RATT — Invasion Of Your Privacy (review)

RATT — Invasion Of Your Privacy album cover

Album · 1985 · Glam Metal

5/5 · 2017-09-28
Unitron

Ah, glam metal/hair metal/pop metal/whatever you want to call it. It's a part of metal that's been long shamed, and it's easy to see why with bands like Poison, Warrant, White Lion, and the more recent Black Veil Brides being part of it. Though, that was mostly the second wave of the scene. At the start, you had the likes of Motley Crue, Lita Ford, Y & T, Great White, Quiet Riot, and my personal favorite Ratt.

This is when hair bands were metal, taking a lot more from the NWoBHM than what would come later. With a penchant for razor-sharp guitar riffing, catchy as hell melodies, and tight rhythm section, Ratt was at the top of their game during the 80's. Many prefer Out of the Cellar, which yielded the hit single "Round and Round", but as great as that album is, I find Invasion of Your Privacy to be superior and one of the best albums of the 80's.

The album immediately opens up with what should be a metal classic, "You're in Love", which is simply one of the best opening songs on any album. The guitar and drums perfectly play off of one another, making it almost impossible not to headbang with the syncopation. Speaking of, Bobby Blotzer brings in not only a gigantic loud drum sound, but also some really cool cannon/thunder effects. The twin lead guitars of Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby lays down (pun not intended) killer riff after riff and singing solos after another. Juan Croucier's bass brings a nice bounce in the bottom end, and Stephen Pearcy is easily my favorite glam metal vocalist. Pearcy's vocals remind me of a more melodic Dave Mustaine, as he has that same sort of nasal-y tone.

The whole album is flawless from beginning to end, but if I had to pick highlights besides "You're in Love", the other single "Lay It Down" is certainly one. The chorus is simply beautiful. "What You Give is What You Get", "Dangerous but Worth the Risk", and "Closer to My Heart" are also masterpieces. The latter especially has sweet contrast between the main riffs.

If you've been apprehensive to check out glam metal, give Ratt's first four albums a try, especially this one. This one is up there with Powerslave, Screaming for Vengeance, Balls to the Wall, Metal on Metal, and Shout at the Devil as 80's heavy metal classics. This is pure metal all the way. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

more than 2 years ago
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voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

It's like metal moved in two directions in the eighties after becoming a household word. It became either more radio friendly, MTV friendly, and teen-friendly or it became heavier, faster, scarier, and more brutal. I just wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about all metal subgenres that emerged in the eighties. Fascinating form of music!

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

What's now deemed glam metal is hit and miss for me but you're right about going to the early 80s. Something in the music industry changed around 1984 and i've heard that CIA and other government programs were designed to take the "commie" threats out of music. I'm not kidding! Just listen to early Motley Crue and later releases. Same with Bon Jovi and other pop metal acts of the 80s. Luckily the underground was still going strong so we got some excellent 80s material but very wild.

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I just listened a bit to Once Bitten Twice Shy. Now I remember there was this whole movement of back to blues-based rock. Great White and Cinderella, London Quire Boys. Maybe I'll go back to the very early eighties instead.

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I might go back there later. For now there's too much other stuff begging for my ears. Perhaps next year I'll get back to the eighties.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

@ voila....you should definately check out other albums. The first two were their biggest successes but all of their first five were pretty good. After the first two i think i like Detonator the best. The other two have great tracks but also have some filler

Nightfly wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I agree, one of the better glam bands. Saw them once back in the 80's supporting someone - think it was Ozzy.

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

That is correct. And Stick It was the big single. A funny thing though, several months ago I was reading a band's bio - I forget who - and they said they got picked up by Priest for the American tour of Defenders because they sacked Great White. I think the band was Coney Hatch, but I could be wrong.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Wow, that must have been quite the concert! That would have been the Defenders of the Faith tour right?

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Not only did I used to have Great White's debut on cassette but I saw them open for Judas Priest in Vancouver back in 1984!

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Glad to see some more Ratt appreciation, and that I'm not alone in thinking Pearcy's vocals are similar to Mustaine.

@voila If you're looking for glam albums that are similar to the NWoBHM, Great White's debut is surprisingly quite similar in sound.

Kingcrimsonprog wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I feel like Twisted Sister's 'You Cant Stop Rock N Roll' is basically a NWOBHM album with a few Glam tracks.

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Wow! What have I missed? I only ever had Out of the Cellar, though my best friend had this. Since I was just checking out more NWoBHM bands earlier tonight, perhaps I should look back into early glam metal (?).

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I love Ratt! They had a great sound, great look and Stephen Percey's vocals stood out from the pack

Kingcrimsonprog wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yes, I totally agree about the Mustaine thing!