Bon-Jovi-Burning-Bridges-Album-CoverYou should always approach albums released by bands to fulfill contractual obligations with extreme caution. Bon Jovi’s thirteenth studio album, ‘Burning Bridges’, is no different.

Whilst it may not be as spectacular as Van Morrison’s late ‘60s exit album from Bang Records – 31 songs clocking in at 35 minutes, with Van singing his lunch order on Want A Danish? and accusing the label owners of having Ring Worm – Bon Jovi at least have the decency to tune their instruments before slating their former masters. Aside from being in tune, ‘Burning Bridges’ has little more to offer. It’s a collection of unfinished songs that the band didn’t want released, and it’s easy to see why.

‘Burning Bridges ‘is the sound of a band struggling to find its feet after the loss of their lead guitarist, Richie Sambora. This is the sound of a work in progress that was never intended to be aired in public. Only A Teardrop To The Sea and We Don’t Run approach the polished sheen you’d expect from one of the biggest radio bands of all time.

A sombre lo-fi sound permeates much of the album, with slow-burning ballad after slow-burning ballad screaming out for a prominent string section or a guitar solo to lift them out of professional demo tape territory. While none of the material has a wow factor, there are potentially hits buried under the weight of meek production. But, Bon Jovi is capable of so much more than what’s present here.

Indeed the band is already working on this album’s follow up. When Jon Bon Jovi finally hangs up his cowboy boots and reflects on his career, he won’t lose too much sleep over the material assembled here. ‘Burning Bridges’ is for completists only and even they’ll be disappointed.