The Hollyweird Reviews

New Album Shows Glam is Still Alive

As most people know, glam rock is simply not as popular as it once was. It is quite a shame that such a genre is gone, not gone but misplaced as most of the fans like me need a little action in their music these days. And, No, TEENIE BOPPER rock does not count as glam. So when Poison announces the creation of a new album, Hollyweird, naturally any rock fan or Poison fan would be inclined to pick it up. However, what you would normally expect from a Poison album, or any glam album for that matter is simply not the case with Hollyweird. Don't get me wrong, the album is a nice rock album, but it just does not feel like the same album that one would be accustomed to hearing. There are three key elements to any glam album. The first key ingredient is Hard Rock. The second is known as glamification. The third and final element is called A BALLAD. With out those elements, an album will just seem a little flat and out of balance. And that is the case with Hollyweird. The album, which is their first full length studio album since 1994, combines the speed guitar of C.C, the raw talent of Bret Michaels, the pounding drums of Rikki Rockett, and the thumping bass of Bobby Dall. Put together, the album is one of the top, heavy, pounding albums of the year. Each song is different and distinct with some songs sounding like the classic Poison of Yesteryear and the other songs sounding like a Modern Rock album that you would see on TRL. The Poison of yesteryear still sounds clean and crisp with just the subtle hint of the album Flesh and Blood. Those songs are just so powerful and wonderful to listen to in a day when Britany and N' Crap rule the air waves. The other songs, however, are so unique that first time listeners may be a little thrown off by the unusual sound. The songs are still fine but are just not the same as the Poison sound we heard in the past. Actually, it reminds me of some of those bands that you hear on your local Teen Rock station. However, what the album REALLY lacks is the third ingredient, the Ballad. There is no ballad on this record, no trademark "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" type song and because of that, the album just does not feel right. It's like having sex with a blow up doll, no emotion. That above all made the album flat and just does not compare to albums of yore. All in all, Hollyweird may not be what you were expecting, but the album is still a good toe tapping, glam, slam, album and worth buying, at least until the new Cinderella album comes out. It is worth buying, but beware you will have to listen to it quite a few times before you can really appreciate it. So, to some things up....3 out of 5 stars. Good, but not quite there.

By: Seth Lessans