Wow... 20 years ago June 19, 1995
 

These Days was released.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bon-jovi-these-days/

Some of us are getting old...

I was 9 years old when I bought that album - suffice to say, it was the first album I ever bought (hence my nickname ? duh...).

I remember my dad advising me to buy the CD instead of the cassette but I was so eager to listen to it right away in his car that I decided to buy the tape instead (only to buy the Special Edition CD a year later and the remasterd album in 98 or 99). So yeah, you got it - I bought These Days three times. Worth every penny ;)

It still stands (IMO) as the BEST Bon Jovi album ever in every aspect. But that's just me.

The first BJ album that disappointed me.

It is interesting to read that Jon actually mentioned 'capitalizing on what Def Leppard' started.

Come on Jon, do the right thing, get Richie back, and tour with Def Leppard.

Same here.

I was 20 and feared it might be patchy due to the success of Always and the first single TAALS. Seemed to be full of slower songs.

Love hey God, these days, guitar bleeding, damned, hearts breaking even but the rest were a bit too average for me

Yeah we are getting old but it seems that the old BJ albums are getting even better with the time. I like them more and more.

So... The band peaked 20 years ago. It's hard to believe the change that occurred between 1995 and 2000.

Studio-wise, yeah, but that's the case with any artist that's been around for so long - they all peak at certain point and then spend the rest of their careers doing albums mostly for themselves, record companies, and die-hards, while successfully touring on old hits. There's nothing wrong with that, and to me Bon Jovi were still very formidable live in 2000, with Jon and Richie able to do justice in most of their songs. If that's how the band remained, I'd been very happy.

To me, the change in their live performances from 2001 to 2006 is more depressing. Sure they picked it up a bit in 2008-2011, but that was more about bits and pieces (a rarity here and there, a high note nailed by Jon here and there), but still not the same live consistency that was before.

Well, you know, a lot of people think they peaked in 1987/88/ or 89.

I guess it depends on what your criteria for "peaking" is.

It's their best album by a mile to be honest.

All about opinions i suppose, Great album, but for me NJ is top, Followed by Bounce

Controversial lol