Label: Atlantic
Year: 1984
Home: Los Angeles, California
Members: Stephen Pearcy ~ vocals
Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini ~ guitars/b. vocals
Juan Croucier ~ bass/b. vocals
Bobby Blotzer ~ drums
Ratt had been around for awhile, but hasn't always gotten the credit as a first generation L.A. hair metal due to the timing of their debut full length album Out Of The Cellar. That is too bad ... luckily for them they came out the door with this near '80's masterpiece to cement their place in history. If you love '80's hair metal & either don't own this album or have not heard it, than you've missed an album that is a right of passage. You likely know the hit "Round & Round", with its iconic MTV video, but if you haven't heard the rest of the album than you're missing a classic album. In the days since controversies might have marred their reputation, but back in the day Ratt was huge & everyone loved them. The band had already done an EP, thus they had a chance to work on their sound by the time of their formal full length debut. Any band would kill for a debut this strong. Ironically, the follow-up is considered even better by some fans, but this album instantly put them on the map. Steven Pearcy's vocals might be considered whiney by some, but his vocals are instantly recognizable & different in a sea of screaming tenors. The guy had high pitched singing voice, but didn't scream or go into tenor like so many of his peers. He also had an arsenal of great lines to sing, whether they were his lyrics or from his bandmates. The riffs are huge & memorable, with solos to match. For example, the opening of "Back For More" with the bass, guitars & drums just launch into a huge opening that will blow your speakers up. Ratt had two great guitarists with different styles. The late Robbin Crosby was wild, while Warren DeMartini threw in little nuances that often get missed by non-musicians but put him in the higher echelons of players. While the band had a strong rhythm section up there with Van Halen, featuring bassist/songwriter Juan Croucier & drummer Bobby Blotzer. Check out Juan's playing on "Back For More" & his slides on "The Morning After" that give both songs a drive. The album is also full of hits, kinda like Nirvana's Nevermind or Electric Light Orchestra's A New World Record, where its one great song after another & the weak points are almost not talking about. More importantly, these aren't hits because they were played on the radio & Billboard decided they were hits, but because they are genuinely great songs that instantly grab you. I'm a huge Ratt fan & love Stephen solo stuff. I'm proud of that fact & the band is worth my adoration. If you're not a fan or don't know their music, what are you waiting for? Also to note, the late Tawny Kitaen is the cover model, who is famous for also appearing in the Whitesnake videos. She was Robbin's girlfriend at the time.
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