Ratt:- Dancing Undercover

Release:- 1986
Band Members:- Stephen Pearcy, Bobby Blotzer, Robbin Crosby, Warren De Martini, Juan Croucier,
Krillion's Rating:- 85%


Third full album for 'Ratt' and this is even better than the solid but all too brief 'Invasion of Your Privacy', here the catchiness factor of the debut is resurrected, to help make this another pretty memorable release. Production is again courtesy of the well renowned 'Beau Hill', but this definitely has the edge over the previous release.

First out of the hairspray can is the frighteningly catchy 'Dance', an upbeat rocker graced with a sublime chorus, energetic yet driving rhythm and all topped off with some typically sweet guitar licks. Following is fine form is the riff driven 'One Good Lover', which highlights a choice solo from 'DeMartini', while 'Pearcy's' vocals are on hearty form for one of many wonderful choruses. Better still is the pure groove of 'Drive me Crazy' a track which just flows superbly, this time around it's the late 'Robin Crosby' who contributes some guitar excellence to help make this another scintillating cut. The tempo falls for the slow groover 'Slip of the Lip' which just ebbs and flows along to a sublime rhythm, 'Pearcy's' often criticised vocals work the lyrics especially well and he's excellently supported along the way. The quality continues with 'Body Talk', which opens with a relatively subtle intro, only to spring into life as a pulsating and pretty brisk rocker, full of choice riffs and delightful guitars, that not only makes this the album highlight but one of 'Ratt's' finest cuts in their back catalogue. More infectious material follows in the form of 'Looking for Love', a simple but ultimately catchy rocker, that's graced with the deft fret work of 'Robin Crosby' while 'Pearcy's' punchy delivery is very effective. Not quite so impressive is the slightly laboured (by the standards of this album) '7th Avenue', a relatively plain plodder that's only real highlight is a sizzling guitar solo. Back on track is the head wrenching groove of 'It Doesn't Matter' while the riff driven 'Take a Chance' is catchy and certainly hits the spot. The album bows out with the slightly repetitive 'Enough is Enough' that while a typical 'Ratt' light-hearted rocker is spoilt by the light-weight lyrics.

A very consistent album that's almost on-a-par with the debut, as with 'Invasion of Your Privacy it's all over a little too quickly, but the material within is very catchy and ultimately this is another quality 'Ratt' album.


Track Listing:- Dance, One Good Lover, Drive me Crazy, Slip of the Lip, Body Talk, Looking for Love, 7th Avenue, It doesn't Matter, Take a Chance, Enough is Enough,