Ratt – Invasion Of Your Privacy

The third of the Ratt triumvirate is this one ‘Invasion Of Your Privacy’, released in July 1985 and going double platinum by the end of the year.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Ratt
ALBUM: Invasion Of Your Privacy
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 81257-1
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Stephen Pearcy – vocals * Robbin Crosby – guitars * Warren De Martini – guitars * Juan Croucier – bass * Bobby Blotzer – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 You’re In Love * 02 Never Use Love * 03 Lay It Down * 04 Give It All * 05 Closer To My Heart * 06 Between The Eyes * 07 What You Give Is What You Get * 08 Got Me On The Line * 09 You Should Know By Now * 10 Dangerous But Worth The Risk

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Background

Formed from the origins of San Diego based outfit Mickey Ratt, this band became one of the more successful hair-metal bands of the 80’s, their first three albums worth adding to your CD collection without hesitation. The third of the Ratt triumvirate is this one ‘Invasion Of Your Privacy’, released in July 1985 and going double platinum by the end of the year.

It is a continuation of the smooth production generated by Beau Hill, combined with sharp melodic metal with a commercial edge. The ‘politically correct’ brigade led by Tipper Gore tried hard to put a parental warning on the cover, probably because Playboy centerfold Marianne Gravatte graced the cover. It’s hardly pornographic though, and if Tipper actually remembers those days, she’ll probably realise how silly it all was.

The Songs

The album is a story of two halves though; one half being exceptional songs, while the second half is less so, though its hardly filler thank goodness. The first three tracks ‘You’re In Love’, ‘Never Use Love’ and ‘Lay It Down’ are all compulsory listening, the latter track did very well in the charts too. My fave track is ‘Give It All’, the brooding guitars give this one a dramatic edge.

Ratt venture into power-ballad with ‘Closer To My Heart’, a good effort. By the time we get to the second half of the album though, we’re looking for a bit of contrast to break up the similar sounding riffs coming through the mix. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen..

The trio of ‘Between The Eyes’, ‘What You Give Is What You Get’ and ‘Got Me On The Line’ struggle to get my attention, and by now I have an itchy trigger finger. ‘You Should By Now’ is a fun-time rocker, the album completed by the anthem like ‘Dangerous But Worth The Risk’, the sexual innuendo represented in the lyrics all the way through the album.

In Summary

One of many metal bands doing well in 1985, Ratt followed the likes of Dokken into the charts, and were also well-followed out on the road, with fledglings Bon Jovi the support band. As mentioned, the album went double-platinum, and the following year they consolidated their efforts with the album ‘Dancing Undercover’.

Video

You’re In Love