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"Fully embracing his roots and history, Bon Jovi's "Forever" is a varied, deep and engaging work."
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4/5
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In 2022, the news of Jon Bon Jovi's vocal cord surgery sparked much speculation about the future of New Jersey's legend. Now, two years later, Jon Bon Jovi is back to put everyone's minds at rest. To do so, he has transformed his quintet into a septet, making John Shanks and Everett Bradley official members in their own right. While the move may seem like yet another nod to his idol Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band, Shanks is also responsible for the production and composition of many of the tracks, so it would have been unfair not to give him the recognition he deserves. "Forever" follows on from "2020", whose maturity and social involvement marked a turning point in Bon Jovi's career.
But if its predecessor was marked by the covid 19 pandemic and other social unrest, the new opus is totally connected to the life of its author, who doesn't hesitate to look back on his existence with a benevolent and soothed nostalgia, which is evident in many of the lyrics. 'Legendary' and 'We Made It Look Easy', for example, look back at the road travelled by the American band, while at the same time boasting infectious energy and unstoppable riffs and choruses. The delicate waltz of the ballad 'Kiss The Bride' sees the singer dealing with his daughter's wedding, while the hauntingly twilight 'Hollow Man' sounds like the testament of an artist who seems ready to end his career with serenity, having achieved everything he wished.
It's also amusing to note that, to reinforce this return to his story, Bon Jovi doesn't hesitate to draw out the talk-box on the irresistible 'Living Proof', even though it had made 'Living On A Prayer' legendary. As for 'The People's House', it effectively recycles the riff from 'Keep The Faith' as a unifying song about community values. And as the leader of the now septet has never concealed his admiration for the Boss, to the point of beginning a certain artistic mutation towards the inescapable identity of his model, it's not surprising to find a few nods to him on this opus. Whether on the energetic rock of 'Walls Of Jericho' or the melancholy ballad 'My First Guitar', the Springsteen shadow is obvious. The first half of 'Hollow Man' is reminiscent of 'Nebraska', although it then builds to a superb climax.
"Forever" could serve as a superb musical testament, but is also further proof of the inspiration and wisdom with which its progenitor is now endowed. Fully embracing its roots and history, Bon Jovi offers a varied, profound and endearing work. As the band has grown, so have the bonds between its members, who have rallied around their leader after all the hardships they have been through. Both moving and inspiring, we can only hope that this opus will not be the band's last, even if it would represent a departure into the light. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Legendary - 4:05
 02. We Made It Look Easy - 3:15
03. Living Proof - 3:39
04. Waves - 3:52
05. Seeds - 5:05
06. Kiss The Bride - 3:51
07. The People’s House - 4:36
08. Walls Of Jericho - 3:48
09. I Wrote You A Song - 3:25
10. Living In Paradise - 3:16
11. My First Guitar - 4:55
12. Hollow Man - 4:54
LINEUP:
David Bryan: Claviers / Piano, Pedal Steel
Everett Bradley: Claviers / Percussions
Hugh McDonald: Basse
John Shanks: Guitares
Jon Bon Jovi: Chant / Guitares
Phil X: Guitares
Tico Torres: Batterie
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.2/5 (4 view(s))
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