Review Summary: The breakthrough Diamond-certified album by Bon Jovi, who mix Rock N' Roll and Pop in an uncompromising, and completely awesome way.
In 1986, Bon Jovi crashed in the middle of the 80's Sunset Strip Pop Metal scene with "Slippery When Wet," more natural-sounding, organic, and believable than any record released that time. With big hooks, Van Halen-like guitar work and attitude, and an image both of the times and fresh. With the pop sheen of "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Living on a Prayer," Bon ovi dominated pop radio and MTV, and despite their female fanbase, never seemed cheesy or trying too hard. "Let It Rock" and "Wild in the Streets" helped stir the pot of Bon Jovi's sound of classic and modern rock with big choruses and backing vocals, which make sense why they begin and close the album. While the band's "rivals," Guns N' Roses were dominating pop with the most dangerous Rock N' Roll evr made, Bon Jovi proved nice guys CAN Rock N' Roll. Rock ballads like "Without Love," "Never Say Goodbye," and "I'd Die Without You" set the standard for rock stars with a soft side, not just for the next ten years, but also bands of today like Nickelback and Daughtry who try to please both rock AND pop fans. "Slippery When Wet" not pnly has aged well, as Bon Jovi have, the last 25 years, but really is revolutionary as how the two most eclectic genres of popular music can come together to create something that brings all fans together.
