Let me state up front that this review is not meant to be ironic in anyway and while sarcasm is the major form of communication for anyone between 12 and 25, I’m in my late 30’s so am (almost) capable of going more than 15 minutes without a single snarky retort. OK, I’m just as cynical as your average tween, but I’ve at least lived long enough to justify the cynicism. That being said, the just-released two disc Poison box set does not foreshadow the coming Apocalypse. In fact, it’s pretty damn addictive, once you decide to embrace nostalgia.
The first disc, aptly titled “The Hits”, includes 18 of the band’s biggest hits and while most who stopped listening to the band in 1990, they soldiered on (that’s to say, while you won’t recognize all of the “hits”, there are plenty of ones you will). It’s actually pretty surprising how many top singles the band had, from “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” to “Fallen Angel,” they are pretty much all here. While no one will argue the band would give Dylan (or even Kenny Loggins) a challenge in the lyric department, the guys could certainly come up with catchy hooks.
The second CD includes most of these same songs performed at several shows across Florida and California in 1991. Again, nothing earth shatteringly original here, but still fun if you’re willing to drop the hipster vibe for an hour or so.
In the arena of hair metal, few with the exception of maybe Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, were as successful as Poison and the fact that all three bands are still playing to crowds every summer is a testament to their continued appeal… not to mention the 30 and 40 year olds who are dying to relive the 80’s, bad hair and all. This collection is billed as a box set (though not sure how two discs make it a box set) but it also includes a limited edition Poison bandana (really).
Rating 8 out of 10
Top Track: “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” “Cry Tough”
Poison – The Poison Collection/2 CDs/34 tracks/Capitol and EMI/2010