Bon Jovi's fourth studio album, New Jersey, is a masterclass in crafting infectious, hard-hitting rock music. Released on 19 September 1988, this seminal album was produced by the renowned Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As the follow-up to their hugely successful third album, Slippery When Wet, New Jersey had big shoes to fill, but it more than delivered, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart in its second week of release.
New Jersey is a testament to Bon Jovi's ability to create music that resonates with a wide audience. The album's twelve tracks, including hits like 'Lay Your Hands on Me', 'Bad Medicine', and 'Born to Be My Baby', showcase the band's signature blend of blue-collar cowboy subject matter and rough-and-ready rock & roll. With its metal-lite sound, New Jersey sustained the momentum of Bon Jovi's imperial phase, which had begun in 1986.
Initially, the band had planned to release New Jersey as a double album, with an ambitious thirty-four new songs. However, after feedback from their label and a group of fifty teenagers in Vancouver, they narrowed down the offering to a tight twelve songs, resulting in a cohesive and polished album that has stood the test of time. New Jersey has gone on to become a seven-times-platinum No. 1 smash, cementing Bon Jovi's status as one of the most successful rock bands of all time. With its enduring appeal and catchy, hard-rocking sound, New Jersey remains an essential listen for fans of Bon Jovi and rock music alike.
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