SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 46:08 Min.
Released by Ocean Records, after a five-month delay, Bon Jovi’s fifteenth studio album was released in October 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Track # 10 (“Unbroken”) was 2020’s first single released in late 2019 – nearly before a year before the album’s actual release. The planned tour was subsequently canceled due to the pandemic.
The album itself contemplates a number of American social topics, including the pandemic; George Floyd’s murder, mass shootings, police brutality, and justice reformation; parenthood; migration; PTSD affecting veterans; political animosity; and a need to steel oneself with inner strength and resiliency for the future. The standard-issue version consists of these ten tracks:
- Limitless (3:41)
- Do What You Can (4:19)
- American Reckoning (4:41)
- Beautiful Drug (3:48)
- Story of Love (5:49)
- Let It Rain (4:39)
- Lower The Flag (4:55)
- Blood in the Water (5:57)
- Brothers In Arms (4:12)
- Unbroken (6:07)
Note: The album’s digital version includes three additional tracks. Track # 11 is an alternate version of “Do What You Can” featuring Jennifer Nettles. Track # 12 is entitled “Shine;” and the 13th track is entitled “Luv Can.”
REVIEW:
Tinged with undercurrents of Contemporary Country, Bon Jovi’s 2020 pursues a socially conscious creative direction associated with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and U2. More akin to a pep rally than a sermon, 2020’s outcome, unfortunately, is a mixed bag. At best, the album sounds merely okay, as its identity struggles balancing social commentary with a radio-friendly presence.
All good intentions aside, Bon Jovi’s tracks try too hard pushing an upbeat patriotic attitude, in spite of recent heartbreaking tragedies and ongoing uncertainty. If deemed a rock time capsule for the pandemic era, 2020’s reflections on bleak reality often segues into generic, if not excessive, sentimentality.
2020’s poignancy often comes off as more superficial than what the band evidently intended. Track # 4 (“Beautiful Drug”), for instance, drones about the analogy of love as a fulfilling drug addiction making it likely the album’s worst inclusion. As with other tracks, one can readily grasp 2020’s need to balance a sense of political relevancy and marketability at the time of its release. Still, socially ruminating content in the 21st Century isn’t Jon Bon Jovi’s forte, as compared to his downloadable hair metal prime.
2020, therefore, doesn’t rise to join Bon Jovi’s best works, as a single listening proves sufficient.
PACKAGING:
The case lists all ten tracks, but their running times are not included. The insert booklet includes lyrics for all ten tracks; black-and-white images of the band; thank-you notes; and production credits.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
