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Classic Box Set Review: Bon Jovi | 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong

You have to grudgingly give them credit for going the extra mile with this rarities set.

This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):

 


I am doing my best to resist the urge to make a cheap crack about the title of Bon Jovi’s box set.

First because it would be far too easy; and second because even though I would rather skinny-dip with Bea Arthur than listen to a Bon Jovi album, I have to grudgingly give them credit for going the extra mile with 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong. Rather than turn in the usual set of hits and highlights fleshed out with B-sides and live cuts, these New Jersey pop-metal poodles raided their vaults and collected four discs of unreleased tracks and rarities. And in general, they’re consistent with their other work. Which is to say: If you’re a fan of their Def Springsteen sound — and fans are clearly who this box is aimed at — you’ll be in heaven. If you aren’t, well, at least you won’t have heard it all before. Even if you never want to hear it again.

DISCS: Four CDs and one DVD.

TRACKS: 50.

YEARS COVERED: Mid-’80s – early ’00s.

NEW STUFF: 38 tracks are previously unissued.

EYE CANDY: The DVD has an hour of interviews, band chit-chat and home-movie tour footage. The 60-page book has track-by-track anecdotes, along with testimonials from a seeming majority of those 100,000,000 fans — including one Michelle Z. of Winnipeg, who remarks, “Bon Jovi has been kicking ass for over 20 years … that’s a lot of ass!” Indeed.

DAMAGE: $50.