Bon Jovi Have A Nice Day from Island Records
Say what you will about Bon Jovi. Say they sold out years ago. Say that they haven’t penned a good album in a decade. Say that Jon Bon Jovi is way more interested in being an actor than being a musician, or that Richie Sambora spends more time being Mr. Heather Locklear than being a hard rock guitarist. Say what you will, but even the biggest hater can’t deny that these guys can write memorable songs about as well as anyone ever has.
Three years after what was arguably their worst album, Bounce, the band has regrouped and come up with what has to be considered their best, most “Bon Jovi-like” album since 1992’s Keep The Faith. For the first time in a really long time, Jon Bon Jovi and company seem to have gotten together and written tunes that just felt good. Sure, there are moments on this release that seem like they were purposely written for radio (ie: the lead single “Have A Nice Day”), but for the most part, Have A Nice Day has recaptured some of the best features of their entire catalog – the non-radio bludgeoned album tracks. While there’s probably not a person on this globe that doesn’t know at least a line or two from “Wanted Dead Or Alive”, the fans that have stayed with the band for over 20 years have done so on the strength of the more personal, less familiar tunes from deep in their albums. Be it songs like “Blood On Blood” from NEW JERSEY or “Wild In The Streets” from Slippery When Wet, these have always been both the popular fan songs and memorable concert songs for this band. With Have A Nice Day, the band has created a new batch of memorable songs that feel like they are cut from this mold. Sure, each song has memorable hooks and choruses, but for the first time in awhile, these feel like material that these guys just enjoyed writing and performing. Songs like “Last Man Standing” or “Complicated” are prime examples of this. “Complicated”, in particular, has a fun vibe to it courtesy of Jon’s spirited vocals and Sambora’s interesting guitar lines that fuse crunchy playing with some cleaner playing. There are some songs that sound a little more like rejects from Bounce (ie: “Dirty Little Secret”), but for the most part, this is a very cool, rockin’ album from New Jersey’s second favorite sons.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jones Violet
I can't believe Bon Jovi is still around and still manage to sound decent. I saw them perform somewhere on TV recently and they can definitely still rock out like the best of them.
2 - Rosanna
This album is FANTASTIC!
The TONE of the album is INCREDIBLE...LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT...
YOU ARE THE MASTERS OF ROCK!
GREAT JOB!
FROM YOUR GREATEST FANS IN THE WORLD...ALWAYS!
3 - Lully
I have to agree Bounce was their worst album. Also have to agree that Have a Nice Day is not their best ever (because I Think These Days is)but most important, I have to agree this album ROCKS!
I LOVE IT!!!!!
4 - louise
This is a fantastic album, have seen bon jovi perform live a few times now, and they rock! Can't wait for the 2006 tour.
5 - DJRadiohead
100,000,000 fans may not be able to be wrong but it doesn't necessarily mean they are right, either.
I still don't understand the attraction to the music. I am glad the BJ fans are finding something to like... "Have a Nice Day" is just... well... it's kind of dumb even for an arena rocker.
6 - Mr Poopy Pants
There's plenty of memorable melodies here. A few really great bridges - I LOVE the Beach Boys thing...and the boys have grown into a modern sound while still managing to sound "rock n roll"...
The big drawback for me is the lyrics...some of this is downright laughable..."Your love is like one last ciggarette...I suck you in and hold my breath" (or something along those lines. And "Unbreakable" pretty much kicks ass, but hearing pretty boy Jon hollering "Bring it on - I'm Unstoppable!" Just seems a tad corny...
However, a few bad lyrical moments aside, I was pleasently surprised to enjoy this album more than any release since "Keep the Faith"
7 - Mandrake
Well, I liked the album pretty much at first but I agree is not the greatest Bon Jovi work so far.
One thing I gotta say... Its been a long time since a brand new Bon Jovi album (since "These Days") made me feel like being in another place, like there's a lot more to discover from each song. I mean, a week from now I might like the album even more, or less.
The weirdest part of hearing "Have a nice day" is that the songs I liked the most are the three xtra tracks for the japanese edition (I think the JP):
- Dirty little secret
- Unbreakable
- These open arms will wait 4u
I really enjoyed this songs, the last time some xtra tracks were included weren't that good at all, I still remember the disappointment (in "These Days") of "All I want is everything" and "Como yo nadie te ha amado", which was "This ain't a love song" in shattered Spanish.
By the way, Bounce is not a bad album at all, maybe you heard only the lame selected singles to promote it.
8 - DianeD71
Jon Bon Jovi is one of the greatest stars of our time, with words that are nothing but genuine and true from his heart and soul and I believe that is what makes the best of em true legends, they remain true to the heart, no matter what critics have to say.
9 - DJRadiohead
It's not difficult to speak from the heart when the only thing you have to say is "Have a Nice Day."
10 - Tara
I just don't get how people can say Bounce was their worst!!!! I thought it was a gazillion times better than Crush- what a piece of crap that album was. Had about 3, 4 good songs and tons of filler. Bounce didn't seemed to run seemlessly with great songwriting. Go figure!!
Have a Nice Day...jury is still out on it with me. It's so poppy...Jon's trying so hard to sell records and it shows!! He was probably so bummed out about how Bounce went nowhere...if he's gonna go this poppy, he should do a solo record again (cuz Destination Anywhere was awesome). If he's gonna use his band- don't underutilize Richie's virtuosity with all this less rock- more pop junk!!! But as far as pop it's pretty good cuz who writes catchier songs than Bon Jovi?
11 - Tara
Whoops...above it should read: Bounce seemed to run seemlessly with great songwriting. not didn't seemed- what the hell does that mean? ha ha!
12 - Tara
And I agree...if you only heard the singles from Bounce...you really missed out!! The Distance should have been a single- no question!! Everyday sucked, Misunderstood was just ordinary. The Distance would have been huge!!!
Now as far as the new record...if they don't release "I Am" as a single, they're fools. Instead, they'll go with the cliche-ridden vomit-inducer called "Welcome to Wherever You Are." if you have to pick a ballad, "Bells of Freedom" is much better.
13 - anna
I've been a huge fan ever since I heard "Livin' in a prayer" for the first time when I was about 10. Although I'm A HUGE fan I've accepted some old songs have been a bit corny or cornering on pop/"I-wanna-sell-music" but all in all I loved this album... Yeah, they are not timeless and memorable songs as "livin in a prayer" or "i'll be there for you" but it's a great cd to just sit back and listen to, I can (again as in all their albums) relate to what they are singing about and I still truly think their words come right out of the soul - love it.
As for "Bounce", who the hell didn't like it? Awesome album... I most say it's the most "cornering-on-pop" cd they've made but it still rocks... and the song "Misunderstood" who the fuck didn't like it?! Will you just listen to it, it's great, plus the rhythm is great.
14 - Mandrake
I agree with Tara that "The Distance" in Bounce could have been a great single.
That single choice could have made a difference on many bad critics Bounce got. There are other many good songs in there.
15 - Kaori
Well I more or less agree with everything that was said: "Bounce" was not the best album ever but was worth listening to, their golden days were in the 90's, they want to sell records, but who doesn't?...
About "Have a nice day", I've just listened to it and I'm sure I will listen to again and again. I didn't really enjoy the last records at once (except "Crush" that I loved immediately) but when you carefully listen to them in a quiet place, you just live the melodies.
And Bon Jovi has always written some Bon Jovi songs, it rocks, it works and that's already something. Why should they recreate music? That's not what I'm asking them, I'm a fan since 1994 and all I want is Bon Jovi, even if it's not a revolution, I like it, I'm satisfied with it (not tranported, but it's OK) and I'm looking forward attending another of their live performance, because that's really what they're good at! Maybe their records aren't something extraordinary, but their shows are always incredible!
And I know it's not fashionable to say that you like Bon Jovi, but I don't care, I do like Bon Jovi!
16 - robert giampaolo
The "critics" have nothing but bad things 2 say about Bon Jovi whenever they release an album... I've been a fan since 84 now and still enjoy their music. You know what? I like the simple lyrics and the guitar solos !! Remember this so called critics, 20 yrs later the boys are still around (not to mention the fact that they can rock the crap out of anyone when it comes to live performances)and will be remembered for many yrs to come unlike just about every stupid teeny bopper/ gangster rapper (by the way, does the world know that Tupac died a few yrs back ???) /hip hop "artist" (who of course needs to "feature" some other moron if they wanna sell) who seem to dominate the musical world...soooo sad !! Go Jovi !!!!
17 - kriminell
Maybe it's not the best album ever, but I don't consider it bad at all. If you are expecting Bon Jovi to be the Bon Jovi in 80s or 90s, then you are a fool. It's 2005, and Bon Jovi ain't growing younger. As far as this new album goes, of course you can always find fault with it, but overall I think it's great. To say the least, it rocks. If you think the lyrics are too simple, go read Shakespeare's; don't listen to rock n' rolls.
18 - Slash_sambora
Not a bad album, I dont think its better than Bounce, which I thought was a great improvement on their hugely dissapointing Crush album (lets face it apart from Its My Life & One Wild Night) what other goods songs are on this album?
I think the opening two tracks on Have a Nice Day are good songs but not amazing. The albums version of Last Man Standing has ruined the song and its version on the box set is so much better.
Funnily enough I think two of the best tracks are the bonus tracks on the UK release (Dirty Little Secret and Unbreakable) Nice heavy tracks reminiscent of Bounce
For me, Bon Jovi's best album is These Days and I believe it always will be, none of their records will never match the lyrical greatness of this album.
Have a Nice day falls terribly short of this
19 - cklincoln
this is a good cd it does have a lot of songs i find my sely singing in the car or walking down the stree. all of Bonjois cds are that way i guess i am off but i dont think they have put out a bad one they are all great i guess it is like may things in life, if you dont get it they dont like it. i find my self relating and or understanding the songs so i like them even more. have read one bashing review after the other and am glad i found this one although i dont agree 100% and with that BONJOVI HAVE A NICE DAY is worth going out an getting got it the day it came out and it has not left my cd player
20 - Gareth 17
What the fricken hell are some of you tossers goin about, bounce wasnt good, crush wasnt good and even these days was rubbish????? Some idiot even said everyday and misunderstood was crap (TARA). Let me say something here. Bon jovi arent fashionable or trendy enough anymore and thats why they get kicked pillar to post coz the critics aint got fuck all better to do than lick the arse of bands like u2 and coldplay. Bon jovi write and perform fantastic upbeat songs that every bon jovi fan loves and new fans along the way. Jon and ritchie aint trying to write the greatest album in the world for the critics, they write an album that means something to them and the fans and they know damn well it will attract new fans along the way and that says something for the quality of songs they write and produce, these fellas have been going 20 years and still knockin out quality. Whatever kind of album they write they will never get the credit they deserve no matter what because critics like q magazine who feature coldplay, u2 or oasis on the front cover of there magazine nearly every other month it comes out will just slag them off in a small shitty 30word review, well how could you write much more when your stuck up bono"s arse. Have a nice day is a very good album and the guitar work by ritchie is utterly brilliant and makes the album for me. 95% of the songs are great and each other time i will listen to the album i will like one song more than the other until i play it again and that is because the album is littered with brilliant songs. You want songs that make you feel like jumping off a cliff go stick coldplay on or you want a lyrical masterpiece go listen to lennon ( who is a genius) if you just want a damn good feel good album that sounds amazing and isnt trying to pretend it's summit its not then buy have a nice day and a message to all the critics GO FUCK YOURSELVES YOU SAD LONELY BASTARDS.
21 - DJRadiohead
There is definitely something to be said when a band survives (and sometimes even thrives) for 20 years with very little positive press from music critics. What that something to be said is... well... I guess that depends then, doesn't it?
I always thought Richie should sing more and play less and JBJ should... well... maybe he could hold a tambourine or something.
I am sure the band will sell a few copies of the album and sell out their tour... I will look forward to hearing the fans' reviews because I will be busy that night. I still just don't get it but that's just me.
22 - Gareth 17
Now then dj radiohead what's rattled your cage mate??? Ive looked up at your comments and its clear to see your not a jovi fan so why write a review or make comment??? Have you actually listened to the new album yet or you just writing these comments coz your bored??? I think 50 cent is shite but im not on some website making comments about him it just wouldnt be worth 30secs of my day to write about something i dont care about. I dont understand your actions???????
23 - DJRadiohead
Gareth, Gareth, Gareth...
I have to be a Bon Jovi fan to have an opinion on Bon Jovi or make a comment? That doesn't seem right.
I have only heard the first single from the new album... not the entire album. It is why I have not offered an opinion on the album as a whole. I did offer an opinion on the song and on the band as I am more than familiar with a fair number of the band's songs over the years.
I was upfront on my opinion of the band as a matter of full disclosure and admitted throughout my comments that the band obviously has a large following and a long career. I tried to be as polite as one can in critiquing something I don't like.
The reason for my comments: well, I guess boredom might have played a part. I also thought some of the things said in the review and comments was interesting. Hell, we're all here so let's talk. Do we all have to agree? If that's what you want, I am sure there are some lovely Bon Jovi message boards where only the faithful chat. But this is a gathering of lots of people with lots of opinions. I agree with some, disagree with more.
I do apologize to any I might have offended or caused undue annoyance.
24 - Mark Saleski
i heard Bon Jovi do a killer Beatles cover on the radio last week. killer. made me wish he'd come out with a cd of the stuff.
i'm not kidding.
25 - Gareth17
DJ were writing review's here about the new album and what people think are good or bad about the album and like yourself i agree with some and others i dont but your comments are sarcastic and offer no help to anybody whos lookin on this site maybe to make there mind up either way about purchasing the album and wanted bon jovi fans opinion good or bad but at least they've heard the album. Like you said you was bored.