New Jersey is one of the albums that really catapulted Bon Jovi to fame. After the great success of Slippery When Wet it was thought they would find it hard to do anything better but they proved everyone wrong. New Jersey is much better than Slippery When Wet.

I can't begin to explain what this album does to me every time I hear it. It gives me almost a sense of pride to have been old enough to remember when this album was released, and to have enjoyed it the first time around. With traditional riffs, catchy lyrics, it is pure Bon Jovi through and through.

Although it's probably a little outdated these days, for anyone who grew up listening to "Lay Your Hands On Me", "Bad Medicine," and "Born To Be My Baby" this is a pure winner, not only in music but also penmanship.

One thing that seems to have been a theme for Bon Jovi in the 80s was the cowboy. Songs like "Ride Cowboy Ride" and "Stick To Your Guns" can be added to the collection of cowboy songs Bon Jovi like to sing, such as "Wanted Dead Or Alive". Jon Bon Jovi finally seemed to have got that out of his system when he released "Blaze Of Glory".

"Bad Medicine" and "Lay Your Hands On Me" are traditional of Bon Jovi, and showed that cock rock everyone in the 80s loved so much. The album title is a strong implication of how proud the New Jersey band are of their roots, and the imprint of this is throughout the album. As always there is the traditional love song that comes from Bon Jovi, and "I'll Be There For You" is beautifully written, beautifully sung and beautifully performed. It's probably one of the best rock ballads out there.

It follows up Slippery When Wet with songs about defiance, love surviving all, friendship, and of course the most common thread for any 80s hard rock band: sex.
The whole album goes from strength to strength with its music.

Stand out songs: Pretty much every song stands out, but the real winners are "Blood On Blood", "Lay Your Hands On Me", "Bad Medicine", "I'll Be There For You", "Born To Be My Baby" and "Living In Sin".

For Bon Jovi fans, and new fans-this is the defining album you should have in your collection. If you're not hooked by the end of it, you never will be.

I give this album 5/5

Bon Jovi-New Jersey
Year: 1988
Label: Polygram Records
Track listing:
1. Lay Your Hands On Me
2. Bad Medicine
3. Born To Be My Baby
4. Living In Sin
5. Blood On Blood
6. Homebound Train
7. Wild Is The Wind
8. Ride Cowboy Ride
9. Stick To Your Guns
10. I'll Be There For You
11. 99 In The Shade
12. Love For Sale