Artist: Bon Jovi Album: What About Now

Year: 2013
Duration: 1:08:50

A Critical Review of the Album What About Now by Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is a rock band that needs no introduction - they've been an icon in the genre since the 80s, with hits such as Livin' on a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the band's album What About Now was one of their latest releases after a four-year hiatus. But did it live up to the hype? Let's dive into a critical review of the album, including a brief history of the artist, the music genre, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and a critique.

The album What About Now is categorized as a pop-rock album and was released on March 8, 2013. It consists of twelve tracks, co-produced by John Shanks and Jon Bon Jovi. The album revolves around themes such as love, hope, and the courage to face life's challenges. What stands out in this album is that the band tries to blend in modern elements with their classic rock sound, but falls short of doing so seamlessly.

The album opens with Because We Can, a well-suited track that sets the tone for the album, and includes motivational lyrics and powerful guitar riffs. What About Now is another song that shines on the album, with its uplifting chorus and the guitar solo that stands out. That's What the Water Made Me talks about the struggles of surviving and is one of the best tracks of the album where the band delivers the right amount of energy.

However, some tracks, such as Army of One, fail to make an impact and leave no lasting impression on the listener. The Fighter, on the other hand, tries to be the anthem of the whole album, but the lyrics feel too generic and unoriginal. The album ends on a high note with The Beautiful World, with its pleasant melody and beautiful lyrics that give listeners a sense of hope and promise.

What makes this album unique is the use of auto-tune and synth-pop elements in a few songs. The use of such elements is not a new concept, but it is not typically associated with Bon Jovi's rock sound. The band tries to experiment but unfortunately fails to deliver a cohesive sound throughout the album. It is not great when they try to modernize their sound, but it leaves listeners questioning if it was the right move for the band.

Critically speaking, What About Now is a mixed bag of emotions and sounds, with some excellent tunes, average numbers, but lacks consistency. The album's attempt to reach the modern audience may have cost them their original fan base who expected more rock tunes, leaving the album sounding scattered.

In conclusion, What About Now is a good album that shows Bon Jovi's willingness to experiment with new sounds. However, it is not the band's best work, and some of the tracks are not memorable or impactful enough. Perhaps, the band could have benefited from being more consistent in their artistic approach. While some may appreciate Bon Jovi's efforts to evolve with the times, there will be others who will feel that their traditional sound has been abandoned. Regardless, What About Now is worth a listen for anyone interested in exploring the band's music.

In conclusion, What About Now is a good album that shows Bon Jovi's willingness to experiment with new sounds. However, it is not the band's best work, and some of the tracks are not memorable or impactful enough. Perhaps, the band could have benefited from being more consistent in their artistic approach. While some may appreciate Bon Jovi's efforts to evolve with the times, there will be others who will feel that their traditional sound has been abandoned. Regardless, What About Now is worth a listen for anyone interested in exploring the band's music.