Bon Jovi – ‘This Left Feels Right’ (2003) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

Once the ‘Bounce’ Tour was complete, the band was ready to do a side-project. It was originally supposed to be an acoustic album of all their hits, but someone thought why not re-imagine the hits so the band re-recorded and re-constructed numerous Bon Jovi classics in to what became known as ‘This Left Feels Right’…but does it??? The album was released on November 3, 2003 and charted at #14 in the U.S. but did much better in Europe like most of their albums did. They sold over 500,000 copies in Europe, but I have no sales figures in the U.S. I know a lot of people that did not buy this album and we will soon see why.

The band had written two new songs for this project, but Jon and Company decided to drop them as one of the songs he felt didn’t send the right message to up and coming artists. The song in question was “Last Man Standing” which had Jon singing about his anger towards the music industry. The song did see the light of day as it was re-worked for the ‘Have a Nice Day’ album. The original wound up on the box set ‘100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong’ along with the other new song “Thief of Hearts”. Okay, let’s get right to this painful journey…I guess that gives away a little of how I feel about this one. Oh well…

The album opens with the classic “Wanted Dead or Alive”. It still has an acoustic feel to it, but there is a loud electronica sound bass and a horrible ass electronic drum beat that grates on my last nerve. The backing vocals are more gang style and not just Richie’s backing vocals and it is awful. Richie’s backing vocals made this song and they destroyed it by removing him. If this would’ve been the original version, the band would’ve faded away into oblivion never to be heard from again. It is simply awful.

Then we get a re-imagining of “Livin’ on a Prayer” and turned it in to a duet with British singer and actress Olivia d’Abo and you know, I’m okay with this one. Her voice is pretty good, not angelic sounding, a little roughness to it and that works well with Jon. Musically, it is slowed down a little, more acoustic and not dramatically different. By changing it to a duet, I’ll let this one get a passing grade as not a bad idea to do it this way.

Next up is “Bad Medicine” and I’m not sure what I’m listening to. The upbeat, rock anthem is stripped down to a sluggish attempt at Jon trying to sound gruff and whiskey voiced, but it comes across as forced and what the hell is up with that guitar. It sounds a little country. It is basically unlistenable as I feel my ears about to explode…wait…is that blood?? I’m going to need a doctor to cure this disease.

“It’s My Life” gets an acoustic twist to it. Being a newer song, I haven’t lived with it as much so I’m not as invested if it gets changed up. But this is really just taking the original and slowing it down acoustically. And I will say it is a really great version of the song. It feels more introspective and heartfelt.

“Lay Your Hands On Me” also gets an acoustic vibe to it, but rather than slow it down it seems a little peppy. Jon approached the vocals a little different and it is hard to take. The chorus has more gang vocals that are very different than the original. It is a little corny in my opinion. This isn’t a terrible version, the problem with it is it is rather dull and lifeless and this song was definitely not that originally.

Then things go all soulful and bluesy as they turn “You Give Love A Bad Name” into a horrendous blues version. I don’t even know where to begin with how bad this is. Bon Jovi is not a blues band. Now, Richie can play some blues, but not Bon Jovi. It sounds like something would try to do an American Idol or The Voice and God help us if anyone actually does.

“Bed of Roses” is turned in to a piano version with some strings and percussion. Honestly, it doesn’t sound all that different, not much re-imagining here. It still isn’t as good as the original, but at least they didn’t destroy all of its heart and essence from it like most of these songs.

Now we get to another newer song with Bounce’s “Everyday”. Like with “It’s My Life”, the basically stripped it down, but the did add some bad electronic drum beat…sort of sounds like a heartbeat and click track all in one. There is some piano as well and Jon sings it slower and tries to be more tender. I hear Richie helping on the vocals in the background and that is always good. The tempo changes, some Tico drum beats are added and the song picks up. I like this change and the song seems a lot like the original with some minor changes. This one is too bad after all.

“Born to Be My Baby” gets some keyboards and a slowed down tempo. A much more somber feel to it. The vocals are fine, there is a twangy guitar thrown in but when they get to the chorus, that is where they lose me. It is flat and lifeless. There is so much going on musically you get lost with all the sounds and it all blurs into a harsh sound for me. It is a poor attempt at making it more of a ballad. I don’t like it at all.

Then the acoustic guitar starts up with a some violin (or maybe cello) comes in and “Keep the Faith” is started. It is a very stripped down acoustic performance now, nothing more. Not much re-imagining with this one either. Simple and a decent rendition.

Let’s keep the slowed down acoustic performances going with “I’ll Be There For You”. The vocals sounds like the are trying to sound sexy as they breath heavy through the words. There is another voice behind Jon’s and I am guessing it is Richie’s but it doesn’t sound like him as he does the same type of vocal Jon is doing. It really sounds corny and way over done. For me, it doesn’t work at all. Sorry boys.

And finally…thank the Lord!! We now end with “Always” and again a slowed down, acoustic version. Nothing overly new on it to start. The guitar style is a little different then the original, but that drum machine is not good. Jon, you have Tico, why the hell do you have drum machines on this album. I mean, seriously!!! As the song carries on it gets more boring and dull. The heart is pulled from the originally, stomped on and buried in the ground leaving the blood stained ground uncleaned.

Track Listing:

Wanted Dead or Alive

DeleteLivin’ on a Prayer (feat. Olivia d’Abo) – Keeper

Bad Medicine – Delete

It’s My Life – Keeper

Lay Your Hands On Me – Delete

You Give Love a Bad Name – Delete

Bed of Roses – Keeper (1/2 Point)

Everyday – Keeper

Born to Be My Baby – Delete

Keep the Faith – Keeper

I’ll Be There For You – Delete

Always – Delete

The Track Score is 4.5 out of 12 Tracks or 38%.  Yes, it is that bad.   I think a straight up acoustic album would have been better received rather than a butchering…I mean a re-imagining of their biggest hits. For me, there wasn’t much imagination in to them as nothing was overly creative or particularly well done.  You had a handful of tracks that were decent, but nothing on here is even close to being better than the original.  If you can’t equal or better it, then why do it at all.  My Overall Score is a 1 out of 5 Stars. This would’ve been better left in the studio trash can with lighter fluid poured over it and set ablaze.  This was painful folks.