Bon Jovi
by Leslie Mathew
From the opener, "Runaway," which rode to glory on Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band-mate Roy Bittan's distinctive keyboard riff, to the sweaty arena rock of "Get Ready," which closes the album, Bon Jovi's debut is an often-overlooked minor gem from the heyday of hair metal. The songs may be simple and the writing prone to all the clichés of the form, but the album boasts a pretty consistent hard rock attack, passionate playing, and a keen sense of melody. The prominence David Bryan's (he was David Rashbaum on the credits) keyboards get on this record is an indicator, perhaps, that Bon Jovi had more than a passing interest in the pop market, which was then dominated by new wave and synth pop. Mixing Journey-like '70s rock ("She Don't Know Me") with shout-along stadium anthems ("Love Lies"), Bon Jovi showcases a hot young band who is hungry for the big time, doing what they did best. It may not be the most noteworthy of debuts, but Bon Jovi has a contagious sense of energy and an endearing romanticism that mark it as a classic in its own right.