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Music review: Bon Jovi ëƵ ëƵThis House Is Not for SaleëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 2 min read
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If every picture tells a story, then the cover of Bon JoviëƵs latest album speaks volumes about the bandëƵs legacy.

ëƵThis House Is Not for SaleëƵ is the New Jersey rockerëƵs 14th studio release and the first without guitarist Richie Sambora. The new material finds the band focused and inspired with infectious arrangements that possess the rock spirit that made Bon Jovi one of the biggest rock bands of the 1980s with tracks like ëƵRunaway,ëƵ ëƵShot Through the Heart,ëƵ ëƵIn and Out of Love,ëƵ ëƵYou Give Love a Bad Name,ëƵ ëƵLivinëƵ on a Prayer,ëƵ ëƵWanted Dead or AliveëƵ and ëƵBad Medicine.ëƵ

These rock classics, enhanced by the music video revolution unleashed by MTV, helped fuel the soundtrack of my college years with a plentiful bounty of sweeping guitar chords and catchy sing-along choruses that made for some memorable Friday and Saturday nights.

The title track is a rousing rocker about integrity and staying true to yourself with Jon Bon Jovi declaring, ëƵThis house was built on trust/ThatëƵs what it is and always was/No wrecking ball could knock it down/This house was built on higher ground.ëƵ The charismatic frontman goes on to describe the blood, sweat and tears heëƵs poured into the band over the last 30 years singing, ëƵI set each stone and I hammered each nail/This house is not for sale/Where memories live and the dream donëƵt fail/This house is not for sale.ëƵ

Songs such as ëƵLabor of Love,ëƵ ëƵBorn Again TomorrowëƵ and ëƵRollercoasterëƵ are engaging reflections on navigating life and a career in the music industry.

ëƵI got some blood under my nails/I got some mud on my face,ëƵ confesses Bon Jovi on ëƵGod Bless This MessëƵ as it highlights the hard work, determination, acceptance and perseverance needed to stay the course.

The fighting spirit featured on the anthem ëƵKnockoutëƵ is delivered with steady punches of grit and flowing sweat as Bon Jovi announces, ëƵHere comes the knockout/My time is right now/Turning your lights out/IëƵm throwing down.ëƵ

The house of music that has been built by Bon Jovi is firmly centered on a strong foundation of rock (and roll) and will certainly stand the test of time.

Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

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