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Ratt, often said to be a typical 80's hairband, was really more than just that. The combined elements of lead vocalist Stephen Pearcy's unique rugged voice, Warren Demartini's crazy guitar riffs, and lots of greasy hair, gave Ratt the edge they needed to become a legendary band of metalists. This disc compiles ten years Ratt's finest tunes, although not ALL of them.
1. Tell the World- A very basic early metal song from the 1982(?) Atlantic Release. If you listen to this song a few times, you'll appreciate the catchy awesomeness.
2. You think you're Tough- Another track from the Atlantic Release. This is also a song that you may need to listen to several times to really enjoy it. NOTE: Pearcy still cranks this one out on his current solo tours.
3. Round and Round-Ratt's most famous song, from the album Out of the Cellar. A pretty original one, that any hair metal fan can sing along to. This was THE track launched Ratt into fame.
4. Wanted Man-A pretty good song from Out of the Cellar. Bon Jovi is credited for starting the whole western theme, but This song came out in '84, 2 years prior to Slippery When Wet.
5. Back for More-The third track off Out of the Cellar, the intro is packed full of power that pounds you, man.
6. Lack of Communication- Great anger-driven song. "Lack of communication, BACK OFF" The guitar sounds like something from Invasion of Your Privacy.
7.Lay it Down- Ratt's other only other chart-topping song. Sounds like classic Ratt.
8.You're in love-One of my favorites off of invasion of your privacy. Packed full of punch, and a nice chorous.
9.Slip of the Lip-A traditional song (off DACNING UNDERCOVER)with a 30 year old man singin about a 16 year old girl. Remember KISS also had a 16-year old song, Winger had 17, and the record-holder Motley Crue featured a 15-year old girl. Kinda gross, but its all in good spirits.
10. Dance- Track off DANCING UNDERCOVER. Makes sense with the name and all. Its a good kind of pop-ish, but still nice and heavy, like of Dancing Undercover. Oh, and its about Dancing.
11. Body Talk-A very outstanding song, featured in the Eddie Murpghy flick THE GOLDEN CHILD. "You make my body talk, when you're next to me."
12. Way Cool Junior- Excellent, fun jazzy song from Reach for the Sky in '87, complete with tap dancers and saxaphones. The main character, Way Cool Jr. is the new kid in town that scores with all the chicks.
13. I want a Woman- Self explanatory theme. The 2nd out of 2 songs on here from Reach for the Sky. Its a typical pop-metal 80's song, but all the better to listen to.
14. Lovin You's a Dirty Job- A pretty good song from the 1990 release DETONATOR. This song is fun, but has really weak lyrics. Excerpt: "You break my heart in pieces but I've got the glue to glue it...you put me through the ringer and hung me out to dry, you licked me off your fingers just like a piece of pie..."
15. Shame, Shame, Shame- Angry song. A really good song from Detonator about some lady that cheated on a dude.
16. Givin' Yourself Away- Powerful ballad song, sounds kinda like Jon Bon Jovi. Kinda funny since, Desmond Child produced this and also produced Bon Jovi.
17. One Step Away- In my opinion the best song off Detonator. A superb ballad that I listened to for probably 2 months strait.
18. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose- Another Ratt song, driven by old phrases. Jon Bon Jovi actually DOES the background vocals on here.
19. Nobody Rides for Free- The last song recorded before the band completely disbanded. Its an okay track that was on the Keanu Reeves movie POINT BREAK.
If you took enough time to read my review, you'd be a total idiot not to buy this CD. Just give it a fair listen and you'll love it.
RATT IS ONE MONSTER BAND ALONG WITH MOTLEY CRUE RATT RULED THE 80'S METAL SCENE STEVEN PEARCY IS A KILLER SINGER . RATT N' ROLL 81-91 IS SIMPLEY ONE OF THE BEST EVER GREATEST EVER IF YOU LIK RATT THIS THE ULTIMATE RATT ALBUM LONG LIV RATT .RATT IS ONE KILLER BAND!!!!!!!
Very recognizable "gravel-ish" vocals from Steven Pearcy, great riffs from Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby and solid back-up from Bobby Blotzer (sticks) and Juan Croucier (bass) propelled Ratt during the early 80's to a top rated Pop-Metal band. Their popularity waned by the early 90's as grunge became more popular. Fortunately, this album captures the best of their six major releases.
If you liked Ratt's music but didn't want to buy each of the first six of their albums, this one release covers nearly all of their best stuff. Big hits, Round and Round, Back For More, Lay It Down, You're In Love, I Want A Woman, Way Cool Junior and Lovin' You's A Dirty Job are all included. Plus there are some gems from the less popular releases later in their 10 year presence.
This album is the prime one from Ratt, followed by Out Of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy and Detonator. Go ahead, it's over an hour of great metal tunes and well worth the price!
This album has some of the very, very best 1980's guitar playing - mostly by the completely underrated Warren DeMartini, who has a technical proficiency, spark and melodic style that I think remain unmatched. His amazing solos are out of control with pure energy, but they're also tight in the groove, and never train-wreck as threatened. The man had a gift. Which, fortunately, was used on great, tasty songs with a memorable singer, and a compatible rhythm guitarist (Robbin Crosby). The band's chemistry worked. The only downside to this album is the slip into "formula" during songs 16-18 (plus a couple of borderline formula candidates) - which is unfortunate, as Ratt had plenty of good songs that never made the compilation. This temporary mediocrity probably wouldn't be nearly as noticeable if it weren't for the contrast with the raw, inspired tracks earlier in the album. But then track #19, Nobody Rides For Free, finishes off the collection with what has just become my favorite Ratt tune of all time. You can always program your player to skip the few tunes that don't belong here. Great album.
The music recorded on this album tells the story of Ratt while spanning the years "when heavy metal ruled the world". It starts off with classic early 1980's Ratt like Round and Round, Wanted Man, Back for More, Lay It Down, You're In Love, and You Think You're Tough. As the CD progresses, you are carried through the late eighties right into 1991 with songs from The Detonator, like Lovin' You's A Dirty Job and Shame Shame Shame. This CD is a wonderful tribute to one of the MOST metal bands of the 1980's as well as being, I believe, a wonderful remembrance to the all-to-short-but thoroughly-lived-life of Robbin Crosby.
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