POISON „The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock”

Country of origin: LA
Genres: GLAM METAL
Website: www.poisonweb.com

After years of paying their dues, the controversial glam metal punks, whose stage show was hailed by one critic “as the Sex Pistols meets Kiss on acid”, could not be ignored. Combining streetwise, catchy songs which lead vocalist
Bret Michaels called “the soundtrack to our lives” and a strong video image, helped to make their 1986 independent debut album, Look What The Cat Dragged
In a multi-platinum Top Ten smash.

In 1988, Poison released their second album, Open Up And Say…Ahh!, which was originally slated to be produced by Paul Stanley of Kiss, but due to scheduling conflicts, the band worked with legendary producer Tom Werman instead. The record quickly went platinum and its first single, “Nothin' But A Good Time” raced up both the MTV and Billboard charts. The band hit the road opening for David Lee Roth, but by that summer, it became obvious that they were capable of selling out arenas on their own. They soon found themselves as headliners with three more hit singles: “Fallen Angel,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (their first #1 single), “Your Mamma Don't Dance” and an album that would ultimately go on to sell eight million copies worldwide, and were featured in Time Magazine alongside Metallica as one of the largest grossing touring acts of that era.

Fast forward to 2006 and Poison are headed out on their twentieth anniversary tour and they needed an album to commemorate the milestone. The result is Poison's second hits compilation titled “The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock”. This compilation focuses almost exclusively on their first three albums, “Look What the Cat Dragged In” (1986) “Open Up and Say Ahh…,”(1988) and “Flesh and Blood”(1990) which ultimately are the bands better known commercially successful songs and makes this CD a great primer for the upcoming tour!

Much like the first “Greatest Hits” “20 Years of Rock” gives the casual Poison fan every major hit and concert staple they would ever want. In of itself, the album is a fine compilation, and to make this even CD a better “Best Of” choice over the older “Greatest Hits” release is the fact that it has a superior remastering and sound quality. Which in and of itself is worth the price of admission!

There’s no question that, in their heyday, Poison produced some truly great bubblegum metal. Their debut single,
“Talk Dirty to Me,” may have damaged any opportunity for “true metal” credibility for the band from the moment they release it with it simplistic nature, but, interestingly enough, it’s also the one song of theirs that’s had the most staying power. Of course Poison, like a lot of their “Hair Band” peers, was never too concerned with credibility anyway. The were more about having “Nothing but a Good Time”!

You can see why “true metal” headbangers may loath these guys with a passion, of course back when Poison arrived on the scene there wasn't all the sub genres of music that is so prevalent today so at that time they were considered “Heavy Metal amazingly right along with bands such as Iron Maiden and Motley Crue. Defining Poison today would put them in a category of “fun pop-rock” than “Heavy Metal” but even still their live shows are a spectacular event!

Some notable tracks on this compilation are the “new” songs for “20 Years of Rock”, which include a cover of KISS' “Rock N' Roll All Nite” recorded live in '87 and “Were an American band” ala Grand Funk Railroad, both of which are done well, but it would have been a nice touch to add a track or two of new original material!

If your a Poison completist, Glam Metal Fan, or just headed to one of their shows to see what all the fuss was about back in day, make sure to pick this CD up! Unskinny Bop, indeed!

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1) Cry Tough
2) Talk Dirty To Me
3) I Want Action
4) I Won't Forget You
5) Look What The Cat Dragged In
6) Nothin' But A Good Time
7) Fallen Angel
8) Every Rose Has Its Thorn
9) Your Mama Don't Dance
10) Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS Cover)
11) Unskinny Bop
12) Something To Believe In
13) Ride The Wind
14) Life Goes On
15) Stand
16) The Last Song
17) Shooting Star
18) We're An American Band (Grand Funk Railroad Cover)

Line-up

Bret Michaels – Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica

C.C. DeVille – Lead Guitar, Vocals

Rikki Rockett – Drums, Vocals

Bobby Dall – Bass, Vocals