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Ratt: Out of the cellar

04/03/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

80’s hair metal had a few bright moments. You can’t deny it, even if it does make that little pecker of yours shrink just a little bit more. While we hate on the glam rockers of yesterday for their previous androgynous looks and current celebreality states of despair, those dudes lived the dream, made more cash, and banged more vaginas than the entire staff and forum members of Global Domination combined and squared. And, on top of all that debauchery, the 80’s hairbaggers produced a few solid records. One of those diamonds in the muff was “Out of the Cellar”, the first full-length CD of Ratt. During my first run here on staff, I reviewed a Ratt compilation CD and I gave it to the vermin pretty hard. My stance on these guys has softened after picking “Out of the Anus” up and I can now safely say that this album rocks.

The tumor of ballads and weepy vaginas that would cripple and destroy this genre had not yet become malignant for Ratt in 1984. Songs like “Wanted man”, “Back for more”, and the radio hit “Round and round” are legitimate hard rocking tracks. Are they as heavy as what other, more extreme bands like Metallica and Slayer were doing at the same time? Not even fucking close. However, Ratt (at least in 1984) knew how to put out catchy, groovy tunes with some stellar guitar work. Check the video for “Round and round” here. Besides featuring Milton Berle complete in drag, the scene where Warren DeMartini (a legitimately sick player) burst through the ceiling onto the dinner table and immediately begins shredding the solo is absolute cheese perfection.

Having both Demartini and Robbin Crosby (RIP) in the band really elevated Ratt’s sound above those of band’s like Mötley Crüe and Poison who only feature one guitarist. The double leads and solos with backing rhythm lines on “Out of the Cellar” are pretty sweet. Both fellas are (were) bonafide lead guitarists and Ratt’s sound and success rest on their shoulders. Pearcy’s vocals are enjoyable too and there is no crooning or whining which is a huge plus. Bobby Blotzer is one of the better hair/glam drummers. While you won’t find any flying footwork or intense thrashing on here, Bobbo keeps a solid beat and groove going behind most of “Banging Sarah Michelle Gellar”. Bass is not an issue. With this type of metal, it rarely is.

There is filler here; not every track is at the quality level of “Wanted man”, “Back for more” or “Round and round”. Ratt followed this album’s considerable success with the more commercial “Invasion of Your Privacy”. Besides the awesomeness of “Lay it down”, that record pales in comparison to “Out of the Cellar”. Everything else by them sucks teh dick pretty bad. “Out of the Cellar” does not. It seems like hairy, sleazy, glamtastic rock/metal is making a comeback. Nothing nowadays comes close to this though. 80’s hair metal was ridiculous cheese, but at least it was original cheese. And Ratt’s early fromunda was one of the more enjoyable selections. Give “Out of the Cellar” a listen; it is more heavy metal than wimpy pussiness (honestly) and features some genuinely good tunes.

Information
Released: 1984
Label: Atlantic
Website: www.therattpack.com
Band
Stephen Pearcy: vocals
Warren DeMartini: guitar
Robbin Crosby:guitar
Juan Croucier: bass guitar
Bobby Blotzer: drums

Tracklist
01. Wanted Man
02. You’re in Trouble
03. Round and Round
04. In Your Direction
05. She Wants Money
06. Lack of Communication
07. Back for More
08. The Morning After
09. I’m Insane
10. Scene of the Crime

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