Poison Album: “Flesh & Blood”

Poison has changed their approach on this cd as opposed to their earlier releases. Known strictly as a "party band", this cd shows us a different side of Poison. Yes, the band still has a lot of fun and some of the songs on this disc may be considered "party" songs, but with such songs as the power ballad "Something to Believe In" and the blues-like "Poor Boy Blues", Poison shows their diversity as well.

"Ride The Wind" is my favorite song on the disc. C.C. DeVille's guitar is very noticeable, while Brett Michaels' voice has never sounded better. "Unskinny Bop", a song that shows Poison still knows how to have fun, is another of my favorites.

I give this disc my highest recommendation. Poison has completed their transformation from a glam/party band to serious rockers, and it is evident with the songs on this cd. Pick up "Flesh and Blood" and listen to some good old-fashioned, hard-driving rock and roll.

I don't get why people are so down on 80's rock, most of it just great! While there's something to be said for "serious" rock, most of it is so down that it can't be anything other than just another elaborate "pose", otherwise most 90's alterna-rockers would have ALL shot themselves in the head from the unrelentig self- hate their albums display. In any case, this album, like all the Poison albums, is goofy, great, fun rock. In retrospect I recognize that most of it is cheese, but way- back- when this was the soundtrack to my gloriously misspent youth. The only thing that bothers me when I hear this album is the attending wave of nostalgia that washes through me. Does this mean that I'm getting old, or what? Maybe a Poison reunion tour isn't such a great idea, unless they can come up with an equally goofy, great, fun new album.

OK. being a long-time fan of this band, I have to say that this CD, along with Open up!.... represents the pinacle on Poison's carreer. It's still part of that cheek-in-tongue party all night rock n' roll from the late 80's and (very) early 90's. It's amazing how in one of today's songs you'll find (most of the times) that half the lirycs are about shooting and swearing. This album just isn't. It's partying and having a good time. I highly recomend this album.

Flesh and Blood is Poison's follow up to 1988's Open and Say Ahh. Flesh and Blood may possibly be Poison's finest album,while many of the songs go for a serious theme instead of good time lyrics like Look What the Cat Dragged In and Open Up and Say Ahh,Flesh and Blood is a much more solid album than the previous two albums. Valley of Lost Souls,Unskinny Bop,Let it Play,Life Goes On,Ride the Wind,and Something to Believe In are all highlights of Flesh and Blood,but what is really impressive that the filler songs are just as good as the hit singles of the album.That is what puts it up higher than Poison's first two releases,with Flesh and Blood the boys in Poison wrote their strongest batch of songs.

Poison is everything rock music should be...full of attitude, FUN, and rebellious. Flesh & Blood falls slightly short of the classic Open Up and Say Ahhh...but still blows away the so-called "rock" music of the mid to late 90s. It's called FUN and "popular" music is definitely missing it these days. Have no fear, Poison is recording again and will TOUR THIS SUMMER! Check 'em out to have some real fun...and that's what rock music is all about to begin with.