Poison's third album, and the last released to feature their original line-up, Flesh & Blood is the sounds of a wholly 80s band breaking into the wilderness of the 1990s. With the emergence of three-chord grunge chart toppers the likes of Nirvana, how could a band who gained notoriety for their power ballads and Aqua Net usage conform for a new generation? Simple: they wrote more power ballads. Flesh & Blood features several instant classics such as the feel-good lewdness of "Unskinny Bop," the meaningful mournfulness of "Something to Believe In," to "Ride the Wind," an anthem for the ages; one that's quite possibly Poison's best track. Combine this with the appealing talent of guitarist C.C. Deville and drummer Rikki Rocket, flamboyant vocal performance of Brett Micheals, and the ever-present bass lines of Bobby Dall, and Poison easily demonstrated that they were for keeps. While the album as a continuum is a little on the weak side, the pure bliss of some of the best songs hair metal has to offer makes it a great listen. Just don’t expect too much replay value.
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