Pop pundits might contend that a Poison greatest-hits collection should be an EP. Yet despite jeers from critics, these glam-metal pretty boys produced big hits, filled arenas, and fueled MTV in the late '80s. And the open... more »ing track on this 18-cut compilation sets the record straight: "Nothing but a Good Time," indeed. From down 'n' dirty rockers such as "Talk Dirty to Me," "Look What the Cat Dragged In," and "I Want Action," to mega-ballads "Something to Believe In" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," this is a treat for those who like big hair and bigger hooks. Included are two previously unreleased songs, "Sexual Thing" and "Lay Your Body Down," the latter a lush, likable five-minute power ballad. One complaint: the song-by-song notes by singer Bret Michaels somewhat lack the pizzazz one anticipates from a band with such a colorful comportment. --Katherine Turman« less
Pop pundits might contend that a Poison greatest-hits collection should be an EP. Yet despite jeers from critics, these glam-metal pretty boys produced big hits, filled arenas, and fueled MTV in the late '80s. And the opening track on this 18-cut compilation sets the record straight: "Nothing but a Good Time," indeed. From down 'n' dirty rockers such as "Talk Dirty to Me," "Look What the Cat Dragged In," and "I Want Action," to mega-ballads "Something to Believe In" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," this is a treat for those who like big hair and bigger hooks. Included are two previously unreleased songs, "Sexual Thing" and "Lay Your Body Down," the latter a lush, likable five-minute power ballad. One complaint: the song-by-song notes by singer Bret Michaels somewhat lack the pizzazz one anticipates from a band with such a colorful comportment. --Katherine Turman
Ronald S. (Tony) from TULSA, OK Reviewed on 10/29/2009...
This is a great album with some very good selections.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Every Genre Has Its Poison
K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 02/03/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There's one in every family. You know, the kid who isn't that talented or intelligent, but manages to make it big time. In the hair band era, Poison was that kid. None of the songs on this disc are epic, but I bet that anyone reading this review can sing at least one of Poison's songs word-for-word.Their songs are just infectious. From "Unskinny Bop" to "Nothin' But a Good Time," Poison cranked out hits that just wouldn't go away. You were forced to tap your toes or bang your head to every song they put out. "Talk Dirty To Me" set teenagers across the globe into giddy abandon. Every song, with just a couple of exceptions, was pure, out-and-out fun. Poison looked like they had fun playing the stuff and the fans had fun listening to it.The exceptions were "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Something To Believe In." These songs showed that even the happiest kids on the block had a heart. Later songs(post "Flesh and Blood")seemed to signal the end of the fun days of Poison. As a matter of fact, "Flesh and Blood" was probably the last good album these guys put out.Listen to this album if you're still trapped in the boring gloom-and-doom days of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Poison knows how to have a good time, and this disc will definitely pick you up."
A Great Rock Band, Period.
C. Myrick | - | 05/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Poison never has and never will get critical praise, but they should. These guys have released tons of great FUN rock n' roll over the past 14 years...and they're not done yet. The guys had an awesome tour last summer that averaged well over 10,000 a show and are hitting the road again this summer. This album is a great warm-up for the Poison concert experience. Who cares if you like big hair? There are some great rock tracks on this Greatest Hits album. (Besides, the total glam image only lasted for their debut album anyway). The #1 Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Nothin But a Good Time, Fallen Angel, Talk Dirty to Me, ect. To me those songs will NEVER get old...and I can't wait for NEW material from the band. Keep checking the internet...God knows you won't hear of any new Poison release on the channel formerly known as Music Television. Kids out there need to discover Poison and music that you can have a good time to...this rap rock garbage just doesn't cut it."
A Top Notch Hits Collection
kingofrock379 | New York | 12/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is great. It hilights the career of one of the greatest bands to ever walk the face of the earth. I honestly can't say enough about Poison. Greatest Hits 1986-1996 is an excellent retrospective of their career. The album begins with the party rock anthem Nothin but a Good Time, this can be easily interpreted as Poison's answer to Rock and Roll All Nite by that other makeup wearing band. The next songs are two of their biggest hits, the song that put them on the map, Talk Dirty to Me, and Unskinny Bop. The next song is their biggest hit, Every Rose Has It's Thorn. The power ballad went to number one in 1988. It really is a great song. Fallen Angel is another party rock stadium ready anthem. I Won't Forget You is a power ballad off of their debut album. Stand is the only song representing the Native Tongue album which featured Richie Kotzen on guitar. This song like the whole album was nothing really exctitng. Ride the Wind is off of Flesh and Blood, it stays in the same style Poison's know for, and Cc DeVille's solo is excellent. The next songs are the concert favorites Look What the Cat Dragged In and I Want Action. These anthems are excellent songs that have stood the test of time. The next songs are both from Flesh and Blood. Life Goes On is another excellent power ballad and Sacrifice is a great rocker. Their first single Cry Tough is next. Even though the single bombed it still deserves a place on this album because it is an excellent song. The next track is a cover version of Your Mama Don't Dance which Poison made famous. The guitar solo in that song like every other Poison song featuring CC is amazing. So Tell Me Why is a studio track from Swallow this Live, the song is great, I wish that Poison would have recorded a whole album at the time they recorded this song because it probably woul've been great. The last of the greatest hits is the power ballad Something to Believe In. This was a really popular song and in my opinion a better song than Every Rose Has It's Thorn. The last two songs were bonus tracks at the time of the release. Sexual Thing and Lay Your Body Down feature Blues Saraceno on guitar. They were off of the shelved Poison album Crack A Smile which was eventually released in 2000 making these songs not bonus songs anymore. Either way this is a great compilation of the best songs from one of the best bands ever. I reccommend this to anyone who likes good music."
The Best EVER OF THE BEST, Poison
Doreen Fennhahn | New York USA | 12/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like I said the best from the best, Poison is my favortite "hair" band from the 80's and they were the best at what they did, make people rock and listen to some of the best music then and now! Poison is still going strong and if you like the 2 unreleased songs, then buy their new album thats coming out in 2000 sometime. Last note is that Poison RULES! -Cheers Sean"
All Poison's Good Ones Are Here
noashtray | 05/13/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you're not a huge fan of Poison to the point where you need all their albums and rarities like me, then this is the album for you. It's loaded with all of their hits such as "Every Rose Has Its Thorns," "Talk Dirty To Me," "Unskinny Bop," "Nothin' But A Good Time," "I Want Action," etc. There's even a few "new" extra songs that sound heavier and less poppy than the band's earlier material. This is a great collection for those of us who want to listen to Poison every so often without having to have five CD's we don't really want. Hair metal is definitely dead, but I must admit these songs are still fun to hear once in a while."