Customer Reviews

Ratt

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is a great album all around, and a must have if you're an old time Ratt fan because it's probably one of their best together. It most definetly brings back the Ratt sound. Warren DeMartini is soulful as ever, his playing is infectious and he proves again and again what a great guitar player he is. Listen to "Tug of War" and you'll know.
It takes a little to get used to this album though, it's not the raw, raunchy old times Ratt people are used to. This is toned down, it's layed back and it doesn't try to impress, it just delivers. The lyrics are inspiring, they are mature, and they reflect the maturity of the band as well. They make you think like in "Live for Today", make you contemplate like in "We Don't Belong", and give you a jolt of adreanaline from falling in love like in "Luv Sick".
Stephen's Arcade albums were good but this is much better. After listening to this album over and over again, I realized what a unique sound this band has, between Stephen's voice, Warren's unique style of guitar playing and Bobby's drums, that chemistry combined together reminds us what made them successful for so many years.

Thank God! Finally a band from the 80's comes back not trying to sound like alt-rock or hiphop. This lp rocks, I can't wait to see them in concert.Bobby proves he's a helluva drummer check him out on 'Breakout'. Pearcy voice gets better with each new release from Ratt. DeMartini, should be given an award, the most underrated guitarist comes through again. And newcomer Robbie Crane shows he belongs in Ratt. The thing I've loved most about Ratt over the years is that aura of confidence. You know when you grab a Ratt album, your gonna get rock. Ratt never sold-out to "half of the album is rock ballads" but they always provided fans with that classic one ballad per album like 'I Want To Love You Tonight', 'Given Yourself Away' and now 'We Don't Belong'. THE BAD BOYS FROM L.A. IS BACK!

I'm a guy who grew up in the 80's,and bands like Motley Crue,Ratt,Poison,etc.I must say that this new Ratt cd is the best hard rock album in years,and the best Ratt cd since "Dancing Undercover".The lyrics are decent,and Stephen Pearcy sounds to be in peak voice.Warren is a little more reserved than in the past.I guess he's already proven how fast he is,now he seems to have found a cool tone and a more relaxed style.Bobby Blotzer is great as usual on drums.These guys are one of the most underrated bands ever.It's too bad Pearcy had to leave the band again.Ratt(portrait)is the best album I have heard in ages.Check out Over The Edge,Gave Up Givin'Up,Luv Sick and So good,So Fine.The whole disc is solid,but those are my faves.Ratt has managed to stick to what they do best,while coming up with a more modern sound.If you like great,stylish hard rock,then pick this one up.It's definetly worth the money.

I must say that this cd, the first Ratt STUDIO album in some 9-10 years (since 1989), is much better than their 1997 rarities cd "Collage." There are some strong songs on this one, some of the strongest of their career believe it or not, however, Steve Pearcy's voice does get grating after multiple listens. There truly isn't a horrible song on this disc, they are all good and none slide into mediocrity like some of the filler tracks on earlier Ratt discs.

However, I feel they really should have convinced long-time bassist Juan Croucier to come back. Robbie Crane is adequate, but this cd lacks some of the thumping bass from previous Ratt albums. A lot of outsider songwriters write on this one and Bobby Blotzer, the drummer, makes his first songwriting contribution. Due to having too many cooks in the kitchen, the album never cuts loose much with sleazy or aggressive riffs like past albums. The only two aggressive songs are "Dead Reckoning" which while one of the better songs on the disc, the guitar riffs sound forced and polished, similar to Lenny Kravitz's cover of "American Woman." The other song with aggressive riffs is "So good, so fine" and those riffs sound genuine but it also is the weakest song on a very good disc. "We don't belong" is a great Aerosmith-style ballad that has the same sentiment as "Don't go away mad" by Motley Crue in where it tells a former lover to kiss off, my personal favorite on the disc. "Over the edge" and "Live for today" were the two singles and both are decent anthem type songs and the best sing-along songs on the cd.

"All the way" is an underrated gem and should be a favorite album track of Ratt fans for years to come. "Tug of war" is an almost-ballad where Stephen sounds the best, great chorus and verses and the song is classic Ratt and suits his voice well. "Gave up giving up" and "Breakout" are slightly more generic than the rest. "Luv sick" sounds like it came from the 'Out of the cellar' cd, a very pleasant surprise and one of my favorite rocking tunes on the disc.

"Live for today" even has an intro similar to "Back for more" Maybe to try and rekindle past fortunes, perhaps? Bobby Blotzer and Warren DeMartini boast a fine rhythm section on guitar and drums respectively. Ratt diehards should pick this one up, it's not quite "Round and round" but the lack of balls to the wall aggression can rightfully be blamed on the fact that there was only one guitar player on this disc, Ratt was known for being a five-piece band but there were only four members on this record.

Couldn't wait to get my hands on Ratt's new disc and now can't get it out of my player. The CD is solid from top to bottom, not a bad song on it. The CD incorporates Ratt's trademark sound with touches of older bluesy Aerosmith. I can't pick a single song as my favorite because the whole CD simply ROCKS!!! Stephen's voice is as strong as it's ever been and Warren does his usual terrific blues style shreading throughout the entire CD. After spending much of my hard earned cash on recent offerings from other 80's hard rock bands, all of which I've listened to once and quickly shelved along side my other music purchasing mistakes, I've finally hit pay dirt with this one. My suggestion: Plunk down 15 bucks and buy this one, you won't be disappointed.

The new album is great! Over the Edge, Luv Sick, and So Good So Fine are my favorites. The album could use one or two more uptempo songs as most are midtempo, but Warren DiMartini's guitar work is outstanding. The Blotz is solid on the drums as usual, and Pearcy's vocals are solid as well. Pearcy voice sounds deeper/more throaty than in the early RATT albums and there is less use of reverb on his voice causing it to sound deeper.

This album is an evolution of RATT's sound to a slightly more modern sound, and Warren;s guitar work focuses less on raw speed and more on musicality.

This album is a must buy for any RATT / 80s rock fan.

This is a solid RATT album. It sounds like RATT, but new songs from RATT. This band has always had solid musicianship, and this album is no exception.

Over the Edge, Live for Today, and Luv Sick get stuck in my head all the time. They're very memorable songs. Stephen's vocals sound great, and Warren's guitar playing is amazing as always.

It is a new album, not a re-hash of their older material. The songs are a little grittier, but not any less powerful.

If radio would've played the singles, this would've been a huge hit. If you like any of the old RATT albums, or if you're a rock fan in general, get this cd. You won't be disappointed.

I've liked Ratt since 1984 when in 7th grade I had a cassette tape of "Out of the Cellar." I thought their follow up albums were ok (except Detonator, which I really enjoyed) but this latest go around with Ratt is solid! Strong songs, good playing. I do miss Robin Crosby and his solid rhythm playing and blusey leads. God bless him in his battle with AIDS. Worth picking this one up.

RATT has never "gone away" but they HAVE had stretches between releases. There CAN be some confusion in that this is a NEW 1999 release under Portrait/Columbia records, NOT a re-release of the 1983-84 album with the same title of "RATT". RATT has always been a pretty consistent, fun, melodic hard rock band. This 1999 release is definitely a highlight in their career. All the tracks are solid, everything and more than you would expect from RATT. The lyrics and the overall feel of the album are more mature. It is yet another great example of a band that has stayed true to their style and yet developed and grown with the times. If you are a fan of "RATT N' ROLL" as the die hard RATT fans like to call it, this album is an absolute MUST. If you're a fan of the melodic hard rock, "Heavy Metal" bands in general, you should probably take a look at some of your other favorite bands. A LOT of them have recent releases. Need a memory jog? After you add this title to your shopping cart, click on over to my home page on Amazon. I have many of the bands reviewed and most of the bands at least mentioned that a fellow RATT fan might find interesting.

Ratt is one of my most favorite bands.Everytime I listen to them I feel good! This new album from them(on Portrait records) is very solid and great all the way through. Warren DeMartini's guitar roars, yet is smooth like always..and Stephen Pearcy's vocals get better with every new album. My favorite tracks from it are "We Don't Belong", "Tug of War", and "Luv Sick."