Personnel: Jon Bon Jovi (vocals); Richie Sambora (guitar, background vocals); Charlie Judge (strings, keyboards); David Bryan (keyboards); Hugh McDonald (bass guitar); Tico Torres (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Bob Clearmountain.

Recording information: Henson Recording Studios, CA; Sanctuary Studios, NJ.

Bon Jovi's 2007 effort, LOST HIGHWAY, found New Jersey's finest brandishing a Nashville-tinged, commercial rock/country crossover sound that wasn't too far a stretch from their usual arena rocking anthems for the Everyman. And where that album sometimes tried too hard to fit into the conventions of trad country, sacrificing some of the fist-pumping potency of their best `90s-era efforts in the process, THE CIRCLE, the band's fifth studio effort of the `00s, is a back-to-roots return to form focused on uplifting hooks and a hard-hitting guitar rock energy. Once again teaming up with producer John Shanks, who also worked the band's previous two albums, Bon Jovi relay the struggles and upheavals of the common man on lead single "We Weren't Born to Follow."