You Were Robbed – Ratt

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

After getting thrust into the limelight in 1984 with their remarkable full-length debut, “Out of the Cellar”, the L.A. based band Ratt struggled throughout the 80s to maintain that phenomenal out-of-the-box success. The efforts were mixed commercially speaking, but one thing is for sure: they built a devoted fan base that loved what they have termed Ratt N Roll. The fifth album, 1990’s “Detonator” was probably the most polarizing release the band made in their history to that date. Produced by Sir Arthur Payson, and bringing in monster AOR songwriters like Desmond Child and Diane Warren, represented a shift from the raw rock of their early days to a more radio-friendly melodic style. The album performed well, but this one should have been a huge crossover comeback for the band.

I think the album would have done even better had it not been for the two lead off singles, “Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job” and “Shame Shame Shame”. They are what you’d expect from Ratt, but weren’t exciting or catchy enough to compete with the droves of hairbands fighting for airtime.



While perfectly good tracks, there are much stronger songs here that I believe would have charted well and pushed “Detonator” into the stratosphere. There was no one hotter than Bon Jovi at the time, so I am puzzled why his duet with Ratt on “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” was not released as a lead single. This song is crazy infectious and Jon Bon Jovi’s guest vocals are brilliant.



Then there is the song, “One Step Away”, which contains one of the best choruses to grace a Ratt song, featuring a sugary sweet melody and some amazing harmonies.



Arena-ready power ballads were also ubiquitous on radio and MTV in the late 80s, and “Detonator” contained a whopper in “Givin’ Yourself Away”.



This record pretty much spelled the end for Ratt as most people remember. However, there was a reunion in 2009 that led to the recording of “Infestation”, which for many recaptured the essence of the band’s early days of Ratt N Roll.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

RATT "Out Of The Cellar" (1984)

From the frantic prowling of "Wanted Man" to the blasting celebration of "Round and Round", Ratt epitomized the glam metal breakthrough in 1984. The twin guitar attack of DeMartini-Crosby and the slutty sleazy voice of Pearcy established a new genre called Ratt n' Roll. "Lack of Communication" has their trademark dirty rhythm and "Back For More" is so freakishly addictive, you’ll want to keep coming back for another listen. Other worthy tracks that were estranged and buried six feet under are "The Morning After", "She Wants Money", and "Scene of The Crime".

Going triple platinum is not an easy task but they sealed it - and thankfully they went big and positioned many newer bands…otherwise glam wouldn’t have lasted that long. Seeing Crosby's long time girlfriend Tawny Kitaen crawling in her lusty torn lingerie actually made it easier to spot this record in the local store. A truly influential album that you have to buy and listen to before you die!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Ratt "Infestation"

Ratt is back with their seventh studio album, "Infestation". After going 'round and round' with original lead singer Stephen Pearcy, the rest of the current Ratt line-up (Warren DeMartini, Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot), Robbie Crane, and Bobby Blotzer) were able to let bygones be bygones. The guys were aiming for their hey day on this one, shooting for songs that could fit in-between their landmark 80s records "Out Of The Cellar" (which spawned their biggest hit, 1984's "Round and Round") and "Invasion Of Your Privacy".

"Infestation" recalls many elements of Ratt's past, but is somewhat updated. While the songwriting and lyrical content sound dated, the guitars sound pretty modern. In my mind, it is Pearcy's distinctive growl that really makes Ratt sound like Ratt. He doesn't sound like he's aged at all - in fact, all of the guys sound great after all these years and deserve an A for effort. The record is big fun, with loud guitar, sleaze, and mostly uptempo rockers.

What is missing here, though, are the memorable hooks that made their classic tunes so awesome. Some of the more commercial tracks could be considered modern day "hits" for Ratt - these are stacked right at the beginning of the CD. The blistering opener, "Eat Me Up Alive" suggests the boys are back with a vengeance, breathing fresh air into a sound that is a clear nod to their "Out of the Cellar" days. "Best Of Me" is the most radio-friendly anthem, and my favorite tune from "Infestation" - it would have fit comfortably on their underrated "Detonator" record. "A Little Too Much" is another fun track with a catchy riff and shout out loud chorus, but the record largely goes downhill after this, with a long string of mediocre hard rock songs that can be summed up as "comes close, but no cigar". In short, Ratt proves they can still rock, but by and large they left the melodic part out.

Fans of Ratt and their fellow 80s rock bands will appreciate the references of the era peppered into the songs here, including a subtle shout out to Van Halen's "Dance the Night Away" tucked into "Last Call", and the mentioned of "Wanted Man" in "As Good As It Gets".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3

Ratt on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Best Of Me" here.

Review: Saints of the Underground "Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner"

Saints of the Underground (a.k.a. S.O.T.U.) is Bobby Blotzer (Drums), Keri Kelli (Lead Guitar), Jani Lane (Vocals), and Robbie Crane (Bass Guitar). You know these guys better from Ratt, Alice Cooper, Warrant, and Vince Neil before Ratt again, respectively. Sounds promising, right?

S.O.T.U. started as a cover band, so it is no surprise that there are a couple remakes here. I'd rather have more originals, because subtracting the two cover tunes leaves us with only 8 new songs (some of which were actually written a long time ago by some of these guys). Their remake of "American Girl" by Tom Petty is nothing to write home about. Any version of that tune that does not make you replay the scene from Fast Times in your head...well, what's the point? The other cover is of the Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile" and it does even less for me than the original. I also thought "Jimmy" was a Thin Lizzy cover, but this one is an old Jani Lane tune that Warrant never put on a record.

So how about the originals? Well, the only thing bad about them is that there are only eight! Yes, I was pleasantly surprised...these guys can still write and perform top notch rockers and I am dumbfounded why they are wasting time doing other artist's material. Their own songs have plenty of kick, hooks, and harmonies to go around...and I can only hope the follow up has more originals. These guys have an exciting and dynamic chemistry that truly makes them sound like their own outfit rather than a shaken and stirred blend of their day job bands. My top three include "Dead Man Shoes", "Exit", and "Bruised".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

S.O.T.U. on MySpace.

Rare CD: Ratt "Ratt" 1983 EP

This is a nice little gem of a CD for fans of early 80s rock, and a cool glimpse of what Ratt was like before they made the big time with their huge cross-over hit "Round and Round" (from 1984's "Out of the Cellar").

From Wikipedia:

In July 1983 the band released an EP on their independent record label Time Coast. With the self-titled Ratt EP, the band began to draw public attention from outside of Southern California. It contained the hit "You Think You're Tough". Also included was a cover of "Walkin' the Dog"; originally a hit for Rufus Thomas in 1963. Ratt's version was a nod to Aerosmith, who had included a cover of the song on their influential first album in 1973. The track "Back for More" that appeared on the EP was a slightly different version of the one that appeared on their follow-up Out of the Cellar. The EP was a success, selling over one million copies (though it has been out of print for many years and is today considered a rare and valuable collectors' item).

Track listing:

1) Sweet Cheater
2) You Think You're Tough
3) U Got It
4) Tell the World
5) Back for More (Original Version)
6) Walkin' the Dog

A copy sold on ebay recently for just $41...I've seen it go for much higher, sometimes $70.

UPDATE (10-25-07): Another sells on ebay for $58.50.

UPDATE (11-3-07): Another goes for $71!

UPDATE (11-23-07): WOW...another goes for over $102.50!

UPDATE (3-14-08): Another sells for $78.00 on ebay (17 bids)

Rare CD: Laurence Archer, Tesla, Ratt

Some highlights from the July 12 post over at Heavy Metal Addiction.

Laurence Archer - LA (1986) ends at $402!

Tesla - Real To Reel Vol. 2 (2007) gets 34 bids and ends at $120!

Ratt - Dancing Undercover (1986) Japanese pressing is a final at $103.60!