Ratt are one of the
original bands to come out of the LA glam/pop metal scene in the early 80's.
They combined the pomp, attitude and drive of bands like Aerosmith
and mixed it all with the heavy metal guitar sound of Judas
Priest, at least at first.
Ratt (Time Coast Communication) 1983
1."Sweet Cheater"
(2:41)
2."You Think You're Tough" (3:56)
3."U Got It" (3:02)
4."Tell the World" (3:15)
5."Back for More" (5:16)
6."Walkin' the Dog" (3:36)
This was a lucky find. I found it for $7.99 at a small cd store in New Mexico. A quick check on eBay and a few other sources proved that it's become quite a collector's item, selling in the $35-$50 range.Wow! I debated selling it at that price, but the collector in me couldn't part with it. I'm sure I will regret it some day when this is re-released with a ton of bonus tracks. Anyhow, this is a killer HEAVY METAL disc. Every song rocks! "You Think You're Tough" became a hit for the band. "Back for More" re-appeared on "Out of the Cellar." "Walkin' the Dog" is a Rufus Thomas song that was made popular by Aerosmith. Ratt's version is very similar to Aerosmith's version.
Ratt-Out of the Cellar (Atlantic) 1984
1. "Wanted Man"
(3:37)
2. "You're in Trouble" (3:16)
3. "Round and Round" (4:22)
4. "In Your Direction" (4:22)
5. "She Wants Money" (3:30)
6. "Lack of Communication" (3:04)
7. "Back for More" (3:52)
8. "Morning After" (3:42)
9. "I'm Insane" (2:54)
10. "Scene of the Crime" (4:54)
Ratt, like Motley Crue, Stryper, and Cinderella took a heavy Aerosmith influence and combined it with the staccato guitar-picking style of Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton and KK Downing. This was the bands first major label release after releasing a very succesful EP. It was also their most successful album. They scored a huge radio and MTV hit with "Round and Round," the record was very consistent and also spawned minor hits with "Wanted Man", "Back for More" and the excellent "I'm Insane". "Lack of Communication" is also an excellent Judas Priest style metal tune and one of the heaviest on the album. There were a ton of bands that sounded like this by the mid-80's but RATT was one of the originators and this album is one of the better from the scene. Got my CD copy in an internet trade.
Ratt-Invasion of Your Privacy (Atlantic) 1985
1. "You're in Love"
(3:12)
2. "Never Use Love" (3:54)
3. "Lay It Down" (3:23)
4. "Give It All" (3:19)
5. "Closer to My Heart" (4:30)
6. "Between the Eyes" (3:54)
7. "What You Give Is What You Get" (3:47)
8. "Got Me on the Line" (3:04)
9. "You Should Know by Now" (3:29)
10. "Dangerous But Worth the Risk" (3:30)
For years I ignored anything
Ratt did after "Out of the Cellar" mostly due to an insipid attitude
I had about "hair bands." For the life of me I can't figure out why.
'Invasion of Your Privacy' is really much more of the same, some reviews even
saying it was "Out of the Cellar Part II." On close examination, this
isn't a bad label because 'Invasion" is a solid album filled with solid
heavy metal songs that are given a pop sheen by an overpolished 1980's studio
sound. Had this album been less polished and the
guitars allowed to be up front, it would be quite apparent that the heavy riffs
were indeed there. Warren De Martini shreds on this album and proves that there
is more to being an LA band than just leather, lace and hairspray. Bobby Blotzer
also does some fine work behind his kit. This album spawned a bunch of MTV hits.
"You're in Love", "Give it All", "Between the Eyes"
and "Lay it Down" all seeing regular rotation on the radio in 85.
Ratt-Dancing Undercover (Atlantic) 1986 
1. "Dance" (4:17)
2. "One Good Lover" (3:06)
3. "Drive Me Crazy" (3:42)
4. "Slip of the Lip" (3:15)
5. "Body Talk" (3:44)
6. "Looking for Love" (3:09)
7. "7th Avenue" (3:11)
8. "It Doesn't Matter" (3:08)
9. "Take a Chance" (4:000
10. "Enough Is Enough" (3:23)
Ratt had gone for a totally overproduced pop metal sound by this disc, although there certainly are some fine rockers on this disc. The Ratt 'n' roll gems on this disc are the lead single "Dance" and "It Doesn't Matter." While the guitars seem to be tones down, Pearcy seems to have a better mix on this disc than ever before, sounding a tad more raw and raunchy. However, comparing this disc to everything the band had done up to this point, it just doesn't have the same aggression.
Ratt-Reach for the Sky (Atlantic) 1988
1. "City to City"
(3:31)
2. "I Want a Woman" (3:59)
3. "Way Cool Jr." (4:27)
4. "Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds" (3:09)
5. "I Want to Love You Tonight" (4:27)
6. "Chain Reaction" (3:43)
7. "No Surprise" (4:03)
8. "Bottom Line" (4:23)
9. "What's It Gonna Be" (4:07)
10. "What I'm After" (3:36)
"Reach for the Sky" is a bit more pop in nature, but as with 'Invasion of Your Privacy' this is still a solid rockin' cd. The Aerosmith vibe is really heavy throughout. Really though, this just sounds like Ratt. I can't imagine anyone not liking this cd if they like "Invasion" and "Out of the Cellar." One thing for sure, these guys know how to write a hook. If I am not mistaken "Way Cool Jr." was a hit for the band. "No Surprise" is NOT the Aerosmith song of the same name, although that would have been really cool to hear.