These guys never fail to amaze - not in the content of Bon Jovi's new album, but in the consistency of the group's material. Years, even decades, go by, but Bon Jovi's image, stance on life and overt rock-pathos have never changed, for better or worse. The CD covers still feature the band in sunglasses, faces looking to the side with arms at their sides. But this time, the foursome has a theme that strays from love-broken hearts, and emerges in lyrics, music and even the album's title: last year's Sept. 11 tragedy. A few tracks were written from straight inspiration, like "The Right Side of Wrong" - a real hymn, touching and enlivened with serious lyrics.

The group has adjusted their style in that songs that don't qualify as sugary ballads have more than the usual number of heavy riffs, grungy shticks, yelps and yells, especially in "Hook Me Up" and "Everyday," the latter which is the album's first single. But other stuff, like "All About Lovin' You," and "Open All Night," about falling in love with the flavor of the moment, still dominates. The album just premiered worldwide Sept. 23, so there hasn't yet been enough time to totally absorb it.

And perhaps, rather than pass judgement on them, it's better to let the group introduce itself, with this PR quote from their Web site: "Bon Jovi are proud to debut Bounce, their eighth studio album. Bounce is a complete work of art. Each song tells a chapter of the story; each song paints a portion of the portrait. Bounce is a journal kept by the band of where they've been this past year, a diary of what they've witnessed and what they've felt. There is harshness and tenderness in the lyrics. There is strength and grace in the music. Bounce is where Bon Jovi are today."