lambchops's Full Review: Greatest Hits 1986-1996 by Poison (Metal)
It’s comforting at times returning to the music of adolescence. I was just beginning to discover the joys of rock music about the same time that Poison first touched my delicate ears.
My friend was fascinated by C.C. Deville’s amazing hair feats, I on the other hand was drawn by Poison’s pop laced rock and roll. The band first burst onto the scene during the pseudo-glam rock era. Wearing leather and makeup, Poison gave the world more than just Bret Michael’s butt. The world was graced with no fewer than six hit albums. The hairspray consumption seemed to be in direct correlation with the band’s success…
Anyway, all humor aside, Michaels’ ear-splitting vocals paired with very electric guitars made for a perfect hair-metal combination. The got their first taste of Poison in 1986 with Look What The Cat Dragged In. More albums would follow, most of which spawning multiple rock and roll hits. The four ‘traditional’ members of Poison have had there share of hard times but Michaels (vocals), Deville (guitar), Bobby Dall (bass), and Rikki Rockett (drums) still are together (although, Deville has attempted various other unsuccessful musical incarnations).
Capitol released Poison’s greatest hits album entitled (surprisingly enough) Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996. Since the album spans through the darkest days of the band, though Deville being fired for drug abuse, and the grunge revolution, there are some less than notable songs contained on the album released in 1996. But, for any fan of hair metal bands this album is indispensable. Hell, we all would prefer to buy just one greatest hits album from Poison than each of the band’s separate works.
This CD contains eighteen tracks that range from the good, to the bad, to the hairspray sticky. These songs aren’t arranged in any discernable order. They aren’t chronological for sure and they aren’t even in order of popularity. Each track is thrown onto the album in such an order that allows listeners to actually enjoy the album. And, fortunately the two unreleased (and for that matter crummy) tracks are strategically placed at the end of the album. Therefore, you can stop listening in good conscious after the sixteenth song.
It’s wholly unnecessary to run down each of these tracks. It’s easy to guess which songs made the cut to appear on this album. Instead, what I will do is just talk about a few of them that I enjoy or enjoyed in junior high. Most notable is probably ”Unskinny Bop”. I can still appreciate the heavy drums and the almost southern-rock feeling guitars. Although, the guitars do seem more abrasive than they did a decade ago. I now also have some feel for the lyrical content, something that fell upon deaf ears when I was an 8th grader.
Two of the songs on this album are also heart-wrenching ballads. ”Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” sent many a girl to the restroom crying when their boyfriends dumped them. Honestly, it is a good track and if it wasn’t for the typical guitar solo I would today enjoy the track even more. ”Something to Believe In” features a beautiful piano. I would even go so far as to say that this was the best song of Poison’s career. Sure, it’s not as ‘heavy’ as other tracks but the sound translates much better today than some of the others.
”Fallen Angel” is another track I’ve always enjoyed. This is the epitome of a fun hair metal track. Poison is really very good at making fun music. Believe it or not, but this is a song that tells a story. It’s the story of a small-town girl who wants to be a star. We all know how the story ends. The lyrics from ”Fallen Angel” are also pretty good. Check out this catchy (brilliant?) chorus:
Win big--Mama's fallen angel
Lose big--livin' out her lies
Wants it all--Mama's fallen angel
Lose it all, rollin' the dice of her life
Other tracks of note are the feel good have fun anthems like ”Nothin’ But A Good Time”, ”Talk Dirty To Me”, ”Look What The Cat Dragged In”, ”I Want Action”, and ”Your Mama Don’t Dance”. The liner notes themselves tell a little bit about each track but include no lyrics…not even to the two previously unreleased tracks. Not that I really care all that much what the lyrics are…
Anyway, I would say that this the best album from Poison. It cuts through all the crap and leaves just the songs that the band wants you to hear. Sure there are some clunkers (especially from 1993’s half-hearted failure Native Tongue). Let me reiterate. If there is one Poison album to own, this is it! It’s not a masterpiece. Hair metal as a whole was and is a joke of sorts. But, this is about as good as the genre gets.
I give Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 4/5 stars. I feel kind of, um, dirty for awarding it so many stars. But that’s the way Poison would like it. I also will recommend this album to rock fans everywhere. If you can stomach hair bands at all, this is a must own…
Are my roots showing?
Track Listing:
1. Nothin' But A Good Time
2. Talk Dirty To Me
3. Unskinny Bop
4. Every Rose Has Its Thorn
5. Fallen Angel
6. I Won't Forget You
7. Stand
8. Ride The Wind
9. Look What The Cat Dragged In
10. I Want Action
11. Life Goes On
12. Sacrifice, (Flesh & Blood)
13. Cry Tough
14. Your Mama Don't Dance
15. So Tell Me Why
16. Something To Believe In
17. Sexual Thing - (previously unreleased)
18. Lay Your Body Down - (previously unreleased)
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