Ratt’s five-album output for Atlantic Records is being released as a CD box set. The collection, housed in a clamshell, includes several single edits as bonus tracks. Ratt: The Atlantic Years 1984-1990 arrives March 27 via Cherry Red Records’ HNE Recordings.
From the announcement: Taking inspiration from Aerosmith and Van Halen, Ratt originally formed in Hollywood in the mid-1970s, eventually releasing the independent “Dr. Rock” single in 1980, before contributing a track to the Metal Massacre compilation in 1981, and their independently released, self-titled mini-album in 1983.
But Ratt finally made their classic rock mark when Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Robbin Crosby (guitar), Warren DeMartini (guitar), Juan Croucier (bass) and Bobby Blotzer (drums) signed to Atlantic Records in 1984 for the Out of the Cellar album, produced by Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Kix, Winger, Warrant, Fiona, Europe). Their tuneful hard rock found favor with both AOR radio and on MTV, where clips for singles “Round and Round” and “Back For More” received heavy rotation.
A big influence on the growing glam and hair metal scene based around Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip, Out of the Cellar would ultimately reach triple platinum in sales. (The radio edit of “Round And Round,” which reached #12 on the U.S. pop chart, is included as a bonus track.)
In 1985, Ratt followed up with Invasion of Your Privacy. Again produced by Hill, and featuring the singles “Lay It Down” and “You’re In Love,” Ratt’s popularity wasn’t confined to the States, as they would make fans as far afield as Japan, as well as inclusion on the U.K.’s legendary 1985 Monsters of Rock festival, on a bill featuring ZZ Top, Marillion, Bon Jovi and Metallica.
Invasion of Your Privacy would eventually earn double platinum sales. (The set includes a single edit of “What You Give Is What You Get” as a bonus track.) Ratt released Dancing Undercover in 1986, again with Beau Hill at the helm. (A single edit of “Dance” has been added to the album.) Fourth album Reach for the Sky (1988) was the last album to be produced by Hill, and was co-produced with Mike Stone (Queen). Featuring the single “Way Cool Jr.,” it racked up platinum sales. (The MTV Unplugged version of the single is included as a bonus track.)
Their fifth LP, 1990’s Detonator, was the last album released by Atlantic and the final record to feature the classic line-up. Enlisting Jon Bon Jovi for backing vocals on “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose,” the album is also notable for a number of co-writes with Desmond Child (KISS, Cher, Bon Jovi), as well as production from Sir Arthur Payson. (The Ratt Fonic Monster Mix and Ratt Fonic Radio Mixes of “Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job,” plus “Nobody Rides For Free” from the Point Break soundtrack are included as bonus tracks.)
Ratt continue to tour to the present day, led by singer Pearcy and Croucier.
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