Flesh and Blood Review - August 18, 1990

Poison

Flesh and Blood

Enigma/Capitol

My word, look what the cat's dragged in! "Flesh and Blood," Poison's third album, is no picked-over piece of carrion. This 14 song LP is full of dazzling riffs, hot licks, and sweet hooks. Once again, the band that in 1983 moved from the Harrisburg area to find fame and fortune in LA, shows that a group can have fun while making music with some substance. Many critics with quickly dismiss "Flesh" as lite metal, but don't believe it. The single "Unskinny Bop" is already a rock radio and MTV standard, and that's just the beginning. In the tradition of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "I Won't Forget You," Poison offers the soulful "Life Goes On." "Let It Play," and "Come Hell or High Water" showcase the quartet at its rocking best. "Ride The Wind" is for motorcycle junkies. In the breathtaking ballad "Something To Believe In," Poison even mounts an attack on the slimy segment of televangelists while also telling the story of a Vietnam vet. "Flesh and Blood" is beefy, meaty, big, and bouncy.

Gary Blockus