My "Retro Rewind Record Review" series continues. This one is particularly special, as it is the first feature that I contributed to Ink19.com – way back in the summer of 2007. Thanks to editor Ian Koss for allowing me to re-print it here.
Poison'd
EMI
The newest passengers on the rapidly overflowing “Hey, let’s
release an album of cover tunes” bandwagon is none other than '80s pop/metal
poster boys, Poison. The band’s current offering, simply titled Poison’d
features several newly recorded remakes of 1970s classics, produced by
legendary rock guru Don Was and is rounded out by a fistful of previously
released retreads from the band’s infamous past.
Most music fans would probably agree that there is little
appeal in an artist simply regurgitating what has already been done. Typically
what makes one of these types of records compelling is hearing a particular act
put its own unique spin on a classic: transforming somebody else’s tune into its
own. However, in the case of Poison’d, the self-proclaimed "Glam Slam
Kings of Noise" manage to get this basic concept completely ass backward. They
actually deliver their best versions of tunes on which they stick closest to the
original recordings. Conversely, they run into trouble when they (God forbid)
try to get creative.
At its best Poison’d offers raw, garage versions of The
Sweet’s “Little Willie,” David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” and Tom Petty’s “I
Need to Know” – classic gems with energy and attitude reminiscent of the band’s
earlier (and hungrier) Look What the Cat Dragged In-era. However, the
bastardized version of The Cars’ “Just What I Needed” is sluggish and
uninspired. And despite frontman Bret Michaels’ decade-long crusade trying to
convince the world that he truly is “a little bit country and a little bit rock
and roll” these high priests of Hair Metal should probably avoid covering
southern rock tunes in the future. In fact, their remake of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See” is certainly the record’s square peg. But it could have
been worse; at least they had enough sense to stay clear of Skynyrd and
Hatchet!
While also sticking relatively true to the original, the
Poison'd version of The Romantics’ “What I Like About You” is an album
highlight. It comes across with a magical, "'80s-something” rock and roll party
vibe. And it’s their revival of Alice Cooper’s 1976 hit ballad “I Never Cry”
that could replace “Every Rose Has its Thorn” as Poison’s best-known heartbreak
ballad.
It ain’t Dark Side of the Moon, folks, but (thank God)
it ain’t Hollyweird either. Despite a few shortcomings, Poison’d
still just might be the feel good record of the summer!
-Christopher Long
(July 2007)
*Author Christopher Long's latest book,
is available NOW on Amazon.
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