Okay, confession time. Although Bon Jovi are the argubly the biggest melodic hard rock band on the planet, I’m not, and never have been a massive fan, I think that their 1984 S/T debut album is by far the they have unleashed on the public, followed  by the breakthrough release that was Slippery When Wet. However my long-suffering Wife is a massive fan so I’ve been subjected to the remainder their albums many times and Between us we must have seen the band live on at least 15 occasions. Generally I’ve made the effort  because of the quality of support bands they have had over the years. Along the way I’ve seen the likes of FM, Dan Reed Network, Vixen, Skid Row, Europe, Billy Idol and even Van Halen opening for the New Jersey boys - can't complain then.

Unfortunately for the majority of their twenty odd year history I’ve found their album output sadly lacking, the last good album being Keep The Faith IMHO. In the intervening 15 years since this hit the streets Bon Jovi have given us 'These Days', which was depressing, Crush, which had had one outstanding track in the shape of 'Its My Life' and of course Bounce which was a grower thanks mainly to my wife constantly playing a bootleg of one of the launch concerts. The band then cocked up big time with 'This Left Feels Right (WRONG) and '100 Million Bon Jovi fans Can't Be Wrong',  the boxed set of unreleased material which proved that there was a good reason why it was unreleased. 

Any way that was then and this is now! 

'Have A Nice Day' is an extremely important album for the Bon Jovi boys as they attempt to justify the money and publicity sunk into the project from their record company and prove that, in melodic hard rock circles at least they are still the number one box office draw with major cross over appeal that they have been for the last two decades. The album opens with excellent title track, and lead off single 'Have A Nice Day, which is a great up-tempo rocker that fans of the band have been waiting for for a while and is not dissimilar in feel and mood to the aforementioned 'It’s My Life. Second track in is 'I Wanna Be Loved', which kicks off with a great riff and features that signature Bon Jovi voice box sound - think Living On A Prayer,  and features a great solo from guitarist Richie Sambora. 

Slipping into more familiar territory, at least in terms of recent Bon Jovi output is 'Welcome To Wherever You Are',  an acoustic lead semi ballad that could have come any of the later studio albums and then we have 'Who Says You Can't Go Home?' which reminds this reviewer of a rockier Del Amitri of all people - certaikly not bad, but certainly different for BJ.

Last Man Standing was included in its original form on the 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans box set and here shows itself in different colours, having been re-arranged into a more up-tempo and  heavier number and being the better for it. 'Bells Of Freedom' opens with a sound of bells (natch) and has an 'Always'/'This Ain’t A Love Song'  kind of vibe going on and then we get 'Wildflowers' which brings to mind Matchbox Twenty for some reason.

Last Cigarette is a great up tempo rocker once it gets going ,building slowly from an acoustic intro it includes a chorus that sounds somehat like a cross between Sum 41 and Busted (wash my mouth out) and features an almost slide solo before going all mellow just before the fade out! Now we all know JBJ has a penchant for 'The Boss' and this is once again in evidence throughout 'I Am' but incorportaes a very modern sounding guitar track and production values to compensate. Talking of Bon Jovi's allegiance with stadium selling superstars 'Complicated' is very much in the U2 vein when it opens up and then turns into an uncomplicated typical later period rocker, and continuing n the rockier feel we then get 'Novocaine', but in all honesty the song does little for this reviewer.

'Story Of My Life' is not a piano led ballad as that the intro mightsuggest, but is in fact an up tempo almost modern punk rocker with a chant a long chorus that I can see going down a storm live. 'Dirty Little Secret' is another rocker - bugger me 4 in row, this must be first for a few years on a Bon Jovi album. Rounding out 'Have A Nice Day' are 'Unbreakable' with its programmed drum beat and affected vocal which is a very modern sounding track and then fianlly 'These Open Arms' which is a typical Bon Jovi ballad 

In short, after numerous albums that have been under par from the Bon Jovi boys, 'Have A Nice Day' is a big return to form for the band and my only real gripe is that Ritchie Sambora, who has a far better voice than Jon Bon is criminally under used throughout the record. However credit were credit is due, Bon Jovi are one of the few MHR bands with a major label deal and who can still sell out stadiums across the world and 'Have A Nice Day', whilst not perhaps winning over the hoards of new fans that the band may want, will please long terms fans old and after my little downer on Bon Jovi at the beginning of this review is one  I must admit to liking.

Let us know your views on 'Have A Nice Day'

Track List

Have A Nice Day
I Wanna Be Loved
Welcome To Wherever You Are
Who Says You Can't Go Home?
Last Man Standing
Bells of freedom
Wildflowers
Last Cigarette
I Am
Complicated
Novocaine
Story Of My Life
Dirty Little Secret
Unbreakable
These Open Arms

Line Up

Jon Bon Jovi: Vocals
Richie Sambora: Guitar
David Bryan: Keyboards
Tico Torres: Drums
Hugh McDonald: Bass