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HEY GOD
A great uptempo track with a social conscience and meaning. Probably the heaviest track on the album, and their only new track that I could possibly see them opening their show with. The type of sound I like to hear from Bon Jovi and it should go down great live. one of my favourite tracks on the album.
Rating: 8.5/10
SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN
Could have potentially been one of the big hits on the album, but in my opinion just falls short. A catchy tune, but just seems to be lacking that "magic" Bon Jovi touch. Well deserves its spot on the album.
Rating: 7/10
THIS AIN'T A LOVESONG:
Another in the long line of radio ready ballads apealing to the love sick female fans. Alright in moderation, but I'd rather see Bon Jovi steer clear of too much of this type of song. Should make the live set.
Rating 6.5/10
THESE DAYS
A meaningful track with a great sound. It well deserves to be the title track of the album. A great tune , although I can't see it going down well in concert. I may be proven wrong!!!
Rating : 8/10
LIE TO ME
A completely different, although successful, sound from BJ. In my opinion one of the better ballads on the album, although the sudden change in tempo mid way through seems to take a bit of the shine away.
Rating: 7/10
DAMNED
With a sound similar to that of the track "Keep The Faith" (although K.T.F shits all over this), this track seems misplaced on this album. Not one of my favourite tracks.
Rating 5.5/10
MY GUITAR LIES BLEEDING IN MY ARMS
Another one of BJ's slower songs, reminiscentof "While my guitar gently weeps" (artist ?) from a few years back. The heavier portion and chorus of this track show BJ still have the capability to write great rock songs, as I would like to see them do.
Rating: 7/10
IT'S HARD LETTING YOU GO
It's haunting, mysterious sound, in my opinion is the most radically different sound to ever come from bon jovi. one of the best ballads on the album.
Rating: 7.5/10
HEARTS BREAKING EVEN
I don't like the beginning of this song, but after the first few seconds it becomes quite a good song.
Rating: 6.5/10
SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
A great sound to this track, beginning where "Lay Your Hands... " left off, but then continuing on in the opposite direction. It appealed to me immediately and is probably, at the moment, my favourite track on the album.
Rating: 9/10
IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES
Originally my favourite track on the album , but gradually losing it's appeal. A great song with a catchy chorus with the "New Jersey" sound. Earnt its spot on the album.
Rating: 7.5/10
DIAMOND RING
Contradicts the album title "These Days", a rehash from the past two studio albums. If the guy's really wanted to release this it may have been better on the 'Crossroad" album as this track was from that era of their career. Although not a bad track, maybe should have been dropped.
Rating: 6.5/10
ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING
Bridging the gap from the last album, this track puts a much needed glimpse of the good old BJ R'n'R back into the album. Cueerntly one of my favourite tracks if only for it's heavier sound.
Rating 7.5/10
BITTER WINE
A great track!!!! Not much more can be said. I can imagine BJ closing their show with this , although I doubt they will, in a similar manner as they performed "Help" on the K.T.F tour with each of the guys singing a verse. A great end to the album.
Rating: 7.5/10
OVERALL - Although a graet album, in my opinion there were too many slower songs/ ballads. A fan since the Slippery days I expected a heavier more up tempo sound, glimpses of which were shown in the tracks Hey God, Something 4 the Pain, All I want Is Everything and These Days. Although I did not dislike the ballads, most of them were great songs as I mentioned, i would rather see BJ write more heavier, up-tempo tracks. I don't believe this is their best album to date , but this opinion may change with time. ( I find it very difficult to compare any 2 albums side by side due to the unique sound to each BJ album).
To me, it also seems to be lacking some potential live material and some stand out R'n'R anthems such as the Livin'.., lay Your.., Bad Name, in these arms, of the past. I see the guys relying on quite a bit of their old material if they are to keep up their reputation as one of the greatest live acts.
You may think some of the scores are quite low, i'm not trashing the album, but when you look at BJ's past work you will see what a huge reputation the guys have to live up to , a past record unrivaled by almost any other band in the music industry. Overall, a great album, but I believe the best is still to come!!!!!!!!!!!! Album Rating: 7.5/10
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