Let's rate: This Is House Is Not For Sale, the song

But that's exactly it, I felt that musically WDR moved in the wrong direction - even more overproduced and "wall-of-sound"-ish than the other of Shanks masterpieces. WDR tried so hard to be rock in attitude (and pulled it off in that regard), but the chorus was basically EDM in terms of music.

I gave it a 1. Maybe it should have been a 3. :/ The music itself I like, but I can't get past those awful lyrics. They are cringeworthy to me. Hopefully, there are some better songs on the album.

That makes sense.

However, for me, this formula has gotten so incredibly stale, that after so many sound-a-like albums and singles, I'd appreciate if they took a risk for once. And WDR at least somewhat felt like one. And didn't even Jon said before BB was released how this is a new song and a preview of what's next?

It would've made total sense to change their sound to match a new era for the band; yet it seems like it's Join trying his hardest make the music sound the same as it had for the last 15 years, long before Richie left.

It´s the same old, we´ve obviously heard it before, it´s not incredible, it could have more power on vocals and guitars, it could have had better lyrics (I don´t give lyrics much importance since I´m spanish, but I don´t even listen to lyrics in spanish music, because I understand English perfectly), it is..., it could....

but the reality is that we are before the best Bon Jovi´s effort since HAND. For me it´s even superior this THINFS but that would be only an oppinion and I´m here to talk just about facts:
This isn´t the very great track many are trying to see, nor a shit sugarcoated many people angry with the recent history of the band are bounded to hear. Not. This is just a generic pop rock song, aimed to get BJ in the spotlight again thanks to its hook, and with no breathtaking means but at least very solid.

That´s because this song is obviously between 6-7.
But as I like it, personally (this is my opinion and not a fact) I give it an 8.

THINFS represents....em let me calculate...maybe the 5% from the album?
Let´s say your comment is at least a jump to conclussions...
Maybe time will prove you right eh, don get me wrong, but just...

its never a 10/10 - by saying that you are saying its in the bands best ever work - do you really rank it along side Dry County, KTF, BTBMB etc etc?

A solid 7 or 8 is i think, a reasonable score.

I gave it 8

I gave it an 8. Not because it's such a mastepiece, but it's decent enough and the production seems to 'breathe' a bit more than previous efforts by Mr. Shanks.

I quite like the tune... it doesn't sound like it desperately wants to deliver a message (WWBTF) or become a hit (BWC). It's a relaxed rock song with a neat hook. I especially like the "oooh oooh" part in the verses. Bon Jovi by numbers? For sure. But better than stuff like "What About Now" or SNGMSM.

Last time they surprised me with a lead single was "Make A Memory" and that became one of my alltime favourite songs.

I rate it 6. I like it a fair amount, but I think it will wear of fast, so I am being cautious.

Positives:

• It has a somewhat rockier punch
• Something about it feels more organic than anything on WAN
• I like the video (it's part of the package so I include it)
• Strongest lead single since HAND (memory is a better song though)
• In the video there seems to be a bit more energy about the band. You can act these things of course, but I though the Because We Can video was an energy void.
• As generic as they are, I don't mind the guitars.
• I detest WAN, so this is stronger than anything on there for me.

Negatives

• It is the same old formula, which could point to the whole album being the same.
• Awful lyrics (nothing new really)
• Back to the video. Jon has developed this cheesy thing of looking at the camera in a weird way. It is ultra minor and makes no difference, but too much DirecTV I think.
• Obvious wall of sound production that I just don't like. This is Shanks' sound so it is not going to change for the album.
• They are clearly doing a lot of work to Jon's voice in the studio. I am not sure he could even sing this well live.

My biggest concern is that this is the pointer for the whole album, that we are just getting WAN part 2. I am still cautiously optimistic because perhaps the band is just knocking out the tune they have become known for over the last 15 years.

Whether we like them or not, from It's my Life through Everyday, HAND, Born to Follow, and Because we Can, those singles have served a purpose to varying degrees of success.

Hopefully the album sees something more akin to taking a new path.

I am well aware of that. But lead singles are not chosen by a lucky lottery. It's supposed to represent the album and make the biggest possible impact to promote it.

Moreover, this also happens to be the title track. What About Now, Lost Highway, Have A Nice Day, Bounce, These Days, Keep The Faith - all of these songs represent their respective albums quite nicely if you ask me.

In some cases yes, others no. It's My Life was not really representative of the other songs on Crush, or Memory did not say rock record with a country twist. Sometimes a lead single is crafted to be just that, a commercial door to bring in listeners to an album.

Look, I share your worry. The chances are the new song perfectly represents the album and we get the same crap again. At this stage though, the album could still be different.