For 18 years, he's been the voice of Poison. Now Bret Michaels steps into the solo spotlight with the release of Songs of Life, on Michaels's own Poor Boy Records. The best albums are a labor of love and the best music gives the audience a look into the songwriter's life and heart. This album does both in a big way. From the opening chord to the closing note, it shows you Bret Michaels in a very personal way, letting us glimpse his feelings on everything from his diabetes to his love of his daughter, from his lusts to his love of music.

The purpose of a lead singer putting out a solo album should be to say something musically that he is not able to within the confines of the band. What the public often recieves is a clone record of the band or a very poor attempt at something different musically. Neither of those cases applies to this album. What we are presented with is a very enjoyable and excellent collection of songs that are distinctly Bret Michaels and not Poison, yet the music is of the same caliber of the very best music that Poison has ever done. With the release of this album, Bret Michaels has proven that he can exist as a part of Poison or entirely on his own musical legs.

Menace to Society - A strong opening song about the need to not always follow the rules. This is something just about everyone can relate to. I've heard the lyrics are over 20 years old, but you'd never know it from listening to it.

Bittersweet - This is a great song about a best friend that steals his girlfriend and the aftermath. I can easily imagine this song on the radio. Time will tell on that.

Raine - This is the first single from the album and the video for it is included as part of the CD. Bret wrote this about his daughter and shows his love for her in every note and word. I can't imagine a more personal song than this. It's one of the best he's ever written, IMHO. It's also a very KEWL video.

Forgiveness - A simple ballad that doesn't need a lot of added effects. It's about the struggles of keeping a relationship going. I like it a lot.

Loaded Gun - A good old-fashioned rock song that has a lot of radio potential. The lyrics are the closest thing to what you'd expect to hear on a Poison tune, but no one would mistake the music for Poison. It's entirely Bret and that's a good thing.

Strange Sensation - A rock tune that makes you wanna dance. It's the kind of song that sticks in your head long after it ends and you'll be singing along by the second time you hear it. It seems to be about "voodoo punani."

Songs of Life - It's easy to see why this is the title track. One of the strongest tunes on the album, its a very straight-forward ballad. The lyrics are also a reflection of the way life plays out. If that doesn't make sense, just listen to the lyrics and it will.

One More Day - This is a very simple song musically: just acoustic guitar and vocals. But anything else would kill it. This beautiful ballad was written after September 11 and is very haunting.

I Remember - This rocker is all about the magic and power of music. Not too many people truly understand how powerful music can be in getting people through their life. From the lyrics of this song, Bret obviously does. It also gives you a glimpse into his life. It's one of the best on the album.

The Chant - Well, this seems to be some kind of rap or something along those lines. It really doesnt make any sense to me and the album would have been better off without it.

It's My Party - A song that stands for living life your own way and not worrying about what other people think. It's a very catchy song.

War Machine - An uptempo song to end the album. It has some pretty neat effects on it.

The album also has two bonus tracks Party Rock Band from the A Letter From Death Row movie soundtrack and Stay With Me, an acoustic ballad.

For more info about Bret Michaels or Poison, visit the sites below:
Bret Michaels
The Official Poison Website