Bon Jovi - Keep The Faith

To me it epitomized their long standing discography, i'm pretty sure if Jon and the boys packed it in after what was a career destroying album and tour nightmare that was the New Jersey syndicate tour they would've been as disappointed as Poison or Guns'N'Roses.
But what Jon done is now history and there is plenty to be read and watched about how that all came about but it really reflects what this album was about.
It wasn't about god or disenfranchise it was about hope, belief and even a re-incarnation and changing of the times. A maturity not just as men but as songwriters and musicians being in group of brothers.
I know that Bon Jovi cop a lot of flack for being adult contemporary and safe, I know that Jon cops a lot of flack because he did eventually succumb to the music industry machine he had defied but that's for another time.
Keep The Faith stands out for me because obviously i'm a fan of their music but it still stands up today with other albums of that era like Metallica, Ten, Nevermind and Achtung Baby. All great ROCK albums with a story within themselves where you get to peel back the layers and feel what the musicians feel.

Starting off with the thumping 'I Believe' my very first experience with this song was at an old arcade centre in Hurstville, Sydney called Intencity where in the centre they played MTV or something and this was playing. At the time I was just getting into 'These Days' and knew they had other material but wasn't familiar with this track. This track alone is what prompted me to buy 'Keep The Faith', FACT.

The title track has always been a live staple for the band but I ultimately miss Jon's epic jungle renditions which unfortunately with age he can no longer perform.

'Sleep When I'm Dead' has always been that cliche cheap kinda party rocker KISS rip off but it's fun and vibrant and always goes down well with a jukebox medley in concert, it just oozes nostalgia.

The ballads of 'In These Arms' & 'Bed Of Roses' absolutely compliment each other and was and absolute masterstroke in musicianship between Jon and co.

Then you get a kick in the face with which at the time I believe is probly their heaviest track in 'If I Was Your Mother'. Slated for release and even has a promo video for but was shelved at the last minute, would've been very interesting release.

Then the long Young Guns inspired nine minute long epic 'Dry County' an absolute beaut of a track with so many musical layers which convinced me that Bon Jovi were not just some safe adult contemporary act.
Tico's drumming is absolutely off the charts on this track and Sambora is just in the zone, a lyrical masterpiece.

Then there's a short burst of quick fun rocky tracks in 'Woman In Love' and 'Fear' and it feels like the best has gone but it really is just a respite.

'I Want You' was the first song I loved from Bon Jovi even though at the time I was exposed to 'These Days' material after picking up KTF this track shone brightest and has for the duration of their time, picking my utmost favorite from such an extensive catalog is extremely hard but it's up their still if not the best.

Then you get some light refreshment in bar rocker 'Blame It On The Love Of Rock & Roll' like 'Sleep When I'm Dead' it's fun and nostalgic and fits perfectly on the album giving you the second wind for the climax.

Which brings you into ultra funky 'Little Bit Of Soul' another bar rocker of sorts but it's cheeky and is asking the listener to join and sing along.
Probly one of my favorite live tracks (when they do it) which I compare to 'Love For Sale' off New Jersey.

Finally we get to a futuristic sombre serious finally in 'Save A Prayer' where Jon is saying to the listener take my hand because everything's gonna be alright, thanks for coming on the journey with me and be sure that Bon Jovi is back baby!

Highlights

Bed Of Roses
Dry County
I Want You

65/78