Since 2002 and the release of the bands most recent full-length, 'Bounce', Bon Jovi's popularity has taken something of a nosedive; hence the anticipation for the bands new album has been somewhat muted in part. Surely a band known for hits such as 'Always' and 'It's My Life' wouldn't allow themselves to fade out without as much as a whimper, surely not. The questions aimed in the bands direction became never-ending; could Jon and guitarist Richie Sambora repair some broken ties, ties that'd been beyond dodgy for some time now; could the band return to their hay-day, the days of 'Dry County' and 'Bed Of Roses' and most importantly, could the band hack it in a scene which is technically void of anyone alike themselves right now. 'Have A Nice Day', the lead single from the album of the same name, showed that not only had the guys progressed from the rather tame 'Crush' years, but their chemistry seemed as solid as ever; thus asking the question, could this be their best ever album, surpassing the multi-million selling efforts of 'New Jersey' and 'Slippery When Wet'. Maybe. Just maybe.

'Welcome To Wherever You Are' provides undoubtedly the finest moment here, and one which I'd class as one of their best single tracks throughout their career, matching the previous successes of the likes of 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Lay Your Hands On Me'. ("Welcome to wherever you are, This is your life, you made it this far. Welcome, you got to believe. That right here right now you're exactly where you're supposed to be") it's refreshing to see a band, any band, talk of hope, of the good things in life; as opposed to the sea of bands that seem to hate the world and everyone in it. 'Who Say's You Can't Go Home' is one of Jon's 'self' moments, talking of the things he's done, the things he's accomplished, and of returning to his hometown in New Jersey ("Who says you can't go home, There's only one place that call me one of their own. Just a hometown boy, born a rolling-stone, who says you can't go home") whilst it's easily one of the more pop-orientated songs on the record, it's still far from the worst; more about that later.

'I Am' acts as an out cry to a loved one who doesn't quite realise; ("I'm there to be that someone, when you think that no-one is there to hold your hand, I am"). Again, it's one of the albums strong points, which is a statement I could technically make with regards to each song that's come before, barring 'Last Cigarette'. It's easy to see that the band haven't quite removed themselves from the general mistake that was 2000s' 'Crush' album, as 'Complicated' serves as something right off the back of the disc, but one that still offers up a lot to the 'new' Bon Jovi sound; ("Is there anybody out there, Just like everybody out there, Just want somebody out there just like me") it seems to talk of being a confusing individual who struggles to find someone alike themselves, someone to understand them, something which may well be directed toward Jon personally. 'Novocaine' does the job as a penultimate track; Jon writes of finding it hard to walk away from a past relationship, of putting on a brave face, one which doesn't convey his true feelings ("I tell myself I feel no pain, but I'm feeling the pain. Can't walk away, I'm hanging on the ropes of hope").

From the band that brought us the timeless classics 'New Jersey' and 'Slippery When Wet', comes 'Have A Nice Day' an album that will undoubtedly be up there in my personal scrap for the best album of 2005, whilst being the bands finest work in over a decade, if not period. From first to last, barring the odd exception, the album gleams quality; and the package on offer, considering both the bonus tracks and the accompanying DVD, is pretty damn good for the price you'll pay (roughly £12.99 for the special edition). Even if you didn't consider yourself a fan beforehand, give them a try, they might just surprise you….