After two albums with a more than respectable success as well as several tours where the quality of its stage performances was noticed by all, Bon Jovi must tackle its third opus which is often considered as a decisive stage for the future of a group. For this, the musicians surround themselves with a dream team that will fulfill its mission beyond all expectations. The production is entrusted to the Canadian Bruce Fairbairn who has just made several winning moves with Krokus, Black'n'Blue and Honeymoon Suite. On the other hand, Jon and Richie decide to hire Desmond Child to help them in their composition work. The result is simply monstrous. "Slippery When Wet" will sell nearly 14 million copies in the United States and more than 28 million worldwide.
And album sales will be doubled by singles sales. As a result, Bon Jovi became the first band to have two consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard charts with "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer," two of the three songs written with Desmond Child. It should be noted that "Without Love", the third track composed by the trio Child - Bon Jovi - Sambora is a mid-tempo FM which also has all the qualities required to obtain a radio and commercial success. The group will prefer the country ballad "Wanted Dead Or Alive", which will lead to a place of No. 8 in the charts.
Although remaining confined to hard FM, Bon Jovi managed to vary the pleasures with as much success as ever. If he now perfectly masters the art of the ballad with the two aforementioned hits, the band is also perfect in the composition of tracks with a heavier tempo whose chorus quickly becomes a real anthem. The opening track, "Let It Rock", is a perfect example with its grandiloquent organ introduction. It is joined in this category by "Social Disease" with its torrid introduction and devastating solo, and by "Raise Your Hands" whose chorus is as unifying as the title. Finally, although based on a faster tempo, "Wild In The Streets" can also enjoy the status of FM anthem.
But what will participate the most to the commercial success of this album, it is this capacity to compose titles flirting with the AOR and becoming thus accessible to a greater number like "You Give Love A Bad Name" chanted from its introduction and which does not leave the memory any more. It is also impossible to ignore the legendary talk-box of "Livin' On A Prayer", the aforementioned "Without Love" and the faster and more muscular "I'd Die For You" which complete this category and make this album a must-have of the genre.
It's a safe bet that most of you have already had the opportunity to listen to "Slippery When Wet" or at least one of its singles. For the others, even if you are not a fan of the FM style, it would be a pity not to widen your musical horizon by paying a little attention to this rough diamond still shining at the firmament of a style which found in him one of its best ambassadors.