Have a Nice Day by Bon Jovi (CD, Sep-2005, Island)

Bon Jovi has never been more busy than in the millenium. "Have A Nice Day" is the band's fifth album since 2000 (not including their 4-discs boxset), and marks a departure in their sound and style, making this album very close to latest influences.
Considering the album as a LP, you have A-side with six Bon Jovi traditionnal tracks : a pop anthem ("Who Says You can't Go Home"), two ballads ("Welcome To Wherever You Are" and "Bells Of Freedom" featuring Desmond Child as co-writer), an instant BJ classic ("have A Nice Day"), a darker "grunge" song ("I Want To Be Loved") and a reworked version of a 2003 song, "Last man Standing", where Jon Bon Jovi is desperatly looking for the new Bob Dylan to appear...
The B-side has only rockers but "Wildflowers", a mid-tempo song dedicated to Jon's wife. With track 8, sound becomes more 2005 than with the first seven songs. And it goes like this until track 12 closing the regular edition (the Japan edition has three more tracks, including the heavy electronic anthem "Unbreakable", the soft and charming ballad "These Open Arms" and the rocker "Dirty Little Secret"). These songs from track 8 to 12 show a modern Bon Jovi, mostly "Novocaine" (about David Bryan's divorce) and "Complicated", where the band explores new grounds. Modern doesn't mean you can't recognize the band you liked : "Story Of My Life" has Jon's writing all over with an upbeat rythm, "I Am" is more traditionnal while "Last Cigarette" melts new influences to Bon Jovi's style. Sound and effects are very well done and the record seems even over-produced sometimes.
This album could have been very different : after recording it in 2004 and after staying awhile from a good time, Jon Bon Jovi said he didn't like too much few things : he changed lyrics to certain songs, meaning new recordings. He also wanted to add songs that were written the old way : few ones were written too fast with smalls developed ideas. The band went in studio to record four new songs and four others were taken out the final track listing of "Have A Nice Day", including the Japan bonuses, while the song "Nothing" was given to Bo Bice.
The song"Have A nice Day" was also reworked and 100% re-recorded. The acoustic bridge disappeared, verses lines changed, so did solo, many voices were added on the chorus...
The US version has a bonus that went #1 on Billboard's country charts : "Who Says You can't Go Home" featuring a duet with Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. The original version (track 4) was released as a single in Europe, while the US had that duet, making Bon Jovi the only rock band having a #1 hit on country charts!!

Anyway, this album is not the best the band did : half the record is good for B-sides but not for a real chart breaker. Feels like the band had fillers in their pocket and no ideas to write anthems. The modern production is also parting ways with a more traditionnal sound the band used to have. The new influences are not bringing too much good ideas. Few tracks will survive in the heart of fans but this album won't stay long in their memories.

"Have A Nice Day" went #2 on the Billboard's TOP 200, sold well, but is it the most important? Where is the Bon jovi we used to love?

The last band standing, no one does it better. Richie Sambora is the most underrated guitarist of all time, David Bryan is the best keyboard player of all time, Tico torres is the coolest drummer ever, and Jon Bon Jovi has a voice that won't quit. This whole cd is good old rock and roll. From songs that sound like the 70's to ones that sound like punk rock, they have songs that sound modern like todays music, and it all still sounds very much like the Bon Jovi we know and love. Their four cd's from the 1980's could be played all the way without skipping a song, and this one is no exception. There is a reason this band is still selling out shows around the globe. Best songs are, I Want To Be Loved, Last Man Standing, I Am, and Novocaine

Big Huge Fan of Bon Jovi, And it was about time they came out with a BRAND NEW CD.. instead of redoing the old stuff.. Don't get me wrong I love the old stuff but this CD is off the charts..

Its got hits like the title Track to the Cd "Have a nice Day" then it has the latest chart topper "Who says you can't go home" One version is with Just the guys then there is another one with Jennifer Nettles she the lead singer to(SUGERLAND) the silly song of "Novacaine" to the up beat song of "Last Cigarette"
This Cd is enjoyment to have in your Cd Collection

Another excellent album! For those longtime Bon Jovi fans, the first track (Have a Nice Day) sounds a lot like the old classic Bon Jovi. Also, the song Last Man Standing reminds me a lot of Juke Box Hero (for you Foreigner fans).
And for those that like songs with deeper meanings, Welcome to Wherever You Are is bound to be a classic for all that actually listen through the lyrics.
Overall a great buy. I've had it in my car stereo for the last 2 weeks straight.

Definitely a sweet pick up because I've ALWAYS loved Bon Jovi's music and his duet with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles on "Who Says You Can't Go Home" was incredible! I really like the mix or country and rock too. They come off VERY well together!