About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Undoubtedly one of the seminal rock albums of the '80s, Bon Jovi's third full-length release cemented the band as bona fide superstars capable of commanding the attention of both pop and hard rock audiences. Though overly slick in places (professional songwriter Desmond Child was brought in by the record company to help ensure smash hit status), Slippery When Wet features an impressive selection of arena rock anthems with wide enough appeal to carve a niche in the increasingly popular hair metal movement as well as attract massive airplay on both pop music radio and the rising video medium of MTV.

Pros

• With three Top 10 singles, the album represents the finest mainstream rock of the '80s.
• Strong album tracks deftly complement the singles and the keep the filler to a pleasing minimum.
• The record features a masterful blend of power ballads and mid-tempo rockers even if it's not metal.

Cons

• The album's hook-laden, heavily produced sound can suffer from a plodding sameness at times.
• There is absolutely nothing groundbreaking or daring about the record's music.

Description

• This is solid, well-crafted pop/rock that blends its core styles as well as any other competitors during the glossy mid-'80s.
• Any sacrifice of artistry for a blue-collar aesthetic has disappointed few of the album's millions of admirers.
• The quality of the band's songwriting and performances makes it clear why Bon Jovi has built a long-term pop music career.
• Released August 18, 1986 on Mercury Records

Guide Review - Bon Jovi's 'Slippery When Wet' Album Review

The bombastic organ opening of lead-off track "Let It Rock" clearly sets the stage for the record's overarching anthemic approach, and as always, it's a good idea to begin any record with one of its best tunes.

The marriage of Richie Sambora's muscular guitar work with Dave Bryan's equally forceful keyboards serves as a perfect backdrop for one of Jon Bon Jovi's most spirited studio performances. The album's next two tracks just happen to be the ubiquitous No. 1 hits "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer," both of which helped Bon Jovi rule teen pop culture during the fall of 1986 into the winter of 1987.

The odd combination of horns and a minor stab at social commentary turn "Social Disease" into a decidedly mixed listen. But the record's quality doesn't lag for long, with the moody, even rootsy power ballad"Wanted Dead or Alive" serving as a nice change of pace at the album's halfway mark. "Raise Your Hands" announces itself as an obvious stadium fixture in the band's live shows, a position the tune has held consistently over the years. Even better, "Without Love" keeps things moving along at a confident pace, as few mainstream releases of the era could boast deep album tracks with hooks like this one.

With a keyboard riff that fondly recalls perhaps the band's finest moment ("Runaway"), the sturdy arena rock of "I'd Die for You" provides useful balance for the album's final third. One of Bon Jovi's greatest assets, after all, was its fervent following of female fans, but the group was careful to avoid pandering. That's one reason "Never Say Goodbye," the set's most shameless flame-worthy prom slow-dance number, works as well as it does. Following in the footsteps of obvious influence and fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, Slippery When Wet ultimately functions as a populist offering with something for every taste.