Customer Reviews

The Circle / When We Were Beautiful (CD + DVD)

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

For me, 'The Circle' is probably the best Bon Jovi album since 2002's release of Bounce. Ever since then, it's felt like Bon Jovi was mellowing and going away from their roots as they experimented with taking the rock out of their songs and playing with acoustics (as with This Left Feels Right: Greatest Hits With a Twist) or watered-down pop (as with Have a Nice Day) or country (as with their last release Lost Highway). While I know one of these three albums struck a chord with new and old fans alike, as a hardcore Bon Jovi fan, these lacked what 'The Circle' has. It's back to rock, it's back to the stadium anthems and 1980s vibe and spirit that the group seemed to have strayed from. In all, this is probably one of the most unexpected musical surprises for me in 2009; not only did Bon Jovi return but they came back with a heavy-hitting rock album that really holds nothing back and sounds as if it belonged among some of their best albums like 'Slippery When Wet' and 'New Jersey'.

The Good: There's much to like about this album. The overall direction of this album feels somewhat retro; this doesn't sound at all like what Bon Jovi's produced as of late. It was true return to their roots with lots of guitar riffs and heavy drums (such as on "Work For the Working Man", an anthem for middle-class America); there was more depth and emotion packed into the music such as the reflective "When We Were Beautiful" and "Live Before You Die". Even though the music sounds dated with its 1980s rock treatment, the lyrics feel very modern and current, a penchant that attributes to Bon Jovi's popularity throughout the past few decades. If there's a theme to 'The Circle' it's optimism in the face of adversity and challenges. Whether it's through asking for love and compassion as in "Bullet", encouraging you to get the most out of life as with "Live Before You Die" or simply surviving heartbreak as in "Thorn In My Side", 'The Circle' feels very inspiring and encompassing. The last few albums from this group left me somewhat uninterested because they felt like concept albums; deliberately dabbling in country or putting aside their personality and rock background for something different. That was okay, but 'The Circle' packs a punch. It's far more emotional, leaves a lasting impression, is more catchier than the group's efforts in the 2000s. This album definitely got me excited and has me listening from track one to the end without skipping, a rare quality in many releases these days.

The Bad: There are a few songs that didn't work as much for me as others. "Superman Tonight" is my least favorite on the album; yes, it's rock but it felt like an attempt at a rock-love song but lacks sentiment and emotion. It also felt like a re-hashing of music the group's done before because they've made reference to 'Superman' in the context of love and relationships before on previous albums and this track just didn't vibe as well with the rest of the record. "Loves The Only Rule" is another track that didn't click with me; it's not as rock orientated and more pop and feels like an outtake from 'Have a Nice Day'. These two tracks aren't horrible but they feel awkward and disrupt the flow of the album just a bit.

When We Were Beautiful (DVD): The Good - It's beautifully shot in crisp, all black and white. It includes snippets of live performances from the 'Have a Nice Day' and 'Lost Highway' tours. It features all of the members of Bon Jovi, giving them each a moment to shine and explain what they contribute to the group. Probably the most poignant moment was Richie Sambora describing his personal troubles in a very candid manner and how work and Jon Bon Jovi keeps him in line. The Bad - the documentary is a tad bit lagging. Jon Bon Jovi spends a good portion of the album playing the 'it's lonely at the top' role; he and others in the group casts himself in the role of leader and creative genius and explains that he's responsible for so much that he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. Hearing him complain about the woes of fame scene after scene got a bit irritating and annoying.

In all, if you're a fan of old-school Bon Jovi, 'The Circle' is going to please you. It's a definite return to form and ditches the mellow/country vibe the band's been playing with for the last few years. This edition also comes with a DVD of a mini behind the scenes documentary that celebrates the group's 26 years in the business. While the casual fan may not find the 'When We Were Beautiful' documentary interesting, die-hard fans will definitely be pleased with it and should check out Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful, a book of photos that covers the groups history in addition to this special edition. It's refreshing, invigorating, rock music; something that's very rare and missing in today's music market. Because it's not country or mainstream, and because it's more akin to what was popular in the '80s rather than what's en vogue today, some may dismiss or overlook 'The Circle' but I encourage everyone to give it a listen. Definitely more fun, inspired and better produced than most of the group's 2000s efforts. Definitely worthy of your listening to and purchase.

Listen to These: "When We Were Beautiful", "Happy Now", "Live Before You Die", "Learn to Love", "We Weren't Born to Follow"

I have some mixed reactions about this album. If I had to compare this album to any other Bon Jovi album I would say it is the 2000's version of "These Days," only a little less depressing, and a harder rocker. This album is a commentary on our declining social conditions in the U.S. today. Instead of taking people away from how depressing our society is today, it brings it to the forefront, kind of like the daily news. When you hear lyrics like "Can someone somewhere help me justify why these strong hands are on the unemployment line," "What is the distance between a bullet and a gun God are you listening or have you just given up,"And all I got I'm holding in my hands We're breaking out of brokepromiseland." Lyrics like that aren't necessarily going to uplift individuals. Another huge criticism I have on this album is that a lot of the songs sounds like they are recycled older Bon Jovi songs. The main riff for "Work For The Working Man" sounds like a revamped "Livin' On A Prayer." "Bullet" sounds like "Hey God." "We Weren't Born To Follow" sounds like a mix of most of their anthems made this decade. Having said that, this album is still is better than any other Bon Jovi album released this decade. It's a lot heavier than any of the albums released this decade.

"WE WEREN'T BORN TO FOLLOW" is clearly this album's hit anthem. It sends a pretty powerful message by stating no matter how bad things are today you have to remain true to yourself and your beliefs, and not to let the world kick you around. 5/5

"WHEN WE WERE BEAUTIFUL" takes the band and its listeners back to their days of adolecence. It's a return to innocence if you will. It's the band reminicing of their glory days. Good little power ballad. 3/5

"WORK FOR THE WORKING MAN" a revamped "Livin On A Prayer," much heavier with no talkbox; sends another powerful and is a good hard rocker. It's a song where you can pump your fist in the air. 5/5

"SUPERMAN TONIGHT" it's not a bad song, typical Bon Jovi ballad. 4/5

"BULLET" another hard rocker, another song commenting about social conditions today. Hardest rocking song on this album and probably one of the hardest songs they released this decade. Richie Sambora tears it up on this one a killer solo, complete with talkbox, and heavy guitar riffing. Still an awsome tune. 5/5

"THORN IN MY SIDE" something different from the band, no comment on social conditions, doesn't remind me of any other Bon Jovi song in the catalog. Very good solo by Richie. Very up-tempo, another great rocker. 5/5

"LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE" uptempo ballad, more of a mellower rocker. 2/5

"BROKENPROMISELAND" slower-paced rocker, great guitar riffing with an equally good solo, very good. 5/5

"LOVE'S THE ONLY RULE" faster-paced mellow Adult Oriented Rock song, reminds of something off of "Crush." 2/5.

"FAST CARS" yet another slower paced ballad. To me, it seems like an album filler. 2/5

"HAPPY NOW" great riffing with use of a wah pedal, I like the solo. Little bit slower, not quite a power ballad. 5/5

"LEARN TO LOVE" closing power ballad, with Jon and Richie harmonizing together. Good track 3/5

In closing, I wish this album had come after "These Days." However, I think this entire album was inspired by the recent troubles plaguing this country, without that this album wouldn't be possible. "The Circle" blows away any of the new materials recorded this decade. It's not "Keep The Faith," "New Jersey" or "Slippery When Wet," but much better than anything after "These Days." My advice to the Bon Jovi boys is avoid the social commentary and politics, and keep up the harder-driven songs and melt it together with "Keep The Faith," "New Jersey," and "Slippery When Wet." The reason I give it a 4/5 Stars is because there's a decent amount of criticism, however I would say they are on the up and up and I think the next album they release will be as good as "Keep The Faith" or "N.J." If you're a fan buy it, you won't be disappointed.

I loved it to death! I always wanted to know how he does all this work and this DVD clears it all. He is just amazing.

OMG! The boys from Jersey just do it OVER and OVER again! Although this album has a different feel than Lost Highway, it has the same "pull you in" and "make you sing along" rhythms and lyrics. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the arena anthem feel of this album -- heavy drums, big harmonies ( I mean how can you beat 'sha la la, sha la la, hey!') but even more I love the appeal of the lyrics. When we Were Beautiful is honestly written ("Now are we blessed or are we cursed that what we are is not what we were?") and Breaking Out of Broken Promiseland has to be the most time-appropriate AND timeless song I've heard in a while (Who's going to bail out all our shattered dreams and scrape some truth off of these city streets?") And that's really the beauty of the whole cd -- these songs FIT -- not just what I, personally, may be going through; not just what our country may be going through; but something UNIVERSAL that we all can relate to. I have listened to the cd daily since I bought it the first day of its release -- and haven't got sick of it. In fact, the more I listen to it, the more I discover that I like about it. This cd has a bit of a These Days feel to it (if you are an "old" bon jovi fan like I am, you'll know what I'm talking about; if you're not an "old" fan, buy this cd and These Days, too!) All in all, I love it! My favorite tracks: When we Were Beautiful, Broken Promiseland, and Learn to Love.

This album is absolutely amazing!! The lyrics are great and musically it is one Bon Jovi's best!! I have been an avid Bon Jovi girl since the late 80's. Anyone who loves a good song lyric will love this album!!!

The boys are back and they have done it again!!!

Every band has its ups and downs in unity, creativity, production, especially after 25 years playing and recording almost incessantly. Bon Jovi is no different and after coming short with Bounce and Have a Nice Day (altough there are very good songs), they made a very good album in Lost Highway and really pulled it through with The Circle. Very well played, produced, written, with a taste of the Bon Jovi of the 80's and mid 90's (until These Days).
Without a doubt, one of the best bands ever, and it's a relief to see bands playing for 2 or 3 decades and making music that matters!!!
Behold the masters of Rock and Roll....!!!!

I've been a huge Bob Jovi fan for more than 20 years. I have all their cds, including the singles just so I can hear the b-sides. But it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Jon's voice has gone from a high pitched scream (which I enjoyed) to a constant whine. The music is poorly recorded and over produced. You can tell just by listening to it that everything is recorded separately and put together on Pro Tools. Jon has gotten to the point that he's repeating the same lyrics album after album. And, most importantly, there's NOTHING special about these songs! I guess when I get nostalgic, I'll pop in my copy of New Jersey and remember what this band used to be about. But I'm done buying the new material.

Another stunning CD/DVD from such an amazing band. The DVD gives a fantastic insite into the band and how Jon runs such a hugely successful corporation. Rock on BON JOVI - you are the BEST!

Great album! Lyrically BJ are at their best this time. A proof that this is one of the best rock bands ever.

you absolutely have to get the combo cd/dvd of this, its excellent!!! there are alot of surprises in the dvd and the songs are terrific. different from what i heardfrom them before very enlightening, i loved it, they blew it out of the ballpark with this one. you gotta get this!!!!!