When the band RATT is mentioned, people think “Another 80s glam band”. While it’s a fact that they found their first mainstream success in the early to mid 80s, the group began in the 70s under the name “Mickey Ratt”. In 1983 they lopped the “Mickey” out of their name to be known as RATT & in the same year they released “RATT” independently, which was a terrific album that brought the band a contract with Atlantic Records. It was then in 1984 the band released arguably their best record “Out Of The Cellar” which had simple lyrics, catchy hooks, a sharp guitar tone & sex as it’s theme. The album went on to sell over 3 million copies. RATT continued to release moderately successful records through to 1990 with their final album “Detonator”.

The “RATT Pack”:
Stephen Pearcy is the front man. He is regularly involved in the song writing and has a distinctive voice which sounds like a cross between Vince Neil of Motley Crue & Tom Keifer of Cinderella. He is backed up by a skilled group of musicians with Robbin Crosby (R.I.P) & Warren DeMartini on guitar, Jaun Croucier on bass guitar & Bobby Blotzer on drums. Together they were a well oiled rock n roll machine that had many great songs and legions of devoted fans.

This greatest hits package, RATT N ROLL 81-91, has 19 songs from the bands albums “RATT” through to “Detonator”. As with every greatest hit compilation some fans are going to disagree with certain songs that made it on, and in my opinion every song is at least good, so I’m not going to complain about the music. But I will complain about the lack of, uh, just about anything in the cover/leaflet. No band history, no notes of any kind except a list of the songs, the band line up and a special thanks section, so forget counting sheep, just read this boring leaflet if you can’t sleep and you’ll be out quicker then Courtney Love’s private parts on a late night talk show.

For our convenience, the songs are arranged in chronological order starting with two songs from their self titled independent release, Tell The World & You Think You’re Tough. Both songs are great rockers that’ll set the tone for the rest of the album. Up next we have 4 songs from “Out Of The Cellar”. The first is Round And Round, which anyone who paid even vague attention to the 80s rock scene should remember this song, that featured popish hooks while it still had enough power to kick you’re a$$ and make you bang your head in approval. Up next is Wanted Man which is a bit heavier and less pop orientated then the previous tune, which is followed by Back For More which is different again with its acoustic and electric guitar intro, which kind of confuses you about the direction the song will take (power ballad or rocker), thankfully it turned out to be a rocker (RATT usually aren’t good with ballads). Lack of Communication is a decent song at best, it takes a while to get into and even then…it still leaves you hanging.

Ok, now we are up to the “Invasion Of Your Privacy” section of the album. Lay It Down starts and ends heavy while keeping the RATT philosophy of “sex in a song sells” going strong. You’re In Love follows behind with a fantastic riff that plays through the majority of the song while the simple chorus of you’re in love hooks you in. The video to this song is also worth checking out. The album featured next in this greatest hits collection is “Dancing Undercover” which has 3 songs representing it. Those songs are Slip Of The Lip, Dance, & Body Talk. Dance is by far my favourite out of these three songs because of its awesome lyrics and a great melody. By this stage the band are showing signs of a more commercial approach which would increase with the next album, “Reach For The Sky”, which has Way Cool Jr. and I Want A Women. The former song has very bluesy guitar work and dare I say a hip hop vibe, while the latter is more RATT-esque with amusing lyrics and great hooks. Unfortunately it shows the band really softening their guitar tone around this time.

The next 5 songs are from the album “Detonator”, which has received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Long time fans saw this as the straw that broke the ratt’s back while newcomers liked the pop orientated nature of the songs. Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job is actually a great song that would be a big hit at parties if my friends weren’t so anti 80s. Shame Shame Shame is seen by most fans as corny but I think it is catchy and not as watered down as the rest of the album. Next up we have two borderline ballads in Givin’ Yourself Away & One Step Away which are both similar songs, but still retain some degree of catchiness. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose is a good song but requires about 2 or 3 listens before you get into it. The last song on this greatest hit album is Nobody Rides For Free which like the last song, require multiple listenings to get into, but it still closes the album on a good note.

Speaking in RATT:
“I woke up in the mornin', I'm still flat on my back, Couldn't move a muscle, like I had a heart attack, The night was wild and woolly, Didn't think I'd make it through it, 'Cause lovin' you's a dirty job, And I'm the man to do it”
- Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job

This compilation covers the career of RATT really well. Personally, the only change I’d make is switch Lack Of Communication with Scene Of The Crime, other then that I would keep it as it is. RATT’s music is consistently riddled with great riffs and sexual lyrics. The chorus to a RATT song is usually one line (usually the title of the song) repeated over and over to the main riff of the song. That in a nut shell is how one would describe the structure of a RATT song. If you like rock with complicated riffs and solos, check out Megadeth, but if you like just fun, party rock, RATT is a band well worth your attention, especially if you have a thing for the 80s.

Thanks for joining me as I discuss RATT N ROLL: 81-91.

RATT on!!

The Motley Kid


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