Bon Jovi, 'The Circle'

Release date: November 10, 2009
Record label: Island
Official Web site: http://www.bonjovi.com/

The buzz: Bon Jovi went pop-country on 2007’s “Lost Highway,” and the record soared straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. “The Circle” finds the New Jersey act back in arena-rock mode, attempting a serious record that addresses the recession.

The verdict: Bad idea. This band, despite its superstar-veteran status, does not have the chops to compose songs that capture the anxiety and despair plaguing the unemployed, under-employed and those people who enter the office each day wondering if they’ll be greeted by a pink slip. In failing, the album smacks of opportunism. Silly lyrics and bloated production cripple would-be anthems like “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” “Brokenpromiseland” and “Work for the Working Man.” In terms of overall sound, “The Circle,” oddly, often apes U2: artificial atmospherics, echo-y drums, delayed and layered guitars, climatic choruses that cloyingly reach for the rafters—or heavens. One Bono is enough, Jon. And please, leave the working man stuff to fellow New Jersey native the Boss.

Did you know? John Shanks produced “The Circle.” He has also helmed recent recordings by Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus, making him maybe not the best guy to go to for your somber “recession record.”