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The Circle
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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Circle Image
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

  • Summary: The New Jersey rock band releases its latest album produced with John Shanks.

Top Track

Superman Tonight
There's something about you I wanna rescue I don't even know you so what does that mean Maybe I'm cynical, painfully logical You're tragic and... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Billboard.com
    79
    The New Jersey group gets back to the business of rocking on its 11th studio album, The Circle.
  2. Spin
    60
    Predictable and immaculately produced, these arena-shakers offer a familiar brand of Jersey cheese, but where Jon Bon Jovi once was kind of quixotic ('Livin' on a Prayer'), he's more contemplative than ever, turning out meditations like 'Live Before You Die' ("There'll come a day when you have to say hello to goodbye").
  3. The New York Times
    60
    But even while Mr. Bon Jovi is sympathizing with the common man, the scrape in his voice is never wrenching. And while the arrangements are mildly darker than on the group’s previous albums, this group is still drawn magnetically to swelling choruses, its ambition of scale still grander than its ambition of import.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Between cliches and Jon's strained voice, The Circle just feels tired.
  5. AllMusic
    40
    A knack for oversized choruses remains hardwired in Bon Jovi, but in this gloomy context, they act as reminders that they once sounded like they were a working band for working men instead of rich men fretting about a world they've long left behind.
  6. Boston Globe
    40
    Slick production and beer-ad bombast grease these 12 tracks. Singer Jon Bon Jovi has yet to meet a cliche he can’t work into a song.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    37
    The Circle shows off Bon Jovi's still-sharp knack for wedding blandly optimistic sentiments to predictably soaring choruses. Unfortunately, it's getting pretty hard to tell one song from the next.

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User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. LoRevisor
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    Uma obra-prima do Bon Jovi,Um álbum completo!! Genial do começo ao fim.
    Top 5 The Circle
    1-We Weren't Born To Follow 2-Thorn In My Side    Uma obra-prima do Bon Jovi,Um álbum completo!! Genial do começo ao fim.
    Top 5 The Circle
    1-We Weren't Born To Follow
    2-Thorn In My Side
    3-Broken Promise Land
    4-Love's The Only Rule
    5-Superman Tonight
    6-Fast Cars
    7-Happy Now    … Collapse
  2. Avaliante
    May 25, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Talvez Supere O Clássico De 1986 Slippery When Wet Pois A Social Disease Desse Clássico Péssima E Simplesmente No The Circle Todas São Ótimas De Manhã Para Animar O Dia Escute We Weren't Born To Follow,Thorn In My Side,Love's The Only Rule,Fast Cars E Happy Now… Expand
  4. clinteastwoo
    May 11, 2016
    10
    .....................................................................................................................................Excellent.....................................................................................................................................Excellent Album BJ....................… Expand
  5. Thenewone
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    A Great Album,Very superior to U2 weak album No Line On The Horizon... And was underrated for critics,and The Circle is one of best albums of 2009...
  6. raciocinio
    Apr 4, 2016
    10
    ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................great album..… Expand
  7. sicrano
    Apr 8, 2016
    10
    The MUSIC CRITICS ARE AN **** THIS IS AN AMAZING ALBUM...............

    BON JOVI IS GREAT,BRILLIANT, & MASTERFUL WITH THEY 2000's SONGS &    The MUSIC CRITICS ARE AN **** THIS IS AN AMAZING ALBUM...............

    BON JOVI IS GREAT,BRILLIANT, & MASTERFUL WITH THEY 2000's SONGS & ALBUMS These CRITICS ARE AN ASS!!!!    … Expand
  8. LuisG.
    Nov 11, 2009
    0
    I used to like Bon Jovi, a lot but what they do nowadays is...so sadly BAD it is not rock, in any way.

See all 10 User Reviews

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