Whatever your thoughts on the current state of Ratt and the sagas that have unfolded over recent years not least Stephen’s recent live performance at the Paramount in Huntington, N.Y., which was marred by a rather sub-par performance for which Pearcy has already apologised citing a mixture of pain medication and alcohol as the contributing factor, there are still plenty of Ratt fans out there.
This fifth solo release follows closely on the heels of 2017’s ‘Smash’ and it’s also rather similar in nature. ‘Smash’ itself was probably Pearcy’s most Ratt-like release to date and this, if you will, is even more Ratt-like to the point where you wonder why the band itself isn’t releasing more material? It’s been 8 long years since the rather good ‘Infestation’ after all… then you stop yourself to remember that this current line up of Ratt already got rid of two guitarists and a drummer this year including long-term member Warren DiMartini and the popular Carlos Cavaso. Ratt currently sports only Pearcy and Juan Croucier from what might be considered the ‘classic line-up’ so I guess any record from the band might not offer much more than Pearcy is able to offer himself.
This album therefore is probably the best Ratt fans can hope for in the near future and to be honest it’s pretty good, certainly on par with ‘Smash’ and maybe even more consistent though in truth the album does suffer in the latter stages by a seeming lack of ambition.
We open well enough though, and Pearcy, always the king of the “three minute, hit ’em hard get to the point and rock” song does what you might expect on ‘U Only Live Twice’ – belts out a nice slice of Ratt and Roll. And that attack and approach pretty much rides out the first few numbers – ‘Sky Falling’ rides a nice big riff, and ‘Malibu’; ‘One in a Million’ and ‘Double Shot’ are all perfectly fine rockers with the last of the bunch recalling the early Ratt sound as well as anything he’s done solo over the years.
Deeper in ‘Dangerous Thing’ will sound remarkably familiar to Ratt fans, before what might be the best song here ‘I’m a Ratt’ (the single) kicks in an steals the show. The album closes with a further two rockers – the heavy riffs of ‘From the Inside’ and the bone-rattling light and shade of ‘Violator’ neither of which are quite as good but if I’m truthful and you’re a Ratt fan this is a pretty great follow up to ‘Smash.’ It might not exactly be Ratt but it’s definitely Rattlike, and in the dark I’d challenge you to tell the difference.
Tracklisting: 1.U Only Live Twice | 2.Sky Falling | 3.Malibu | 4.One In A Million | 5.Double Shot | 6.Secrets To Tell | 7.Not Killin’ Me | 8.Dangerous Thing | 9.I’m A Ratt | 10.From The Inside | 11.Violator
BAND MEMBERS:
Stephen Pearcy – Lead Vocal-Back Ups
Erik Ferentinos – ALL guitars – Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Back Up Vocals, Keys
Matt Thorne – Bass Guitars, Keys, Back Up Vocals
Scot Coogan – Drums
