Two for two on reviews coming out of the Suggestion Box today. Follower Ashley wanted me to investigate my take on BBD's Poison from way back in 1990. Well, I was 6 when this came out - so I don't naturally recall how big this was back in the day. I do recall my sister playing 'Poison' over and over again as I think she had the cassette single. That track is really what Ashley wanted me to go into detail on - so I will - but of course I do full albums, so I'll give my take on that too. If you didn't know, BBD stemmed from the band New Edition. Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill went solo, and the three kids (Bell, Bivins and Devoe) decided to start their own threesome group. Their sound is labeled the pioneer of the "New Jack Swing" movement that took place in the early '90s. (well, maybe late '80s too). This means acts combined hip hop, soul, funk and pop music into something new and fresh. And if you think about it, you had a bunch of artists follow suit with this brand of music shortly thereafter. Tony Toni Tone comes to mind right away, even a couple Boyz II Men tracks and All-4-One. What's crazy about this release, was BBD was backed by some of the hardest rap acts of all time - Public Enemy to get on the MCA label. This album is a pretty sick 4x platinum - which is really good for that time and this brand of music. 'Poison' is if nothing else - extremely catchy - but I think it's more than that. If you forced me to listen to 'New Jack' for hours and hours on end - right before I blew my brains out, I'd tell you that 'Poison' would be the hardest hitting track of the genre. I think it's got staying power because of the lyrical content. The Jackson 5 pioneered bubblegum pop combined with R&B, and this is a total break from that. If you sit down and listen to what BBD is saying, it's actually a pretty solid track. It's probably the only track with any real substance, with the exception of what I intend to put as my #2 i the illustrious Top 3. I think most of you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with this one today. If you want to take it a step further, listen in detail. Think about if this is something you'd even give a chance given your change in musical palette. Turn off your nostalgia meter for a few minutes and listen to what they're talking about. Maybe you'll think about it differently tomorrow. Happy Monday B Siders!
TRACK LISTING:
1. Dope!
2. B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?
3. Let Me Know Something
4. Do Me!
5. Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny (Word to the Mutha)
6. Poison
7. Ain't Nut'in' Changed
8. When Will I See You Smile Again?
9. I Do Need You
10. Poison (Extended Club Version)
Listen To Samples
Top 3 Tracks:
1. Poison
2. When Will I See You Smile Again?
3. Do Me!
FINAL RATING:
2.75 out of 5 stars
Hahahaha.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review B. As I said in the suggestion, my mom wanted me to find that song for her. I'm glad she did because quite frankly I forgot all about it. Not to parrot what you said but your right, Poison was at the base of the whole New Jack revolution and many groups and individual artists followed suit.
That song is still refreshing when I hear it. I just like that it's uptempo but not too much, and the content. "Never trust a big butt and a smile." Ohh man, that pretty straight forward but has a ring of truth. Not to say that a "...big butt and a smile" is ALWAYS misleading but it's not everything to a woman.
2.75 is a little harsh, lol 2.76 maybe :)
I enjoyed this one. Sometimes it's easy to forget about "hip hop" from the late '80s/early '90s. I don't identify with it very much, so I hardly ever listen to it. It's a nice throwback every now and again though.
ReplyDeleteHaha...well, I had it at 2.8 - but had to round down since I only do quarter points. So - sure, I'll agree. =)
'never trust a big butt and a smile' is my all time favorite lyric OF ALL TIME. yes. of all time.
ReplyDeleteand 'do me'.... i can't hear that song without thinking of the richard cheese version. cheese has that effect on songs.
also, i did the running man to 'poison' on saturday night.
ReplyDeleteGreat line, solid song.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I have the Dick Cheese version. I'll have to look it up.
Wow, that must have been quite the sight!