Stand cover

Stand

Poison · 1993

18 min · 4 tracks · hard rock

Anthemic glam rock riffs blend with heartfelt balladry, showcasing both bravado and vulnerability in Poison's signature style.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Stand (CHR edit) — This radio edit exemplifies the album's central message of resilience and empowerment, underscoring Poison’s commitment to remaining relevant in a shifting musical landscape.
  • →
    Whip Comes Down — This track offers a gritty contrast to the more polished ballads, featuring hard-hitting riffs that highlight Poison’s roots in glam metal while showcasing lyrical depth.
  • →
    Native Tongue / Scream — Combining melodic hooks with a powerful vocal delivery, this song represents the band's attempt to evolve while retaining the catchy essence that defined their earlier work.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

35 /100
Lowland
Higher than 0% of albums we've rated

The record showcases Poison's blend of anthemic rock and balladry but lacks depth and cohesion across its short runtime.

What we noticed

  • The title track 'Stand' features a prominent anthemic chorus that repeats multiple times, emphasizing its sing-along quality.
  • The second track combines elements of hard rock with a slower tempo, creating a contrast to the opener's energy.
  • The final track is a repeat of the title track, which reinforces its thematic presence but may feel redundant in the context of the EP.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
5/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
4/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Represents a shift to a more mature sound post-commercial peak.
Themes
musical resilience· grunge-era struggle· heartfelt balladry
Career context
Released on January 4, 1993, Stand marked Poison's transition into a more mature sound following their commercial peak in the late '80s. This album came after their successful hits like 'Open Up and Say... Ahh!' and aimed to retain their relevance amidst changing musical landscapes dominated by grunge and alternative rock.
Stylistic neighbors
Mötley Crüe· Def Leppard· Cinderella

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Stand

    The chorus shifts to an inclusive call for unity, inviting listeners to join together despite adversity.

    This moment marks a departure from personal struggle to collective strength, positioning the song as an anthem for perseverance.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Stand (CHR edit) 4:23
  • 2 Native Tongue / Scream 4:50
  • 3 Whip Comes Down 4:05
  • 4 Stand 5:14

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata