If you noticed the header at the top it says “re-review”. I had reviewed this album when it was originally released back in 2016. My views on this album have changed quite a bit since that review so I thought I would do another one. My first take on the album was a 2.1 out of 5.0 Stars, so it was pretty bad. Is that still the case…we will see. Let’s get started.

Bon Jovi was now on their 14th studio album. This time around they were now on their new label Island Records after having a bitter divorce with their former label of 32 years, Mercury label. Funny thing is that both labels are owned by Universal Music Group, so technically still the same label…in my opinion at least. Their new album, ‘This House is Not For Sale’, was released on November 4, 2016 and sold 129,000 copies in the first week making it #1 for that week.

This was the first album with their two new official band members. Phil X is the new guitarist replacing Richie Sambora officially. And long standing bass player since 1994, Hugh McDonald, was finally promoted to official member. The band was back to being a 5 piece with Tico Torres, David Bryan and of course Jon Bon Jovi being the remaining members. John Shanks is still producer and does a lot of the rhythm guitar on the album. He brings nothing new to the table so not sure why they still use him. (He becomes an official member many years later).

The cover of the album was a photo by Jerry Uelsmann and is of a house that is deeply rooted in to the ground. Jon Bon Jovi saw this black & white photo a few years earlier and was really inspired by it. So much so that it became the artwork for the album and the inspiration for the title song.

The album we are reviewing is the original issue and I am using the vinyl copy. The album was re-released in 2018 with 2 new tracks and though both songs are good, we will not discuss them.

SIDE 1:

The title track, “This House is Not For Sale”, kicks off the album and was the lead single. The song is about the band’s integrity at the time. It was strong and solid. A song that Jon feels represents the band. Jon sticks to a pretty strong formula in the 2000’s kicking off his albums with a strong, inspiring anthemic rock song and this one is no different. It is really catchy with a strong hooky chorus and even a nice guitar solo. Even though it doesn’t sound like Richie, it sounds like Bon Jovi. A great start to the album.

“Living With A Ghost” is rather enjoyable even if I didn’t like this one at first. It grew on me.  A little laid back compared to the first song.  The guitar sound on this one is cool and light and has an overall good sound.  The theme of the song is about loss and he captures the essence of it with the tone of the song.

Next we get the electrically charged, “Knockout”. A song about about the struggle and fight between a man and his hopes. It is an anthemic, heavy and a total blast. Think “It’s My Life” and “Have A Nice Day” and you get the idea. I have to admit that even though Jon does these songs on every album, he does them well and I dig them immensely. Keep ’em coming is my thought.

“Labor of Love” is up next and there is a massive country twang. Well, more of like a “Blaze of Glory” album western twang. A ballad about love and relationships and how hard it is to make it work. I really disliked this one on my original review, but it has grown on me like this whole album has. It is a little too laid back at times, but there is a beauty to it as well. I think this time I’ll keep it.

The next track asks the question, if you went back in time, would you change anything? “Born Again Tomorrow” picks the energy back up and sees Tico pounding out a great beat. The chorus is huge and the layers of Jon vocal’s accompanying sound great. No Richie, so need those layers.

“Roller Coaster” is probably the coolest song on the album. The verses have a slow, swagger to them and that chorus explodes to a rocking good time. One of the biggest pluses to the song is those canon blast drum beats that Tico lays down in the chorus. A crucial part to the sound. An inspiring feel to the song as it sees Jon talk about the ups and downs in life and those low blows that come along the way. Might be my favorite track on the album.

SIDE 2:

Side 2 kicks off with the song “New Year’s Day” which is a song about the cohesion of the band. It is a new start with new members. Another uplifting song, great rhythm, an energetic chorus. The verses are a little lacking, lyrics are a little contrived, but it does have a good energy overall. It is growing on me. Also, has a nice guitar sound.

“The Devil’s in the Temple” is a song about Jon’s relationship with his old label. He takes us to church as Jon does like to get preachy. An interesting guitar sound, not what we expect Bon Jovi to sound like. A lot of anger in this song from Jon and I do like that. I deleted this one last time, but now it hangs on a thread…another song growing on me.

“Scars on My Guitar” is now the first track I don’t like in any way shape or form. A song about Jon’s guitar has no heart, no soul and is boring as it comes. Jon’s vocals have no life or emotion to them and musically it is as dull. Skip as fast as you can. This is no “My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms”.

There is one more shining moment…well at least a small glimmer. “God Bless This Mess” is really cheesy, but I love the energy and the hook on this does grab hold and stick to you. The song is about embracing the mess of you life and all the ups and downs and I agree with that thought. Our mess is what makes us who we are. An upbeat rocker that is nothing but fun. Yes, it sounds like so much over the last 16 years, but I like it nonetheless.

“Reunion” was inspired by Jon’s honorary doctorate he received from Rutgers. It is an mid-tempo track that is probably supposed to be inspiring and might be, but there is no real emotion to it for me. Mainly cheesy lyrics and a weak chorus that isn’t very inspiring.

The final track is “Come Up To Our House” and is about as dull as it comes. It is boring from start to finish and is pure filler. Heck, the bonus tracks and the new tracks from the re-issue are so much better. This could’ve been easily dropped and this album would’ve been better for it.

Track Listing:

1. This House is Not For Sale – Keeper
2. Living With The Ghost – Keeper
3. Knockout – Keeper
4. Labor Of Love – Keeper (1/2 Point)
5. Born Again Tomorrow – Keeper
6. Roller Coaster – Keeper
7. New Year’s Day – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. The Devil’s In The Temple – Keeper (1/2 Point)
9. Scars on This Guitar – Delete
10. God Bless This Mess – Keeper (1/2 Point)
11. Reunion – Delete
12. Come On Up To Our House – Delete

The Track Score is 7 out of 12 Tracks or 58%.  I wonder if listening to these studio albums back to back like I have for this series has softened my view on this one.  Going years between studio albums, I might have tended to focus on what was before. Now, I can hear the differences better and this one an improvement now more so than anything from “Lost Highway” to “What About Now”.  It is still not a great album, but it is better than I remember.  The first half of the album is really strong, 2nd half, not so much.  I do love the title track, but it is “Roller Coaster” and “Knockout” that I think help make this album better as those two tracks are awesome.  Not a great leap forward, but some shining moments.  My Overall Score is a 3.0 out of 5.0 Stars.  A little better than that 2.1 though from the first review.

NEXT UP: BON JOVI – ‘THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE – LIVE FROM THE LONDON PALLADIUM’ (2016)

THE BON JOVI COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set (2017)
2. Jon Bongiovi – The Power Station Sessions (1980-1983) (2001)
3. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi (1984)
4. Bon Jovi – Shot Through the Heart: Live in Cleveland, OH March 17, 1984 FM Broadcast (Bootleg)
5. Bon Jovi – “Burning For Love” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1984)
6. Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
7. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
8. Bon Jovi – “Borderline” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1986)
9. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
10. Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
11. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
12. Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1990)
13. Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1990)
14. Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
15. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
16. Bon Jovi – “Keep the Faith” – CD Maxi Single (1992)
17. Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single (1992)
18. Bon Jovi – Cross Road (1994)
19. Bon Jovi – “Please Come Home for Christmas” – CD Single (1994)
20. Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
21. Bon Jovi – Live From London – DVD (1995)
22. Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (1997)
23. Richie Sambora – Undiscovered Soul (1998)
24. Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
25. Bon Jovi – Live From Osaka E.P. (2000)
26. Bon Jovi – “Thank You For Loving Me” – CD Single (2000)
27. Bon Jovi – The Crush Tour – DVD (2000)
28. Bon Jovi – The Love Songs E.P. (Promo) (2001)
29. Bon Jovi – Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi (2001)
30. Bon Jovi – One Wild Night Live: 1985-2001 (2001)
31. Bon Jovi – Bounce (2002)
32. Bon Jovi – Unauthorized: Rock ‘n Roll Legends – Bootleg DVD (2002)
33. Bon Jovi – Target E.P. (2003)
34. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right (2003)
35. Bon Jovi – Wild in the Streets: Unauthorized – Bootleg DVD (2003)
36. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right – DVD (2004)
37. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Part 1) – (2004)
38. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 1, Part 2) – (2004)
39. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 2, Part 3) – (2004)
40. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 3, Part 4) – (2004)
41. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 4, Part 5) – (2004)
42. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 5 & 6, Part 6) – (2004)
43. Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
44. Bon Jovi – Live from the Have a Nice Day Tour (Walmart Exclusive) (2006)
45. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway (2007)
46. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway: The Concert (2007)
47. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009)
48. Bon Jovi – When We Were Beautiful Documentary DVD (2009)
49. Bon Jovi – Live at Madison Square Garden – DVD (2009)
50. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection (2009)
51. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection – DVD (2010)
52. Bon Jovi – Inside Out – DVD (2012)
53. Richie Sambora – Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
54. Bon Jovi – What About Now (2013)
55. Bon Jovi – Live E.P. (RSD – 2013)
56. Bon Jovi – Live 2 E.P. (RSD – 2014)
57. Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
58. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale (2016)
59. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale – Live From the London Palladium (2016)
60. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set – The Extra LP (2017)
61. RSO – Radio Free America (2018)
62. Bon Jovi – 2020 (2020)
63. Bon Jovi – Forever (2024)
64. Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – 7″ Single (2024)
65. Bon Jovi – 40th Anniversary Box Set (TBA – I Hope it is out by the time we get here)

We’ve reviewed a bunch of pieces already over the years and won’t review again. They are as follows:

1. Bon Jovi – The Brotherhood Tour Book (1988-1990)
2. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tourbook
3. Bon Jovi – The Rock History – Bootleg CD
4. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love A Bad Name” – 12″ Single
5. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love a Bad Name” – 7″ Single
6. Bon Jovi – Red Hot & 2 Parts Live E.P. – 12″ Single
7. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – 7″ Single
8. Bon Jovi – “Bad Medicine” – 7″ Single
9. Bon Jovi – “Born to Be My Baby” – 7″ Single
10. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – 7″ Single
11. Bon Jovi – “Lay Your Hands on Me” – 7″ Single
12. Bon Jovi – “Living in Sin” – 7″ Single