Flesh & Blood finds the ultimate party band of the 80s taking a more serious tack. Surprisingly enough, most of the time it works, and the result is a collection of songs with more substance than Poison's previous work... more », while preserving the band's sense of fun. "Valley of Lost Souls", "Life Loves a Tragedy", and the introspective "Life Goes On" show that Poison is in fact capable of writing good songs that aren't party anthems, though "Something to Believe In" stretches their ambition to the breaking point. "Unskinny Bop" is a delightful piece of raunchy adolescent rock, and "Ride the Wind" is a catchy biker tune (though nowhere near as classic as "Born to Be Wild"-then again, nothing is). The band even veers toward a bluesier edge at times, notably on "Poor Boy Blues". -- Genevieve Williams« less
Flesh & Blood finds the ultimate party band of the 80s taking a more serious tack. Surprisingly enough, most of the time it works, and the result is a collection of songs with more substance than Poison's previous work, while preserving the band's sense of fun. "Valley of Lost Souls", "Life Loves a Tragedy", and the introspective "Life Goes On" show that Poison is in fact capable of writing good songs that aren't party anthems, though "Something to Believe In" stretches their ambition to the breaking point. "Unskinny Bop" is a delightful piece of raunchy adolescent rock, and "Ride the Wind" is a catchy biker tune (though nowhere near as classic as "Born to Be Wild"-then again, nothing is). The band even veers toward a bluesier edge at times, notably on "Poor Boy Blues". -- Genevieve Williams
"Of the three Poison releases that were popular, which also include Look What the Cat Dragged In and Open Up and Say...Ahh!, Flesh and Blood is undoubtedly the best, catchiest and most developed. I might get beaten for saying this, but it's a Poison record that can be taken seriously.
At this point in their career, Poison dropped the lipstick (perhaps in imitation of Motley Crue, who did the same thing several years prior) and began mixing more intensity with their mindlessly catchy hair metal. This is evident in the brilliant hit "Ride the Wind," as well as 80's rock's most underrated ballad, "Life Goes On."
They also began experimenting with new themes and emotions, such as in the angry "Come Hell or High Water" and the worldly "Something to Believe In." There is even an acoustic guitar piece called "Swampjuice (Soul-O)".
Flesh and Blood also keeps consistent with Poison's blues-based rock roots. This is obvious in "Let it Play" and "Ball and Chain," not to mention the unforgettable "Unskinny Bop." There's something on Flesh and Blood to please every part of the band's fan base.
Anyone who likes hard rock should have Flesh and Blood in their CD collection. It is a monument to the potential hair metal had, and to how much fun it was. (Insert Aquanet joke here)"
Poison's Best
Jeffrey T. Munson | Dixon, IL | 09/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
The Begining Of The End Of One Of The Best Bands Ever
Joe Deveny | Anarica | 08/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Poison tried to infuse their music with "serious" themes on this album, atempting to distance themselves from the glam-party goodtime rock that was their forte. Sometime it works, sometimes it doesen't. Happily, on this album, most of the time it works very well. Some of CC's best playing is featured here.Overall, this is not the type of material that Poison is known for, but it's still damn good. Sadly, this would be the last of Poison's major chart successes, as its follow-up, "Native Tounge" was a commercial failure, and the more recent "Crack A Smile" and "Power To The People", while they are both really good albums, simply can't compete for popularity with the legions of idiot rappers, boy bands and worthless teen pop idols that pollute the radio airwaves. And it's really not fair, because if Kid Rock released a song like "Ball And Chain" or "Poor Boy Blues", everyone would eat it right up. But if they know it's poison, the automatic mentality that takes hold is that "It's gonna be gay". People should open their minds and give some different stuff a chance."
Rock n' Roll from the 80's: It's not a disease, y'know?
Hector Gomez | Costa Rica | 12/01/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Poison at their best
Laura | Ontario | 03/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"'Flesh & Blood' is in many ways Poison's best album. The number one reason: Life Goes On. Not only does C.C bring his electrifying guitar riffs but Michael's vocals are superb on the album. The best lyrically by Poison and musically, this album is one for the decade. Two instrumental songs appear on the album 'Strange Days of Uncle Jack' and 'Swampjuice (Soul-O)', they're acoustic and jazzy sounding. The best songs on the album are 'Life Goes On', a beautifully written song that Bret wrote about C.C and friends they have lost, 'Let It Play', a jazzy rock sounding song that is great for the car, 'Unskinny Bop', a Poison hit and classic and 'Life Loves A Tragedy', a brilliantly written Poison song that could have been a hit for sure if it were a single. In all, all Poison, 80s fans or even jazz/rock fans should get this album. It's a great album for the car or just hanging out at home."