A Sneak Peek...
And this time ... on "Invasion of Your Privacy", "Ratt's" second album, released on June 13, 1985.
If you grew up on Hair/Glam Metal in the 1980s, there is no way you are not familiar with "Ratt" and certainly not with this album. The chances even increase if you are male sex and were in your teens when this album came out.
"Ratt's" origins go back to 1973, when vocalist Stephen Pearcy formed a band called "Pearedome". In 1974 the band disbanded, and Pearcy formed another band called "Crystal Pystal", which went through several incarnations until in 1977 it changed its name to "Mickey Ratt". This lineup was part of the San Diego club scene and slowly gained fans and crowds. After an exchange of several members, including guitarist Jake E. Lee who left and later joined Ozzy Osbourne's lineup, the band's classic lineup finally crystallized and includes: lead singer Stephen Pearcy, guitarists Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini recommended by Jake E. Lee, bassist Juan Croucier and drummer Bobby Blotzer.
To increase their chances of getting a recording contract with a major label, the band recorded a single called "Dr. Rock" / "Drivin 'on E" in 1980, which was distributed to fans during the band's performances at clubs in Los Angeles. In 1981 the band's name was shortened to "Ratt", when in 1982 they released a self-produced EP that included a different version of the song "Back For More". The EP was a relative success with sales of 100,000 copies, which earned the band a recording contract with "Atlantic Records".
The band's debut album "Out Of The Cellar" was released in 1984 and gave "Ratt" great commercial success, mainly in the US and Japan, with sales of over 3 million copies. The album included the hits "Round And Round", "Wanted Man" and more.
On "Invasion of Your Privacy" the band attempted to continue with the momentum of the debut album. Although failing to replicate the success of "Out Of The Cellar", "Ratt" concocted an excellent album containing some memorable glam metal hits, superb solos, and biting riffs. Songs like "Lay it Down", "You're in Love", "Never Use Love", "What You Give Is What You Get", "Dangerous But Worth the Risk", make this album one of the biggest and most important albums in glam metal Of the 80s.
If we already mentioned biting riffs, then we think that the thing that sets "Ratt" apart from other glam metal bands is the excellent guitar work and the perfect combination of guitarists Crosby and DeMartini, which sometimes reminds us of the style and sound of NWOBHM bands from across the ocean.
This album eventually reached double-platinum status with sales of over two million copies, and helped establish "Ratt's" status as one of the leading bands to emerge from the L.A. Glam-Metal scene of the 1980s.
And what about the album cover? Many of us discovered the band and purchased the album because of the cover, but later discovered the real wonder that is inside. The woman on the chair is playboy model Marianne Gravatte, who also participates in the clip for the song "You're in Love". The cover and voyeuristic message caught the attention of the PMRC, who wanted to label the album as "Parental Advisory", to keep it away from American youth, but of course, they achieved the exact opposite ...
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music