Album Review — Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi — 2020

I thought I’d be doing this review back in May but the year 2020 had something to say about that. So instead, five months later, the album “2020” is finally out and I’ve had a few days to listen through it multiple times and really take it in.

I have to start by saying the last 20 years of Bon Jovi have been a bumpy ride for band and fans alike. The biggest bump was the firing/quitting of Richie Sambora. The band put out a country-influenced record, there have been questions about Jon’s voice and David Bryan has missed some national TV appearances with the band and contracted COVID.

Now the band has taken a risk by taking on multiple social issues of the day that is sure to rub some fans the wrong way. And if you are looking for a return to “Slippery When Wet”, you can forget about that. This is a different band in a different time and “2020” is a statement that Bon Jovi is still relevant.

The album starts with the driving “Limitless”. It’s not as heavy as a typical Bon Jovi opener (“Hey God”, “I Believe”) but it does remind us that Bon Jovi is a rock and roll band first and foremost. That U2 sounding guitar we heard on “The Circle” is back as well. It’s a solid opening track.

I’m sure you’ve heard “Do What You Can” by now. They have done the same thing as they did with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by bringing back Jennifer Nettles to duet. The album version does not feature Nettles but has that same country feel to it. It’s one of the two songs that were added to the record during the five month delay in the release and is written specifically about the pandemic. I don’t mind the song but not a favorite on the record.

The other song added late is “American Reckoning”. This one is written in response to the killing of George Floyd and the larger issue of police brutality and the protest response. It’s somber, as you would expect, and very well done. Bon Jovi takes on a difficult subject by asking questions and believing we can do better. It’s a haunting and beautiful song.

An upbeat rocker is needed and “Beautiful Drug” delivers. We even get a guitar solo. It’s crunchy and a little frenetic and it’s great. The band can still rock when it wants to.

“Story of Love” deals with the growing up of children to adulthood. It’s mostly acoustic but has enough to it to keep it from being a downer.

“Let It Rain” is that anthemic Bon Jovi song we’ve seen on just about every record over the last couple of decades. It’s a nice relief to hear an upbeat song of hope on such an emotionally heavy record. This sounds like Bon Jovi’s prayer for a post 2020 world.

And now it gets tough. “Lower The Flag” takes on America’s mass shooting epidemic. The more I listen to this record, the more I reminded of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising”. In the aftermath of 9/11, it was a critique but also a beacon of hope. “2020” feels like that to me. “Lower The Flag” is both a critique and a call to hope. Again, haunting and beautiful.

“Blood In The Water” sounds like two Bon Jovi songs put together in one. It reminds me of “Dry County” with a musical nod to “Always”. Maybe the best line on the record “The Devil’s greatest trick was just to say he wasn’t real”. If you liked the “Keep The Faith” record, you will dig this one.

Another much needed rocker, “Brothers In Arms”, is next. Like “Blood In The Water”, this one reminds me of something off of “Keep The Faith” but still dealing with today’s social issues.

The album ends with another difficult topic dealt with masterfully. “Unbroken” is a tribute to those that return from the battlefield trying to cope with coming home to a country that doesn’t appreciate them. When I first heard the song as a single outside of the context of the record, I wanted more from the song. I thought it was a missed opportunity to build into something more. But that’s the point. “2020” isn’t a finished piece. It’s not wrapped up with a bow. It’s hopeful but not certain of its future. It leaves you wanting more.

The band has left itself open to criticism with “2020”. It’s not as heavy as some would like. Some will say it’s too political. That the band should stick to rock and roll. Some are still missing Richie and want a reunion. Some will long for the days of Bon Jovi being a fun band and if they wanted to hear Springsteen or Dylan they would just listen to them.

And I do think about some of those things. Yes, there could have been another rocker or two. And yes, Jon has probably lost a few miles and hour off his fastball. And yes, I do miss Richie.

But 2020 is a different time and Bon Jovi is a different band. “2020” isn’t a perfect record, but it’s the perfect record for this year.

It’s haunting and it’s beautiful.

95 out of 100

Track Listing

1. Limitless *
2. Do What You Can
3. American Reckoning *
4. Beautiful Drug *
5. Story of Love
6. Let It Rain *
7. Lower the Flag *
8. Blood in the Water *
9. Brothers in Arms
10. Unbroken *

*Best Songs