Stephen
The story of "Crack A Smile" actually began in around 1994, after "Native Tongue", but then their label decided to hold back the release until 2000 and instead tried to cash out from a greatest hits compilation in 1996. Richie Kotzen had been fired and Blues Saraceno filled in the position to give the album a different touch compared to the early Poison roots, but if you enjoy the more mature approach of "Native Tongue", then this album will also found a place in your heart easily.
Good thing about this, aside from the original twelve tracks, the label decided to throw in four extra tracks and also another four live unplugged session to make this a value catch. Several great tracks that I love is "Best Thing You Ever Had", continues the style from "Native Tongue" release; "Baby Gets Around A Bit", back with their typical naughty and groovy touch, slightly sounded like Enuff Z'Nuff which I like and Saraceno's solo is just stunning there; "Cover of Rolling Stone", a pretty nice cover song; "Be The One", a nice and smooth ballad; "Sexual Thing", which also appeared in their greatest hits compilation; and "No Ring, No Gets", splendid hard rock with a commercial chorus. "Face The Hangman" is a superb outtake from the classic "Open Up" and if you like that album, you might as well pick this one for that track alone.
The late release of Poison still greeted with a warm response by the fans, and even though looks like their time is up by the new millennium, "Crack A Smile" still able to broke into Billboard chart, and with many great set of songs, this one is an underrated gem and recommended for the fans.