Ditching most of their party anthems, as well as guitarist
C.C. Deville because he allegedly wasn't up to par,
Poison adds guitar whiz
Richie Kotzen and makes a bid for respect. Leader
Bret Michaels has decided to accentuate the populist strains of ballads like "Something to Believe In" throughout
Native Tongue. It often falls short --
Kotzen's playing is too proficient for the lite metal hooks that the rest of the band have mastered -- but
Poison gets points for trying, and they do come up with some tracks, like the single "Stand," that could stand with some of their previous anthems. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine