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Look What the Cat Dragged In

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Untitled

Look What the Cat Dragged In was the debut album of American glam metal band Poison.

The record, which was released on August 2, 1986 on the Enigma label of Capitol Records, spawned the hits "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", "I Won't Forget You", and the title track.

Musical style

Described by Revolver Magazine as "oversexed, underthought, and relentlessly fun"[1] the album's style is often described as "glam metal" and was strongly influenced by East-Coast bands such as KISS, Aerosmith and Kix. It is a sound dominated by simple distorted power chords and catchy melodies. Reflecting a period before the band's music began to take on the influence of Californian, Van Halen styled stadium rock, the album is characterised by more traditional rock and roll sounds.

Production and marketing

The record was described by vocalist Bret Michaels as a "glorified demo". It was recorded at Music Grinder Studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ric Browde in 12 days, for a cost of $US 23,000; part of which was funded from the pockets of band members and their families.

Browde and sound engineer Michael Wagener found recording with Poison to be a difficult process. According to Browde, percussionist Rikki Rockett appeared unable to maintain a steady beat, while Michaels had difficulty in singing in key. Browde resorted to splicing multiple takes together in order to obtain a workable recording, resulting in what Wagener described as the "zebra tape".[2]

Wagener, who mixed the record in five days, would later describe his involvement in the project as "one of the big mistakes of my life".[3]

The front cover of the album featured the members of Poison at their most "glam", with each sporting excessive make-up, thick girlish hair, and the pouting "kiss" pose which was to become a Poison trademark. It may or may not have represented a loose parody of the cover of the The Beatles' Let It Be.

This album came out the same day as Cinderella's album Night Songs

Themes and tracks

The album’s themes are ambition ("Cry Tough"), lust ("I Want Action", "Want Some, Need Some"), sexual frustration ("Blame It On You"), love lost ("I Won't Forget You"), and, most importantly, anti-social behavior ("No. 1 Bad Boy", "Look What the Cat Dragged In", "Let Me Go To The Show" and "Play Dirty").

The hit song "Talk Dirty to Me" was written by guitarist C. C. DeVille prior to his joining the band. DeVille played it to Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall during his audition for the role as the band's guitarist. Talk Dirty To Me has been covered by Children of Bodom.

Track listing

  1. "Cry Tough"
  2. "I Want Action"
  3. "I Won't Forget You"
  4. "Play Dirty"
  5. "Look What the Cat Dragged In"
  6. "Talk Dirty to Me"
  7. "Want Some, Need Some"
  8. "Blame It On You"
  9. "#1 Bad Boy"
  10. "Let Me Go To The Show"

Bonus tracks on the 20th anniversary remaster:

  1. "I Want Action" (single version)
  2. "I Won't Forget You" (single version)
  3. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" (Jim Croce cover)

Singles

  • Cry tough / Look What The Cat Dragged In - August 5, 1986 - Enigma 5656
  • Talk Dirty To Me / Want Some Need Some - February 18, 1987 - Enigma 5686
  • I Want Action / #1 Bad Boy - May 20, 1987 - Enigma 44004
  • I Won't Forget You / Blame It On You - August 5, 1987 - Enigma 44038

References

  1. ^ Revolver Magazine, April 2005, at 75.
  2. ^ Konow, D: "Bang Your Head", Three Rivers Press, page 267.
  3. ^ As above.
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