Bret Michaels Custom Built
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Poison frontman Bret Michaels returns to the music scene with a solo effort Custom Built that captures the softer side of the Rock Of Love star. It is no secret that the Poison frontman has been through hell and back again this past spring surviving a brain hemorrhage that almost claimed his life. All the trials and tribulations of the rock star shed a new personal light of being on the road on Custom Built that make this release a must have album for all the die-hard fans, new and old.
Opening track “Riding Against The Wind” reflects the stress of being on the road. A lot of people think that being a rock star is a glamorous life. This song takes on the difficult setting of being away from loved ones while on tour. Bret Michael’s returns to his country roots with the hit single “Nothing To Lose” featuring Miley Cyrus. This is a great love gone wrong ballad. The heartache doesn’t end here. “Wasted Time” is probably the most personal song on this album as Bret sings,” Lately, I haven’t been feeling myself. There is a time to hurt and a time to feel.” All the party images of Poison and the rock star life fade showcasing a singer that has grown through life’s difficult experiences proving the singer is a true rock and roll warrior and a survivor of the greatest odds.
During Bret’s stint on Rock Of Love, the singer garnered a huge new audience of young fans. Some of the newer fans are not familiar with the Poison hits, and Custom Built features a new re-remake of the Poison ballad, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” This song fits in well with the country vibe.
The two songs that were played on Rock Of Love and Bret’s solo effort “Rock My World” including “Go That Far”, and “Driven” appear on the CD as remix dance hits. The two new disco versions don’t seem to go with the flow of the country theme; it would have been great to hear more original country tunes in place of these two recent hits.
Bret covers Sublime hit “What I Got” and this song rocks. Bret showcases his funky bluesy side. Bret takes on the subject of teenagers growing up and moving to the big city on “Open Road.” It is kind of a new take of the girl in “Fallen Angel” questing for fame but with a country twist.
The last song “I’d Die For You” is a fun song about life on the road. Custom Built is a great album to relax to and features Bret Michaels in country mode; a strong songwriter with songs that are written from the heart living through life’s experiences. The album features Bret as a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, and a performer who gives 100 percent onstage every night proving that music has great healing powers.
Regarding the album, Bret told Hardrock Haven, “The album has a lot of country tunes and every song contains a piece my heart.”
Genre: Country and rock
Members:
Bret Michaels – Guitar and vocals
Pete Evick – Guitar
Keyboards – Robi Wylde
Drums – Lucky Chucky
Bass – Dirty Ray
Custom Built – Track Listing
”Riding Against The Wind”
”Lie To Me”
”Nothing To Lose” (featuring Miley Cyrus)
”Wasted Time”
”What I Got”
”Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (country version featuring Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, Chris Cagle, Mark Wills)
”Go That Far” (Club Mix by Jason Miller of Godhead)
”Driven” (Rock Mix)
”Open Road”
”Rock N My Country”
”Nothing To Lose” (Bret-only demo)
”I’d Die For You”
Label: Poor Boy
www.myspace.com/bretmichaelsofpoison
Hardrock Haven Rating 8/10