The first 3 Poison albums
Poison is usually not remembered kindly, but I'm going to do my best not to let modern snarkiness get in the way of reviewing these records.
First up, "Look what the cat dragged in" - Say what you will about Poison, but this album is fucking great!
OK, you have to listen to it in context I guess, but in my mind, no other LP completely sums up 80's glam metal like Look what the cat dragged in.
If an alien race visits you and says: "Please, we must know more about the sunset strip in the 80's, Can you help us understand?" just slip 'em this disc and tell 'em to thank you later!
This one has kind of a (bear with me here) punk-rock quality about it too, probably because it was recorded independently and sounds pretty raw.
I was 10 when this came out, and I remember the impact this record had on me. A big part of which was my friends and I suddenly realizing that maybe it was possible for us to learn to play instruments and start a band. This album made it seem totally do-able.
Also I remember my Dad seeing the cover and thinking they were girls, and looking very concerned when I explained to him that they were guys.
I'm giving this one a hearty thumbs up!
Up Next: "Open up and say Ahh!" - This one is not nearly as good as I remembered it. In fact, it's not very good at all!
It's super over-produced and kind of boring.
Of course, it does have the song that eased a million broken teen-age hearts, "Every Rose has it's Thorn" and the other 2 singles "Nothin' but a Good Time" and "Fallen Angel" are good in an 80's glam metal sort of way too, but otherwise nothing else really stands out.
It also has the super annoying "Your Mama Don't Dance" a song that always got under my skin, though it wasn't until tonight that I learned it was co-written by none other than that bastard Kenny Loggins.
The album cover is pretty sweet, but overall a patchy and uninspired effort.
And last and unfortunately least is "Flesh and Blood." - I didn't really like this one when it came out and I still don't.
It's not all bad, it's just not really any fun.
They kind of de-volved into that blues-y classic rock thing that I find so annoying.
I guess the golden rule of 80's glam metal was "do whatever Motley Crue is doing" and after the faux bluesiness of "Dr. Feelgood" did so well, Poison decided it could work for them.
It was recorded in Vancouver though, which makes absolutely no difference, I just found it slightly interesting.
Overall, not a great record, but a least C.C. DeVille was still on it.
Poison really lost their groove with the whole Blues Saraceno/Richie Kotzen thing, those were some bad years!
Anyway, you probably owned these at one time, so if you didn't get rid of them, dig 'em out , put on some eyeliner and give them a listen, it'll be fun.
Comments
Yes, Look What the Cat... was a very good curtain raiser to the band's recording career, a feel-good record that ouzed youthfulness!
Open Up.... was a natural follow-up and, for me, a typical 80's whistle & sing-a-long feast!
Flesh... was a slight disappointment. Traditionally, the 3rd album is THE big one but this wasn't really a step-up, just a slight change in direction.
However, the band is still going strong so please check out their more mature, recent offerings. Not chart-friendly music anymore but, I think, better music from better musicians - or am I just old now.....?! :-o
Thanks for the review - the oldies have been dug out of my collection again for another spin!