POISON burst on the scene with the vibrant "Look What the Cat Dragged In" and a pair of shades. They went on to disappoint a lot of people by failing to tour here and delivering a follow up that, although it had its moments, had none of the sticky sweet taste and texture of its predecessor. Flesh and Blood goes a long way towards setting those wrongs to right.
An overlong intro gives way to "Valley of Lost Souls," which sounds like it was too strong to be included on the last album but comes from the same sessions. Sadly the title track lets the side down a little, but from there on in it's great. The glorious "Unskinny Bop" is without doubt the rock hit of the summer so far, a "Jump" for a new generation.
"Come Hell or High Water," "Ride the Wind," "Life Loves a Tragedy," etc., etc., you get the idea. "Something to Believe In" is the formulaic big ballad, but who cares, you knew it was coming and Poison do it so well, hit single tattooed it all over its forehead.
You may have heard mutterings about Poison braving new territory and branching out into new styles on this album. Don't believe a word of it, it's only rock n' roll -- admittedly with a maturity to the song writing and arrangement -- but it ain't nothing but a good time, and I for one wouldn't want it any other way.
This record is 100% entertainment and in the days of the £7 50 record, value for money, a soundtrack for a hot sweaty summer from a bunch of guys who have had an undeserved hard time from much of the press in this country. Don't throw things at them at Donnington, go down to your nearest record shop today, buy this record, put it on, turn it up loud, slip on your shades, lay back, and enjoy!
9/10
9/10
Simon Robinson
Riff Raff
July 1990
Riff Raff
July 1990
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