The 12th Bon Jovi album extends the Springsteen liberalism in JBJ's stadium­rattling Jersey cheese into full-on "social commentary" (his term). "What About Now" and "I'm With You" are rousingly vague got-your-back anthems. But the songs also have a countrified contemplative side; on "Because We Can," the working-class heroes are a couple trying to save their marriage, and "What's Left of Me" decries the passing of punk club CBGB à la Springsteen lamenting Giants Stadium – "All that's left are the T-shirts, and they come from Japan." Hey, Obama, bring back the rock T-shirt manufacturing sector, now!

“More Than a Feeling”

Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.