Bon Jovi - Bounce

Bon Jovi
Bounce
Island Records

Just what does Bon Jovi have left to prove? Nothing. And that's what makes every Bon Jovi album released these days so interesting. After sales that run into the tens of millions (and counting), it would seem that the attitude the started off on 2000's Crush is the same that motivates the band with Bounce. The simplicity of writing strong songs, a good balance of ballads and rockers and all with the air of confident seasoned ease of professional musicians.

As with a lot of artists, the events of September 11 seem to have inspired, outraged or prompted the rethinking of game plans. Jon and the rest of his group are no exception. But rather than attempt to make some over the top heavy slab of anger, Bon Jovi have instead decided to make an album of mostly uplifting nature.

The opener 'Undivided' is an unashamed call with the entire hallmark Bon Jovi strong back up vocals and big hooks. The lead off single (And promotional clip) 'Everyday' follows the same lines, while 'The Distance' and the title track 'Bounce' sound like a combination of the Creed/Fuel formula (With a dash of Bon Jovi) arena anthem.

Within Jon, there's still a Bruce Springsteen soul. While songs that involve a storyline are not uncommon with Bon Jovi, the album seems to have a few this time around. 'Joey', 'Right Side Of Wrong' and the touching 'You Had Me From Hello' certainly compliment both The Boss and the Jovi guys. 'Misunderstood' is a cool mid paced number, but there's more than a slight 'Never Say Goodbye' rehash to 'All About Lovin' You'.

Another couple of hard rocker are delivered with 'Hook Me Up' and 'Love Me Back To Life', while the album closer 'Open All Night' is certainly one for the ladies. The two hidden tracks 'No Regret' and 'Postcards From The Wasteland' are obviously demos that weren’t worthy of the album, and that certainly is the case. They’re best left at that.

Luke Ebbin was behind the production (Along with Jon and Richie) on Crush, and has again been used for Bounce. Bounce is a celebration, and fans of Bon Jovi are sure to snap this up and enjoy it whole-heartedly.

For more information on Bon Jovi, check out - https://www.facebook.com/BonJovi.

© Justin Donnelly.

Shadows Fall - The Art Of Balance

Shadows Fall
The Art Of Balance
Century Media Records

I had high hopes that Boston’s Shadows Fall would be able to follow up their last album, Of One Blood, with something special. The fact that the same five musicians that come up with Of One Blood and The Art Of Balance is hard to grasp. The progression between the two is unescapable and obvious!

‘Idle Hands’ simply sheds with more than a slight resemblance to the ‘Master Of Puppets’ era Metallica styled riff. You just don’t know how much you miss that crunch until you hear someone else do it. ‘Thoughts Without Words’ is next, and is also the first promotional video for the album. There’s a slight Soilwork influence here, but is given a different slant with the hardcore styled backing vocals.

Brian Fair’s unique and varied vocal sound is evident in the Testament sounding ‘Destroyer Of Senses’, while the short and delicate instrumental ‘Casting Shade’ showcases Jonathan Donais’s and Matthew Bachand’s guitar prowess. There’s an unbelievable intensity in ‘Stepping Outside The Circle’, but title track ‘The Art of Balance’ does just as it suggest and allows the band a breather. There are some razor sharp licks within ‘Mystery Of One Spirit’ and ‘The Idiot box’, while ‘Prelude To Disaster’ again shows the short instrumental genius of the guitarists. ‘A Fire Burns In Babylon’ has plenty of twists and turns, while final track Pink Floyd’s ‘Welcome To The Machine’ is given a complete metal makeover, yet still retains the spirit of the original.

Producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, God Forbid) has given the Shadows Fall another great sounding album, and the band themselves have given us another great slab of hardcore / metal / thrash. This is one band that will surely be around for some time yet.

For more information on Shadows Fall, check out - https://www.facebook.com/shadowsfall.

© Justin Donnelly.