Track Listing

1. Menace to Society
2. Bittersweet
3. Raine
4. Forgiveness
5. Loaded Gun
6. Strange Sensation
7. Songs of Life
8. One More Day
9. I Remember
10. Chant
11. It's My Party
12. War Machine
13. Party Rock Band [*]
14. Stay With Me [*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67334 in Music
• Brand: Michaels
• Released on: 2003-05-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
A decade after alternative rock and grunge took down big-haired glam metal like a wounded bear, the tables have turned: The victors now snarl double-time covers of Eagles songs for their corporate masters, while the vanquished soldier on via the former's indie label spirit. On the evidence of this debut solo release, Poison frontman Bret Michaels has also learned a musical trick or two from the competition--and a few contemporaries. "Menace to Society," "Bittersweet," and the bonus track, "Party Rock Band," bristle with Silverlake pop-punk energy, while the title track and "One More Day" evoke no less than the Heartland spirit of John Mellencamp. "The Chant" flirts briefly with rap-metal, while the tongue-in-cheek excesses of "It's My Party" evoke an unlikely shotgun marriage between thrash and Lesley Gore. But Michaels hasn't forgotten the slick, hook-laden ballads that helped make his fortune either, with the buoyant "Raine" (whose video is also included on this enhanced disc) and melancholy bonus cut "Stay With Me" displaying both solid craftsmanship and surprising range. If the album is ultimately as musically derivative as anything in the Poison catalog, it succeeds largely on Michaels's broader ambitions and willingness to push the stylistic envelope--as well as nick a few timely pop cues from the best. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Michaels knows what music is
This album by Bret Michaels complete with personal feelings, experiences and Michaels trips through life is better than I expected. When I read the reviews, I was having second thoughts about buying the album but I figured I loved Poison and Bret so much that I'd buy it anyways. I wasn't the least disappointed. 'Loaded Gun' is similar to Poison while songs like 'Forgiveness' is completely Bret, new, fresh and great sounding. Bret definitely has the talent when it comes to slow songs. 'Stay With Me' is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. 'One More Day' is about asking God to give him another day to live his life. 'Raine' is a song dedicated and written for his daughter, Raine Elizabeth, it's a sweet song. 'Menace To Society' shows Bret going into a more punk direction. This CD has it all and I love ever inch of it. 'Songs Of Life' is from start to finish a beautifully written about and it's a must for any Poison fan. Exceptional lyrics on the slow songs, awesome melodies and hooks, just brilliant from start to finish.

Songs Of Life, I get it!
What an awesome suprise. Bret Michaels is not just a Hotty. Since his heavy party stardom in the 80's, he has become an honest, balanced, sincere man- father- and yes...still a serious hotty (did you see those pictures?!)
This album "Songs of Life" is exactly that. Different parts of Bret's personality and life shared with the world. Still the sex GOD in "Loaded Gun" and "It's My Party", the comedian in "Bittersweet", and the amazing ballad writer that touched my heart with "Every Rose Has a Thorn" the ballads on this album are equal if not better. "Raine" and "One More Day" absolutely fill me with emotions that I have'nt felt from music in a very long time. His honesty and openess in his lyrics have reconnected his long time fans with who he is today. I guess we have all grown up. I would recommend this to not only Poison fans but anyone who loves great music.

YES! YES! YES!
this cd was like a breath of fresh air! I dont really find rock cds i like anymore not since the 80's died down.( this one and slaughter back to reality are the only two I really felt) but this cd was exactly what i wanted. Its just rock and roll, not trying to see how loud and obnoxious you can be or try to be someone youre not like most 80's bands have done. I saw some reviews which really disturbed me. 1st of all anyone who has ever met bret would be offended by him being referred to as a "poor human being" if you like his singing or not, because he is very genuine, the greatest, and anyone who feels that obviously hasnt met him and did not listen to the cd how could a poor human being write touching songs like raine, or forgiveness, or one more day, or stay with me? and as far as him not having much going on in the past decade, thats funny because i know ive been tightly packed in at poison concerts for MANY years now, and the place is just crazy. poison still puts on a great show, so great that i usually cant get enough and end up going to see them again in another town. and lets not forget the every rose guitar was entered in the rock and roll hall of fame last year. so i dont really think you could say he is trying to "salvage his career" because Poison and bon jovi are the only 2 "hair bands" i know of that can still fill arenas. not to mention Brets solo tour was awesome!!!! just to see the love in his face for the music. the energy of a man who you knew was there for the love of the music and his fans and nothing else. It was like watching a friend perform not a rock star. It was a beautiful thing and i am so glad i got to be a part of it, washed up? i think not! oh yes and the pittsburgh show sold out twice, cleveland was packed too. songs of life is a perfect title for this cd because listening to it you can tell its a very personal cd and i absolutely love it! not many new rock cds remain in my music rotation but this one does and slaughter "back to reality" because they are the only two ive bought that remind me of the rock and roll i fell in love with years ago. anyone who is a fan of bret michaels and rock and roll, scroll up right now and buy this cd:) alot of touching songs, fun songs and fast songs, its everything I expect from bret michaels and then some. A good quality cd and its a shame it doesnt get any air play because if more people knew it was out there im sure it would be huge.