A couple of years after reforming without Robin Crosby or Juan Croucier, Ratt released their sixth full-length album, not-so-creatively titled 'Ratt' (yep, the same as their debut EP, some 16 years earlier). The four-piece unit was rounded out on bass by Robbie Crane, previously of Vince Neil’s band.
The songs on 'Ratt' are of a different vein than the band’s previous efforts. Gone is the sleazy LA-style metal of the 80's and early 90's, replaced by a bluesy hard rock sound, appropriate for the more mature lyrical direction of the album. Unfortunately, the fun and the hooks went with the sleaze and we’re left with a somewhat bland album. Almost all of the songs are ok, but nothing is really great. The highlight of the album is "Breakout," a crunchy number with a cool sitar-like intro. "So Good, So Fine" is the only up tempo song on here and is also pretty good. "Dead Reckoning" has some strut and a cool riff, as does "Luv Sick". Although not very heavy, "We Don’t Belong" and "It Ain’t Easy" are poignant and melodic, and pretty decent. The rest of the songs are filler; nothing horrible, just nothing that blows you away.
This is a different Ratt than what we remember.

TRACK LIST:
1. Over the Edge
2. Live For Today
3. Gave Up Givin’ Up
4. We Don’t Belong
5. Breakout
6. Tug of War
7. Dead Reckoning
8. Luv Sick
9. It Ain’t Easy
10. All the Way
11. So Good, So Fine

Review by Jon Paine