Ratt Infestation
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
“You drive me crazy, and you’re all I need. There’s no one better, when you’re on your knees …” That’s right — Ratt is back! While a serious number of ‘80s bands — like Great White, Dokken, Motley Crue, Scorpions, KEEL, etc. — have released new music over the past year, none of them have dove headfirst into where they came from with the same unfettered abandon as Ratt’s new release, Infestation. This sounds like Ratt; it sounds like a mixture of Out of the Cellar and Invasion of Your Privacy. It’s unapologetic Hard Rock that exudes the same level of sleaze and guitar heroics as Ratt did decades ago, and it might even be better.
In an interview with Hardrock Haven, lead singer Stephen Pearcy noted that the reason Infestation sounds like Ratt’s hit songs of old is because Ratt wrote all their multiplatinum hits — they didn’t use any outside songwriters but composed everything in-house. In fact, Ratt added an amazing guitarist and songwriter in Carlos Cavazo, who helped pen the debut single, “Best of Me.”
“Eat Me Up Alive” is the opening track, and if you didn’t miss Warren DeMartini’s riffs, then you are not a true music fan. With the entire music industry evolving around them, Ratt’s music is an uncanny surgical strike; they know exactly what their fans want to hear and they don’t give a damn about popular music. That’s exactly what you get on “Eat Me Up Alive.” Pearcy’s vocals snarl and sneer, melodic yet somewhat edgy, and it’s the perfect way to begin Infestation.
Their single and video is for the track “Best of Me.” This is by far the most radio-friendly track on the album, and it is similar to a past hit “What’s It Gonna Be.” Ratt’s ability to be both sincere and flagrantly base has to impress everyone. When you hear Pearcy croon, “You said you wouldn’t see me ‘til you got your wedding dress,” followed by the bubbly backing vocals, it works. The buoyant backing vocals during the chorus don’t sound cheesy, even though they should. It’s just a damn fine Hard Rock pop hit.
Stripper anthems are something Ratt excels at, and “Look Out Below” can certainly make you want to remove various articles of clothing. The entire track is one huge groove and grind, and the lyrics, like “She’s a devil, and I like that ass,” let you know Ratt didn’t really clean up their act, even if they announced they’d try back in “Best of Me.”
The song “Lost Weekend’s” riff will remind you of “Lack of Communication” just for a couple seconds; yes, it’s that good. DeMartini and Cavalos are two of the best guitarists the genre has ever produced, and to have them on the same team should be illegal.
Personalities abound in Ratt, and Bobby Blotzer makes his presence felt on every song, especially the thundering beginning to “Take Me Home.” It’s one of the slower songs on Infestation, though, so Blotzer tempers the pounding with more deft fills in some passages. “Take Me Home” highlights Pearcy’s voice, shoving it out front of the music and allowing him to lead with his distinct voice. After all years, Pearcy sounds as strong as ever.
“Don’t Let Go” closes Infestation, a manic, hyper rocker with Blotzer going off, and Cavalos and DeMartini trading solos and leads. Ratt’s music, for some reason, has always been one of those bands you can hear a track once or twice and sing along with it, almost word for word. Everything is a hook, everything is catchy, and that describes everything on Infestation.
Ratt, one of the founders of the whole ‘80s Glam/Hard Rock movement, and their new album are proof that you can go home again, even if your home is an alcohol-fueled den of musical iniquity. Infestation doesn’t just meet and exceed expectations; it gnaws the hell out of them and announces Ratt isn’t just on top of their game — they are the only game in town.
Online: http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/RATT-Infestation
Track listing:
01. Eat Me Up Alive
02. Best of Me
03. A Little Too Much
04. Look Out Below
05. Last Call
06. Lost Weekend
07. As Good as it Gets
08. Garden of Ede
09. Take a Big Bite
10. Take Me Home
11. Don’t Let Go
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10
yep yep…finally after 190 years you do a great review you drunk frog luvin freak
I have always liked Ratt maybe a little more than most people. When they were on their dwonswing I was still a big fan. Not sure why though. It’s not as if Mr. Pearcy has a 5 octave range in his voice or anything. Just something about their swagger I guess.
Anyway, in an effort to not be a fanboy I have listened to this about 12-15 times now and have to say it is pretty good. A soild 8 on the Ravynn scale.