Bon Jovi’s These Days was the first album Rob ever fell in love with, and three decades later he’s convinced that this grunge-influenced left turn would be hailed as a masterpiece today had it been made by any other band.
Which is why, ahead of These Days’ 30th anniversary, Rob insisted his long-lost brother needed to hear it. Will the prog-loving poodle rock-adverse Dave fall for Bon Jovi’s uncharacteristically angsty, mid-90s masterpiece, or laugh it back to the footnotes of given-up glam metal lore?
Also, how much of this album was really down to MIA guitarist Richie Sambora, and what’s the deal with Jon Bon Jovi’s beleaguered voice today?
Notes and references
Rob’s largely positive 2011 live review: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/255317/Review-Bon-Jovi-at-Hard-Rock-Calling
Rob’s not very positive 2015 review: https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/review-bon-jovi-fails-to-hit-the-high-notes-at-abu-dhabi-concert-1.85326
Rob shitting on Burning Bridges: https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/album-review-burning-bridges-bon-jovi-1.46827
Rob on seeing the band for a fifth time: https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/wild-night-for-bon-jovi-fans-in-abu-dhabi-1.131995
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.