Artist: Bon Jovi Album: The Circle

Year: 2009
Duration: 51:06

Bon Jovi's The Circle: A Critical Review

Bon Jovi's The Circle was released in 2009 and marked the band's eleventh studio album. Known for their classic rock sound and anthemic ballads, it was interesting to see where the band would take their music next. As a long-time fan of Bon Jovi's music, I was eager to dive into The Circle and see how it measured up against their previous albums.

In this blog post, I will provide a brief history of Bon Jovi and their music genre, followed by an in-depth review of The Circle. I will discuss the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and my overall opinion of the album.

Bon Jovi is a rock band that formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. The band consists of members Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Phil X, and Hugh McDonald. Over the years, they have become one of the most successful rock bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. Their music is a blend of classic rock, pop, and country, with anthemic ballads being a staple of their sound.

The Circle is a concept album that explores themes of love, loss, and personal struggles. The album opens with the song We Weren't Born to Follow, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song is an anthem for those who feel like they don't fit in and are searching for something more. Other standout tracks include When We Were Beautiful, Work for the Working Man, and Bullet.

What I appreciated about The Circle was the band's ability to balance their classic rock sound with a more contemporary feel. The album was produced by John Shanks, who has worked with other artists such as Sheryl Crow and Nickelback. His influence is felt throughout the album, with songs like Thorn in My Side and Happy Now showcasing a more pop-like sound.

One of the most innovative parts of The Circle was the band's decision to incorporate more electronic elements into their music. The song Live Before You Die features a pulsing beat and synthesizers that give the song a more modern feel. While some longtime fans may have been taken aback by this change, I appreciated the band's willingness to experiment and try new things.

However, while there are certainly standout tracks on The Circle, there are also some forgettable moments. The song Fast Cars feels like a filler track, and Brokenpromiseland lacks the emotional resonance of some of the album's stronger tracks. Overall, while The Circle may not be Bon Jovi's strongest album, it is a solid addition to their discography.

In conclusion, Bon Jovi's The Circle is a concept album that explores themes of love, loss, and personal struggles. While it may not be the band's strongest album, it is a solid addition to their discography. The best songs of the album include We Weren't Born to Follow, When We Were Beautiful, and Bullet. The most innovative parts of the album are the band's willingness to experiment with more electronic elements in their music. While there are some forgettable moments, The Circle is still worth a listen for fans of classic rock and Bon Jovi's music.