Poison Album: “Hollyweird”

Simply put, this is a very weak CD. I agree with Johnny Outlaw's review of May 23rd in that this Poison effort is for dedicated fans only and that everyone else should buy some other Poison product.

I don't know what went wrong with "Hollywierd" but to me the performances aside from CC Deville's are phoned in leaving a CD that is flat and uninspired. The listener should be very grateful for CC's role in this CD as it is the saves the day giving it the only excitement to be found.

The single "Squeeze Box" sounds like a demo tape being shipped around to record companies hoping the group can get a contract. If you want to hear the true version of "Squeeze Box" listen to the Who's rendition.

Poison is these days a nostalgia act touring the country in the summer playing the hits and there is nothing wrong with that. But getting a glimpse of the band and their lasting appeal can be better found at a summer concert or a CD aside from this one.

I'll make it simple, the original 4 back at it again!! Lead-off

track Hollyweird ("just call me pimp daddy, I'll roll ya one big fatty") gets the CD off to a great start!! Next Squeeze Box again Poison does justice to another cover tune! Wishful Thinkin and Shooting Star both cool tunes, cool hooks in 'em, wish they would of played Shooting Star Live, hopefully they will in '03.

Get Ya some is well you know what its about, its Poison being themselves, it'd be a nice tune live also!! Emperor's New Clothes, personally one of my faves, C.C. has his own style, plus this is much better than his SaMantha 7 outfit! Next, Devil Woman and Wasteland, stand-out tracks by far the best on the album. Bret and the gang wail on Devil Woman, harmonica and all; Wasteland, turn it up and hit the road on your HOG! Livin in the know wasn't crazy about it but C.C.'s style is unique. Stupid, Stoned and Dumb, hmm well this POISON, gang vocals make you wanna sing along and believe me child I do!!

HOME- Bret and C.C.'s Stories love the concept, I personally like Brets version better, actually it is better also Bret mentions the Late Dave Williams from Drowning Pool, who would of imagine he wouldn't be with us now. R.I.P. Dave. Last but not least, OK first off I could of wrote the lyrics to Rockstar but I didn't and thats the point. This song kicks A$$ Live! Definitely 2 thumbs up live, great riff, great hook, and catchy as hell!! Poison is back so purchase this album Hey I own 3(1 for the house, 1 for the car, 1 for the van) Poison rocks and also buy Bret's Songs of Life, he's at his best. bretmichaels.com great website lots of info

This is an excellent album. C.C. hits the guitar hard, so many songs have a little more edge than some of Poison's earlier music. But the tone and overall sound is unmistakably that of Poison. Most important to me however, is that these four guys stayed true to their musical roots. They didn't try to change their style. This album is vintage 80s guitar rock.

Hollyweird, a striking triumph for the glam slam kings of noise. Featuring the full studio album return of C.C. DeVille to the Poison line up and the second Poison album that C.C. shows us his lead vocal skills. This album is a return to Poison's roots and an obvious change from their previous two all new studio albums, Native Tongue (1993) and Crack A Smile (1996 and 2000). Truly a treat for Poison fans of old and a look back into what made the 80's one of the best decades for Pop music.

The two previously mention albums, although good, seemed to lack some of the Poison luster. Perhaps this was due to the replace ment of C.C. with Richi Kotzen and Blues Saraceno on the respected recordings. This latest work however has no lack luster at all and belongs next to Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986), Open Up and Say Ahh... (1988) and Flesh & Blood (1990) in multi-plantinum fame.

Featured Tracks:

Squeeze Box, a cover of the classic.

Emperor's New Clothes, Livin' In The Now and Home feature C.C. on Lead vocals

Shooting Star, Hollyweird, Wishful Thinkin', Get Ya Some, Devil Woman, Waste Land, Stoned, Dumb and Stupid and the bonus track: Rock Star all remind us of the poison of old who put out three multi-platinum albums in a row.

A definate feather in Poison's hat. Two thumbs up and five stars...

Excellent offering from the kings of the glam-metal scene. I bought this album two days after having seen Poison's Hollyweird World Tour. Before I even listened to the first song, I had already concluded that I'd like the album, but I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. Excellent guitar, great bass and drums, well-written lyrics, and not to mention superbly-crafted solos (not like I expected anything less from C.C.) have all caused me to fall in love with this album. With "Hollyweird," Bret, Rikki, Bobby, and C.C. have not only met but surpassed my high expectations. Pick up this album, and do it now!