.
This disc is a cross between
New Jersey and
These Days;
it's not too metal, and it's not too mellow. It's like Jon and co. went
back over their catalog and reviewed the discs that resonated the best
with fans...and then created the perfect combination of both.a
