Lost Highway is
Bon Jovi's most straightforward and easygoing record since the debut, once again having a feel and atmosphere of its own, making it stand out completely.
I'll be honest and admit that I liked Have A Nice Day a bit better, but that one also kicked so much ass that I rate it as my second favourite from the band (Keep The Faith taking top spot), this is something different.
The production duties have been split in two and judged by the crystal clear and sophisticated sound it really worked out splendidly.
Lost Highway has a positive, melodic and accessible aura, a sensitive touch and sporadic tough edges.
The title track sets the relaxed mood immediately. A strong drive with a groovy rhythm, a nice melody and a sing a long chorus setting the course. Playful acoustics, a brilliant intermezzo and the to the point guitar solo rounds things nicely off.
Summertime is another personal favourite, a powerful rocker with a heavy beat and delicious crust, and how can you not feel alive with that chorus blasting out your car stereo, I wouldn't find this one tedious after half a day. Uncomplicated and effective.
The first single
(You Want To) Make a Memory is a bold choice not being a conventional ballad; this song travels down a slightly more winding highway.
The harmonious piano melody and string instruments create a completely amazing mood; hauntingly releasing feelings of longing to linger in the air, a story brilliantly told by Jon whose performance is one of his best and most convincing ever.
With
Whole Lot Of Leavin' the band has put together a pretty serious track with a moody feel, high on improvisations and with a loose flow. Nothing breathtaking but pleasantly solid.
We Got It Going On takes the role as the song that didn't work out. It's simply too obvious, simple and at times irritating, like the spoken passage, what's up with that.
Distorted guitars and layered vocals, no thank you, at least not done like this. The hard pumping beat is quite striking though.
Any Other Day is one the other hand an awesome rocker with a touch of gentleness. It's hard to describe but this song is just so well glued together, featuring a delicious guitar lick, relatable lyrics and dynamic bass handling from Hugh McDonald, the "unofficial member" of
Bon Jovi.
The soulful guitar playing in
Seat Next To You is pretty memorable, as is the warm chorus line having an almost healing effect, firmly enriched by the delicate female support. This is a fine ballad with some cool variations to spice things up.
The more time I spent with
Everybody's Broken, the more appealing the song became.
The splendid lyrics has a lot to do with it, a simple line like
"it's okay to feel a little broken, everybody's broken, you're alright, it's just life" carries a strong message.
The laid back flow of the song, lead by a great acoustic guitar riff, comes to a placid stop at 3:08 where the tempo declines and a subtle keyboard takes over. Stunning empathetic vocals once again, just listen to the liberating chorus.
Jon said he wrote
Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore with a duet in mind and Leann Rimes seems a passionate choice with a distinct and powerful collaboration between the two as the result. A fitting guitar solo and creative bass arrangements adds that something extra.
The Last Night starts with
These days, its hard to have a heart
It doesn't matter where you come from, or who you think you are
These days, it's hard just fitting in
Why does someone have to lose, for someone else to win
We're all looking for forgiveness, and someone we can trust
You can wrap your arms around the world
It all comes down to us
This is the last night, you'll have to be alone
Apart from several references to past songs this is just stirring lyrics in my book, the expressive execution making the words make perfect sense.
The song is by the way to the point, catchy and brilliant.
One Step Closer is another slice of comfortable and relaxed Rock injected a cool break while some rich drumming gives it a solid fundament.
I'm not really that fond of
I Love This Town, but it seems the chorus has begun to win me over, sticky as barbecue sauce and quite nice when you get the taste of it. Not too much imagination here but an unpretentious and satisfactory track.
As always the lyrics are essential for the songs aggregated feel and Lost Highway paints colourful, vivid and self-reflecting scenarios with emotional depth.
Search for salvation, dealing with the baggage you carry and squeezing what good you can out of life is some of what the album has to offer, meaningful and intelligently written.
Richie could have launched a few more great solos, I would have liked a few more rockers and especially one track didn't meet the standard but this doesn't alter the overall impression of an extremely catchy, risky and elevating record.
I wrote that this one sounded different to the other nine
Bon Jovi albums, the inclusion of guest singers and instruments as violin, cello and mandolin has of course also something to do with it. In a large majority of instances I think these inclusions enhances the purpose of the songs, leaving a minor but important mark on an album that still has
Bon Jovi written all over it. I'll recommend a listen through headphones, which really brings out the details in clear light.
I do think very highly of this band and if I had to point out a single reason it has to be the life confirming and positive feel I get from their songs, I simply have to get a shot on regular basis...and then it's not a bad thing that it's the best party music you can get a hold of.
Now I only hope the band will visit
Europe sometime soon and write some new material on the way.
This is another high quality release in an impressive stream.
Favourite tracks:
Summertime,
(You Want To) Make a Memory,
Lost Highway,
Any Other Day,
Everybody's Broken and
The Last Night.Written by
Tommy Friday, July 13, 2007
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