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Ratt - Infestation [Album]

Roadrunner Records

by danreviewer, July 21st, 2010 and has been Read 1626 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire July 21st, 2010.

I have heard so much about Ratt over the past decade or so, yet never really took the opportunity to listen to their work. So I threw myself headlong at the new album "Infestation" (presumably a cheeky link to a ‘Rat infestation’). Ratt are one of those bands who have been around long enough to know what does and doesn’t work; completing many worldwide circuits whilst touring past material.

‘Eat Me Up Alive’ is the track which begins the musical onslaught and it explores the faster tempos within the musical spectrum, utilising a blend of both raw distorted guitars and sweeping, sharp melodic opportunities. A solo sneaks in which was totally unexpected, yet incredibly technical and fluid – what a great start the album! Vocally, I'm more than au fair with the style used and it suits me fine.

‘A Little Too Much’, follows more of a template, yet has relative pace to get your head moving to the driving riffs. A potential group vocal / audience chant chorus gives you an impression that Ratt are not only writing for themselves, but for the fans at their shows. Using the pre-chorus to build momentum into the main chorus, Ratt have got a formula which really works well. It is simply hard not to like this band. I must also extend a big shout out to the guitarists who blast out some consistently technical and excellent solos.

The most amusing lyric goes to ‘She’s the devil, but I like that ass’ – you’ve got to love the way Americans spare no time in getting straight to the point. What a lyrical showman! This features as one of many memorable, catchy lines in the song ‘Look out below’. It’s a bit Skid Row or Motley Crue in places, but hey, I'm all for that.

I am a big fan of the more bluesy, energetic ‘Garden of Eden’, which once again lets the guitarists show their flare and clear ability. Keeping a simplistic approach through the verse sections, where emphasis is placed on Mr Stephen Pearcy to light up the airwaves with his vocal touch; whilst Warren and Carlos on the twin axes hold back their power until the chorus and latter stages of the song. The thing that I have to admire about Ratt is that they have avoided falling into that trap of using cheesy rhyming lines; instead adopting something a little more thoughtful and classy.

The closest you’ll get to a ballad comes courtesy of ‘Take Me Home’, which explores some new territory in terms of a more refined musical arrangement; however, ultimately everything builds up to a big mid-section and riotous ending where the band really let loose. This is not a bad song, but not my favourite on the album as, if you only heard this track alone, you would not be aware of the full potential of Ratt.

"Infestation" is a pleasure to listen to.