It would seem that even a monthly post is getting impossible for me these days. I don't know what to say. Crazy life. Not in a good way. Well most days. Some days can still be pretty amazing, even if those days come so rare and feel like seconds not days. Cherish the good moments you guys, they're so far and few in between and over way too soon. But I suppose that's what makes them more precious. If life was all good all the time we wouldn't be able to appreciate the good times. ''Some days they feel like razor blades, some days, they taste like lemonade''.
But the news that hit the other day was anything but lemonade. Could be any other day, but no, the news breaks on the same day as the anniversary of My chemical romance breaking up. If you know me, you know that's one thing, the one band I'm never getting over. So on the same day the SPN family gets hit hard ''Season 15 of Supernatural is the last season''. How dare you stab me in the heart like that? It's like, my eyes aren't sweating, I'm not crying, I am just crying my fucking eyes out. Don't give me that ''it's just a show'' crap because so help me Odin I will kick your ass back to Jötunheimr you limp noodle. Supernatural was always more than ''just'' a show. It was a family. It's a constant I had for 14 years now. When everything was wrong and I do mean everything because let's face it, 90% of the time everything in my life is in fact wrong, Supernatural was there, to make it better, to cheer me up, to make me feel less alone, to make me realise it's okay to struggle, it's okay to be different, it's okay to not fit in... It's hard to understand when you're not a part of it. The fan base. The family. It's going to be impossibly hard to actually say goodbye. Shows come and go, and I know the SPN family will remain just that (come on guys, we all know we'll just end up binge re watching the show right?) but things will never be the same again, this is the end of an era, an end of a huge part of my life, of our lives and hell I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye just yet.
''Carry on my wayward son for there'll be peace when you are done, lay your weary head to rest, don't you cry no more.''
So to keep my mind of all the darkness that's haunting it, here I am back to one of the things I used to think I was good at anyways. Album reviews...
Taking another stab at Bon Jovi, or actually Jon Bon Jovi since this is in fact a solo album. Maybe not the best time for this review since I am still ''licking my wounds'', after that last album that was a complete disaster, Richie Sambora leaving and don't give me that ''they got Phil now'' crap, because Phil never was and never will be an equal member and I'm quite certain that the last album is shit because of his imput. Let me put it this way, even if you can't compare bands at all, but can you imagine The Rolling Stones without Keith Richards? Guns n' roses without Slash? We all know how that ended coughcrapcough...so why should and I mean music ''pussy rock'' quality aside Bon Jovi be any different? My god New Jersey, Slippery when wet, Have a nice day, Lost highway, What about now,..all amazing albums, and then Phil came along and we get ''This house is not for sale''? Gross.
So I'm even not that devastated over the INSANE ticket prices to be honest, because I don't even really want to go...but seriously Jon? 150 euros a ticket? Have you lost your mind? Even Bruce Springsteen isn't that expensive and he is THE BOSS and on a musical level you can only dream of.
Don't get me wrong though, I still love the band, I still love the music, I still listen to it all the time, I'm just stating that recent ''events'' in the band are really over the top and not to my liking at all. For which btw I got the nickname ''fake fan'' by crazy middle aged housewives. It's amazing how these women behave. I mean in their shoes I'd be hella embarrassed. You're only as old as you feel, but jesus christ at 50+ you really are too old to behave like crazy teenagers.
What is a real fan anyways? How do you determine a real fan? What makes a fan a fan? I wouldn't say someone that is sickeningly obsessed with a musician, an actor, a celeb of any kind, prepared to defend them till their last dying breath, hating every other fan for speaking their mind and voicing an opinion that happens to be different from theirs is a real fan. No. I think a ''real fan'' is a fan that is capable of admitting when they don't like something their ''babies'' do, capable of pointing out their ''mistakes'', we're all only human aren't we? A ''real fan'' respects other fans. Only love towards the same thing, person, music, is what brought us together, so why should that be the thing that also tears us apart because we can't see eye to eye?
Should we start with the song ''Blaze of glory''? I hate it. Absolutely hate it. I don't know what it is, the sound, the music, the lyrics. I don't know. Something rubs me the wrong way and I literally turn down the radio when I hear it. Even though as a debut solo single it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (why though?) and also number one on Billboard Album rock tracks chart.
Did you hear it was written on a napkin? I think it would be better if that napkin was used and then tossed away. Allegedly though the song was recorded because a man named Emilio Estevez requested the song ''Wanted dead or alive'' (which btw has that same vibe and sound and I also am not a huge fan of) for the soundtrack of the movie Young Guns II but Bon Jovi didn't think that the song fits in a Western because after all the lyrics are about a touring band. Unless of course I completely misunderstood the point and meaning of a ''steel horse''.
You know what's just wild? I get shit for also not liking this song. ''How dare you! It's one of the best Bon Jovi songs!'' etc...well see that's just funny, given that this song is not a Bon Jovi song at all. It was never released as a band single, and it's actually notable purely because Jeff Beck plays guitar on it. Who the hell is the crazy one here?
I guess this album gives me this ''desparate'' attempt at being a rockstar or a rock legend vibe. It feels like some sort of a shot at Bob Dylan's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and the fourth song on side A ''Blood Money'' is actually dedicated to Dylan. Sometimes I wonder if a cover of ''Knockin' on Heaven's door'' wouldn't be a better option as Blood Money because let's be honest, he sang Knockin on Heavens door and it sounded rather amazing and Blood Money is just, meh.
Of course let's not forget the stunt he pulled on this one, just like Roy Orbison he invites lots of famous musicians to join him. Little Richard, Elton John, Jeff Beck,...and generally I think it paid off, the whole Blaze of glory aside, he album is quite okay, well some lines like the ones about lonely jukebox are rather dumb, but then there's some really nice melodies, solos, harmonies if you will.
The album actually begins with a tiny bit of dialogue where ''Billy'' says ''I'll make ya famous'' and after the song Billi get your guns begins. It's not a song like Bon Jovi usually put out at all but it's still really cool. A rock n roll sound and if you pay attention to Jon's voice, then you'll understand what I miss so much these days. That sounds almost like a different singer. Strong, confident, powerful, as opposed to the sound we get today. I miss the old Bon Jovi to be honest. Btw, Jeff's solo on this one is badass.
Now critics aside, let me comment on something I actually LOVE on this album. The song Miracle. HAVE you seen the music video? The hair! The bikes! I'm dead. So perfect all of it. Miracle is a power ballad obviously, but the whole vibe of it and the accordion give it a different feel than regular Bon Jovi ballads. It's a beautiful song, Jon wrote it all on his own (props) and it really reminds you that he does (or at least did) have a very strong and powerful voice. A voice capable of making one a rock legend. Which clearly he is despite the fact that some of his rock reminds me more of ''bubblegum pop''. Is like pop metal a thing? If they were ''metals'' back in the 80's (what kinda weird world was that, Bon Jovi metal? I may roll over on the floor laughing my behind off) and now they're....whatever they are...pop metal or metal pop could be just the term for them.
I actually got the term ''pussy rock'' or ''Kuschel rock'' from a friend of mine that lives in Berlin. He couldn't stand the idea of ''tough Nikki'' that grew up on Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses, the baddest of bad, actually liking Bon Jovi. When I told him I'm going to see them live, gosh when was it, 2010 or 2011, he nearly died laughing. Quite literally. But come on, even tough girls like romance every now and then. And Bon Jovi are just that, hopless romantic, with a pinch of politics and life thrown in between.
Well to put it simply, I think that this album is more Jon having a great time pretending he's a cowboy and the rest of us are just along for the ride. But the ride gets boring after a song or two. I'll tell you what though it has one hell of a cover and inner sleeve art. Sure makes me feel a bit hotter under my collar.
At the end of the day, if you're an obsessed fan like I am, most of the time, or I used to be at least, then you'll like this album and will definatelly want it in your collection, else just get a single vinyl of ''Miracle'' which I hear includes a huge poster. Hell, I'm gonna go hunting for that one right now because honestly, I'm desparate enough for a good poster of young Jon to tape that inner sleeve on my wall if I didn't think that that is utter criminal.
Alright guys, cheers, look after one another till my next post, exams are coming up, final exams before my degree, which is not even in scraps yet. Wish me luck, I'll need it.
''You're looking for salvation, you thought that it'd be shining like an angel's light, well, the angels left this nation and salvation caught the last train out tonight. He lost a hell of a fight.''
Taking another stab at Bon Jovi, or actually Jon Bon Jovi since this is in fact a solo album. Maybe not the best time for this review since I am still ''licking my wounds'', after that last album that was a complete disaster, Richie Sambora leaving and don't give me that ''they got Phil now'' crap, because Phil never was and never will be an equal member and I'm quite certain that the last album is shit because of his imput. Let me put it this way, even if you can't compare bands at all, but can you imagine The Rolling Stones without Keith Richards? Guns n' roses without Slash? We all know how that ended coughcrapcough...so why should and I mean music ''pussy rock'' quality aside Bon Jovi be any different? My god New Jersey, Slippery when wet, Have a nice day, Lost highway, What about now,..all amazing albums, and then Phil came along and we get ''This house is not for sale''? Gross.
So I'm even not that devastated over the INSANE ticket prices to be honest, because I don't even really want to go...but seriously Jon? 150 euros a ticket? Have you lost your mind? Even Bruce Springsteen isn't that expensive and he is THE BOSS and on a musical level you can only dream of.
Don't get me wrong though, I still love the band, I still love the music, I still listen to it all the time, I'm just stating that recent ''events'' in the band are really over the top and not to my liking at all. For which btw I got the nickname ''fake fan'' by crazy middle aged housewives. It's amazing how these women behave. I mean in their shoes I'd be hella embarrassed. You're only as old as you feel, but jesus christ at 50+ you really are too old to behave like crazy teenagers.
What is a real fan anyways? How do you determine a real fan? What makes a fan a fan? I wouldn't say someone that is sickeningly obsessed with a musician, an actor, a celeb of any kind, prepared to defend them till their last dying breath, hating every other fan for speaking their mind and voicing an opinion that happens to be different from theirs is a real fan. No. I think a ''real fan'' is a fan that is capable of admitting when they don't like something their ''babies'' do, capable of pointing out their ''mistakes'', we're all only human aren't we? A ''real fan'' respects other fans. Only love towards the same thing, person, music, is what brought us together, so why should that be the thing that also tears us apart because we can't see eye to eye?
Should we start with the song ''Blaze of glory''? I hate it. Absolutely hate it. I don't know what it is, the sound, the music, the lyrics. I don't know. Something rubs me the wrong way and I literally turn down the radio when I hear it. Even though as a debut solo single it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (why though?) and also number one on Billboard Album rock tracks chart.
Did you hear it was written on a napkin? I think it would be better if that napkin was used and then tossed away. Allegedly though the song was recorded because a man named Emilio Estevez requested the song ''Wanted dead or alive'' (which btw has that same vibe and sound and I also am not a huge fan of) for the soundtrack of the movie Young Guns II but Bon Jovi didn't think that the song fits in a Western because after all the lyrics are about a touring band. Unless of course I completely misunderstood the point and meaning of a ''steel horse''.
You know what's just wild? I get shit for also not liking this song. ''How dare you! It's one of the best Bon Jovi songs!'' etc...well see that's just funny, given that this song is not a Bon Jovi song at all. It was never released as a band single, and it's actually notable purely because Jeff Beck plays guitar on it. Who the hell is the crazy one here?
I guess this album gives me this ''desparate'' attempt at being a rockstar or a rock legend vibe. It feels like some sort of a shot at Bob Dylan's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and the fourth song on side A ''Blood Money'' is actually dedicated to Dylan. Sometimes I wonder if a cover of ''Knockin' on Heaven's door'' wouldn't be a better option as Blood Money because let's be honest, he sang Knockin on Heavens door and it sounded rather amazing and Blood Money is just, meh.
Of course let's not forget the stunt he pulled on this one, just like Roy Orbison he invites lots of famous musicians to join him. Little Richard, Elton John, Jeff Beck,...and generally I think it paid off, the whole Blaze of glory aside, he album is quite okay, well some lines like the ones about lonely jukebox are rather dumb, but then there's some really nice melodies, solos, harmonies if you will.
The album actually begins with a tiny bit of dialogue where ''Billy'' says ''I'll make ya famous'' and after the song Billi get your guns begins. It's not a song like Bon Jovi usually put out at all but it's still really cool. A rock n roll sound and if you pay attention to Jon's voice, then you'll understand what I miss so much these days. That sounds almost like a different singer. Strong, confident, powerful, as opposed to the sound we get today. I miss the old Bon Jovi to be honest. Btw, Jeff's solo on this one is badass.
Now critics aside, let me comment on something I actually LOVE on this album. The song Miracle. HAVE you seen the music video? The hair! The bikes! I'm dead. So perfect all of it. Miracle is a power ballad obviously, but the whole vibe of it and the accordion give it a different feel than regular Bon Jovi ballads. It's a beautiful song, Jon wrote it all on his own (props) and it really reminds you that he does (or at least did) have a very strong and powerful voice. A voice capable of making one a rock legend. Which clearly he is despite the fact that some of his rock reminds me more of ''bubblegum pop''. Is like pop metal a thing? If they were ''metals'' back in the 80's (what kinda weird world was that, Bon Jovi metal? I may roll over on the floor laughing my behind off) and now they're....whatever they are...pop metal or metal pop could be just the term for them.
I actually got the term ''pussy rock'' or ''Kuschel rock'' from a friend of mine that lives in Berlin. He couldn't stand the idea of ''tough Nikki'' that grew up on Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses, the baddest of bad, actually liking Bon Jovi. When I told him I'm going to see them live, gosh when was it, 2010 or 2011, he nearly died laughing. Quite literally. But come on, even tough girls like romance every now and then. And Bon Jovi are just that, hopless romantic, with a pinch of politics and life thrown in between.
Well to put it simply, I think that this album is more Jon having a great time pretending he's a cowboy and the rest of us are just along for the ride. But the ride gets boring after a song or two. I'll tell you what though it has one hell of a cover and inner sleeve art. Sure makes me feel a bit hotter under my collar.
At the end of the day, if you're an obsessed fan like I am, most of the time, or I used to be at least, then you'll like this album and will definatelly want it in your collection, else just get a single vinyl of ''Miracle'' which I hear includes a huge poster. Hell, I'm gonna go hunting for that one right now because honestly, I'm desparate enough for a good poster of young Jon to tape that inner sleeve on my wall if I didn't think that that is utter criminal.
Alright guys, cheers, look after one another till my next post, exams are coming up, final exams before my degree, which is not even in scraps yet. Wish me luck, I'll need it.
''You're looking for salvation, you thought that it'd be shining like an angel's light, well, the angels left this nation and salvation caught the last train out tonight. He lost a hell of a fight.''
