Forever

Forever, delivered at the memorable milestone of the band’s 40th anniversary, is a work foregrounding Bon Jovi’s openness and a viewpoint that powerfully affirms life. While centered on hummable melody and big choruses, rather than merely tracing past success, it carefully builds positive, warm songs from the present standpoint after long years. A record full of the sure dignity and mature appeal particular to veterans. From the powerful drive of the opener “Legendary” to the drama of “Living Proof,” the songs keep rock’s sure energy yet their expression is more intimate and soft, while cuts like “We Made It Look Easy,” “Waves” and “Seeds” convey the work’s fullness. It is striking that a band that knows the great lift of stadium scale inside out deliberately does not rely on flashiness alone. A frank, sure strength that powerfully lifts small daily emotions into a widely open scale is this album’s great highlight. Even after a long, 40-year career, its creative drive and rich melodic sense have not dimmed in the least. Jon Bon Jovi’s mature voice resounds warmly throughout. Fitting for the 40th anniversary, it is a powerful, positive, fulfilling work by Bon Jovi.