Do people still drive around in Camaros blasting Bon Jovi? In Bon
Jovi’s perfect world they do, and their 11th album is made for these
people. Opener “We Weren’t Born to Follow” even runs down a list of
folks “this one goes out to” (sadly, “mullet-wearing thirtysomethings
who haven’t updated their record collections since 1988” aren’t on the
list). The song’s sentiment, declared in its title, is forced. This is
a band that’s pretty much followed musical trends to multi-platinum
success for a quarter-century, including a country album the last time
around. The idea that Jon and the guys are trailblazers is ludicrous.
The Circle is a straight-up rock record like Slippery When
Wet, but without “Livin’ on a Prayer”: overproduced and filled with
fist-pumping songs about working men, promised lands and living life to
the fullest. This one goes out to the Camaro owners. Roll down the
windows and turn it up.
— Gallucci
This article appears in Nov 25 – Dec 1, 2009.
