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Flesh & Blood was the third album by American hair metal band Poison (band).
The record was released on June 21, 1990 on the Enigma label of Capitol Records. It spawned the hits Unskinny Bop, Ride the Wind and Something to Believe In.
Musical style
The record arguably represented a significant growth in the sophistication of the bands song writing and in the depth of its lyrics. In particular the album is notable for revealing a growing sophistication in C.C. DeVille's guitar playing. The anthemic staccato double-stop riff in "(Flesh & Blood) Sacrifice", and fast arpeggiated groove in "Unskinny Bop" stood in stark contrast to the simple power chords which characterised the band's first two records. The instrumental piece "Swampjuice (Soul-O)", also revealed a new musical depth.
Production and marketing
The record was recorded and mixed at Little Mountain Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, with Canadian producer Bruce Fairbairn.
The front cover of the album featured the Poison logo and album title as a tattoo. The records marketing reflected the end of the more extreme elements Poisons glam image, including its excessive make-up and teased, girlish hair (see Look What the Cat Dragged In).
Songs
Parts of the record reflected a darker, more serious side to the band, touching themes such as hard times and overcoming them (Valley of Lost Souls, Life Loves A Tragedy", Come Hell Or High Water), missing loved ones (Life Goes On), long-term relationships (Dont Give Up and Inch, Ball and Chain), and disillusionment (Something to Believe In). The fun side of the band remained intact, however, in tracks dealing with sex ((Flesh & Blood) Sacrifice, Unskinny Bop), exhilaration from music or motorbikes (Let It Play, Ride the Wind), and (tongue-in-cheek) lack of money (Poor Boy Blues).
The meaning of "Unskinny Bop", one of the band's most popular songs, has always been shrouded in obscurity. Guitarist DeVille later confessed that the phrase "unskinny bop" has no particular meaning. DeVille invented it as a temporary measure while writing the song, before vocalist Bret Michaels had begun working on the lyrics. The phrase was used on the basis that it was phonetically suited to the music. The song was later played to producer, Fairbairn, who stated that although he did not know what an "unskinny bop" was, the phrase was perfect.
Track Listing
1. Strange Days of Uncle Jack
2. Valley of Lost Souls
3. (Flesh & Blood) Sacrifice
4. Swampjuice (Soul-O)
5. Unskinny Bop
6. Let It Play
7. Life Goes On
8. Come Hell or High Water
9. Ride the Wind
10. Don't Give up an Inch
11. Something to Believe In
12. Ball and Chain
13. Life Loves a Tragedy
14. Poor Boy Blues
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