Bon Jovi travel back in time on their new album The Circle. This is the band's 11th studio album and heralds a return to their roots of straight-up rock. The band takes a leaf out of Bruce Springsteen's playbook with a number of songs about the hard times and trials of the working man.
The album uses the tough economic times as its theme - but it's hard to see how the members of a band which has sold tens of millions of CDs can relate to the common man. Still, ignore the inconsistencies and focus on the music, which is outstanding.
The album kicks off with We Weren't Born To Follow, a solid anthem with head-bopping potential and a sing-along-able hook.
It's followed by When We Were Beautiful, a heartfelt ballad that slows things down between uptempo tracks.
Work for the Working Man will please hardcore Bon Jovi fans. The bass line is almost identical to the band's greatest hit, Livin On A Prayer, and the song has that classic Bon Jovi sound. There's a rousing chorus that will soon be heard in school halls, bars and showers everywhere.
Bon Jovi fans will love this album.