I purchased this album on Vinyl back in September at a Used Shop in my area. I saw the shrink wrap cellophane still intact and thought the condition must be pretty good. What I found remarkable was that it was a sealed copy! For those not old enough to remember, Vinyl LP's were hemmed shut via glued cardboard edges. Yup, someone had traded it in without even hearing the record! I'll bet the previous owner was some guy/gal lived near by (A possibility cuz of the original sticker from "Strawberries" which is a store down the road. Of course the half which says the original price was slit away.) And hopped on the CD Wave to the fullest selling their old vinyl. It's almost a full circle sort of tale cuz someone from the younger era (me;) acquired their possession.
My fandom of Ratt began when I picked up a used CDd copy of their greatest hits compilation, "Ratt N' Roll 8191" in April 2002.
I Was so entertained by this band that I wanted to dig deeper and unearth their back catalog for overlooked jewels. So I simultaneously bought this album, "The Ratt Ep", and 'Reach For The Sky" (The latter two I haven't listened to yet).
Ratt's label was Atlantic Records, and "Invasion Of Your Privacy" was the succesor to their first full length LP, "Out Of The Cellar" and was released in 1985, which was a tremendously exceptional year for the label, Phil Collins megaseller "No Jacket Required" was all the rage.
Ratt as a band never disappointed, and skeptics wondered aloofly if the Triple Platinum success of "Out Of The Cellar" would toy with the bands heads. Well that didn't happen thank goodness.
For the album cover, Ratt continue the trend of using photographs. There's an attractive girl (I normally don't go for blondes but here's an exception) slipping on a pair of socks. It took me a while to notice that there was a Searchlight on in the background and an open door to the lawn, perhaps she isn't aware? Which plays into the title, "Invasion Of Your Privacy".
The Back Cover and Liner Notes are above average. Photography was courtesy of the legendary Neil Zlozower, in fact the back cover photos are wisely arrainged. Each band member gets a snapshot, one is in the shape of a triangle while others are circles, polygons, rectangular shaped.
1985-86 was the height of Hair Metal's first phase, and Ratt's wardrobe included Bright Spandex, long overcoats, and their hair was teased up. I think this style was awesome so you won't read any complaints. In fact there was never a Hair Band from 1981-91 with a Dull image.
Beau Hill produced the album, I don't think he gets his just due for all the classics he's helmed the boards for.
"You're In Love" gets the album off to a quality start, with a Catchy guitar hook, the lightning sound effects enhance the overall experience for me. The Video was a classic stageshow teamed with classic videoclips. Big Hit.
"Never Use Love" packs a punch with a Sawblade Riff. Bobby Blotzer bashes away behind the kit with an aggresive attitude and the Stephen Pearcy's Squeal amidst the chorus is the best of the whole album.
The Other Big Hit was "Lay It Down". The moderate Tempo and Heavy Riff does a lot for me. The Topic Du Jour is sex and the verses play out like a dialog a guy would say to his girlfriend, with a slowdown spoken word portion. The Backing Bass Line has a "Galloping Horse' fell which is sounds familiar if you've listened to Iron Maiden for extended time a la moi.
Structurally speaking "Give It All" is more complicated at first listen. The riff changes 3 times within the first minute. It took me a few listens for the song to "Sink In". A soaring Lead is coupled by a verse backing which doesn't quite qualify as "Chord Bleeding' for guitarists reading. The Solo is memorable, but not because the Bass lets up which is unique in it's own right.
"Closer To My Heart" is an acoustic-flavored tune that surpasses "Back For More" off the preceding album. The Electric guitar does show up, slashing and burning. The song fades out in faster speed.
The Band sound laid-back on "Between The Eyes" which isn't bad at all. The Song "Parades" aound given it's careful pace. The Occasional Underlying Rhythm Guitar recalls the chiming of church bells in my opinion, cuz of the manner.
After Gong Adventurous routes, the Robbin Crosby/Warren Demartini Twin Guitars and Bass all converge for "What You Give Is What You Get" each instrument nearly meshes together. The Ferocious chorus buildup sticks with me.
"Got Me On The Line" brings us to the home stretch, Stephen Pearcy can tell a relationship story the way DMX or Francis Ford Coppola Would tell a Crime Story. Yeah that's the lyrical empasis. Juan Croucier's Bass Line improves the already-there Catchy hook.
One ASpect of this album desrving of mention is how some tunes immdiately flow into the next one, for instance "You Should Know By Now". This song should be required music for parties. Every element perpetuates an Uplifting/Good Time atmosphere. The high pitched intro riff, and lyrics such as
"Don't you know it's nothin' new/ Don't you get in my way, get in my way", followed by a break down section where only the chorus and Drums with a Cowbell tossed in! Get Out the Booze - Seagram's Gin and 151, and hope noone stops the party with Gun Shots ringing out as described on Gangsta Rap albums, this one's a keeper.
"Dangerous But Worth The Risk" - A splendid closer if there ever was one. The Best Part is when Stephen sings "I...Know it's True". The Steady drive doesn't let up til the very end.
I still miss the late great Guitarist Robbin Crosby a lot. He is gone, but not forgotten as his music will forever live on. I recommend "Invasion Of Your Privacy" wholeheartedly
Ratt gained serious attention in the 80s with the release of "Out Of The Cellar". They defined the L.A. rock club scene with both their attitude and guitar-heavy sound while establishing that they could write catchy hooks in addition to identifiable guitar riffs. Tunes like "Round and Round", "Wanted Man", and "Back For More" hit the MTV generation with an energy that was rare and well needed at that point in 80s music.Along came "Invasion Of Your Privacy" and Ratt further established their credibility as a rock band to be reckoned with. The production on this second effort makes this entire album distinctive; even today the songs stand out with their energy and strong vocal presentation. Start to finish this album does not let up. Noticable tracks like "You're In Love" and "Lay It Down" make Ratt a necessity when building your 80s Hair Band collection. Also included here are excellent rockers like "Never Use Love", "Give It All", "What You Give Is What You Get" (my favorite Ratt tune), and "Dangerous But Worth The Risk".
I think it is important to note that Ratt was never a band that was trying to re-invent the rock music genre. Ultimately they were a band who peaked at the right time among the elements of the L.A. club scene and the increasing popularity of such bands on MTV. You will find no thought provoking or strong social messages here, just a lot of sexual innuendo, mascara, killer guitar, and driving bottom end. Ratt is a bright flash in the music timeline. They had a quick stay at the top of the hard rock charts before bands like Bon Jovi, Poison, Motley Crue, and Guns N' Roses added fuel to the fire and put some real distance between Ratt and the ever-changing hair band status quo. Do yourself a favor and check out this disc. A great effort from a great (and not forgotten) 80s hair band!
If 80s Rock is your thing I also recommend: Y&T (Meanstreak), King Kobra (Ready To Strike), Motley Crue (Theater of Pain), Krokus (Headhunter), Whitesnake (Slide It In), and Winger (Winger).
