Hello friends! Time for another classic album from the past. This one is an album that means alot to me, it was released in rock's heyday, and is one of the best albums to emerge from the L.A. scene ever. I'm talking about Ratt's 1984 slab, Out Of The Cellar.
If you were a teenager at the time, I'm pretty sure you would have had a copy of this record. Along with bands like Motley Crue, Dokken, W.A.S.P. and Great White, Ratt was young hungry and ready to take on the world...and that they did.
This album was my intro to the band (I didn't pick up their 1983 EP until later...which also rules btw). I read a small review in a magazine and found a copy on my next trip to the mall. I am a fan until this day.
This is one of those records where there is not a bad tune in the bunch, and the deep tracks are even better than the hits (which is usually the case anyway). Opening up with the storming Wanted Man, through hit Round And Round, and brilliant tracks The Morning After and the closer Scene Of The Crime, OOTC is a fine example of melodic hard rock. Vocalist Stephen Peacy is a combination of Steven Tyler and Paul Stanley, and guitarist Warren DeMartini worshiped at the altar of Rhoads and Van Halen. For a bands major label debut, you couldn't get much better.
Ratt continued to put out a string of classic hard rock albums before splitting in the early 90's. They were all a great blend of catchy hooks, cool vocals and killer guitar work. Being a drummer myself, I also have to say that young players should check out Bobby Blotzers work on any of the early Ratt records, amazing. Guitarist Robbin Crosby passed away in 2002 from complications from AIDS, and a heroin overdose. He is truly missed by Ratt fans everywhere.For those of you who haven't heard Ratt in awhile, their most recent album, Infestation, is an incredible return to form, and a return to the classic Ratt sound. Check it out.
Here is a clip live clip from '84. Enjoy, and see you all next time!
MUYA!!
