smoke0845's Full Review: Reach For The Sky by Ratt
After a classic EP and three classic LP's, Ratt showed no signs of running out of steam.
In November of 1988 they released their forth LP, "Reach For The Sky". The album went platinum, and a succesful tour with Poison followed.
The album is produced by Mike Stone and Beau Hill.
On this album more than any other leading up to it's release Ratt expand their sound and experiment.
Guitar-wise the songs on "Reach For The Sky" don't have the heavy-distorted sound of previous albums like "Invasion Of Your Privacy" and "Out Of The Cellar" but that's not a bad thing. The songs are still very much hard-rock.
The Cover - The art is good. Ratt have had a lot of good album covers. The background is heaven with a hand in the foreground that has reached heaven. My best bet is that the hand is still attached to someone. There's a women (maybe God) in a toga with glasses or she might be a statuette. Also on the cover is a descending airplane, full moon amidst beautiful sky, Book turned to a page saying the album's name and a wood-woven arm chair.
The Liner Notes - On one side is a photo of the band. They're not dressed in the style I like best, teased hair, pink cloting and lipstick/makeup/eyeliner like they had in 1985. But their 1988 look/fashion I like also.
Beneath the photo complete production, band info, and thank you's are given. The record is in memory of a good friend of their's, Ross Marino, Cinderella also mention this person on their "Long Cold Winter" Album.
On the other side is a silver and blue "R".
The Music
Ratt were:
Juan Croucier - Bass/background vocals
Robbin Crosby - Guitars/background vocals
Warren DeMartini - Lead Guitar/background vocals
Stephen Pearcy - Vocals
Bobby Blotzer - Drums/percussion/harmonica/washboard
1. City To City - I like the chorus "Cuz I'm living/City to city/And all points/In between" because it reminds me of the rock n' roll lifestyle. One line is tough and thuggish "You might think I'm a Rebel kind/There aint' no way I'm Gun Shy". I like this because it reminds me of Tupac and 50 Cent. There's some good Bobby Blotzer double-bass work in spots.
2. I Want A Woman - There are high points everywhere - the spliced vocal effect intro of the Late Great Robbin Crosby, the dual lead guitar solo and the chorus. There's horns at the very end of the song.
3. Way Cool jr. - This track has a swagger reminiscent of their song "Slip Of The Lip" and of Aerosmith. Bobby Blotzer plays the washboard. The Horn section brought in is a nice touch. It enhances the song.
4. Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds - Has a riff that complients the lyrics, which are about big city action.
"Bombs Away
Down in the city
Somewhere
You're a cruel survivor"
"Stealing Hearts
And all you're cheap talk
Like Hell
I wouldn't put it past you..."
This song is the ultimate soundtrack for life in the city, due to the riff. I've added the phrase "I wouldn't put it past (that person)" to my lexicon because of this song, A Guns N' Roses song and my brother saying it.
5. I Want To Love You Tonight - This song is awesome. I like it so much that I want to record a cover of it. This is one of the songs that represents the band branching out and experimenting. I think they're perspective broadened i.e every song doesn't have to be heavy as hell. Dangling guitar notes start things off and continue during the first and second verses. During the chorus, guitar solo, bridge, and outro the song rocks hard. My interpretation of the lyrics is they're are about a prostitute who Steals drugs "You put every thrill/You could steal" (by the way I have nothing against drugs, It's the stealing that I dislike), makes faces, and tells the main character to be true, to her.
6. Chain Reaction - A fast paced track. I like the part where the backing vocalists say "ooooooh". This song is good to play before going over to the beach, because it will remind you of just that.
On the next four songs Warren Demartini's soloing is a high point because he mimicks a vocal segment of the song in his solos.
7. No Surprise - This song begins with Stephen Pearcy vocal effects. The riff is catchy. I like the fast delivery of the verse vocals, not that slow is bad.
8. Bottom Line - The simultaneous chord and vocal progression during the first half of each verse is awesome, taken alone reason enough to dig deeper into Ratt's catalog than just the Greatest hits compilation "Ratt N' Roll 8191". The pre-chorus and chorus, while a notch in quality below what came before (You gotta remember they're up against an incredibly tough standard) don't disappoint by any means. They're both really intense.
9. What's it Gonna Be - This track also represents the new Ratt and is similar to "Givin' Yourself Away" and "One Step Away" from the follow up album "Detonator". It's a great song. The lyrics say a woman's name.
What's it gonna be sweet Elena
Just cut to the straight, is it him or me?
What's it gonna be my Elena
Should I be waiting for the Heaven to fall?
I think one sign of an all-male rock band evolving is when a woman can have power over them in their lyrics. I reference Aerosmith's "Heart's Done Time" and "Magic Touch" and Motley Crue's "Without You". I will defend to the death that those songs aren't sell-out songs.
10. What I'm After - Juan Croucier's bass line is very good. The riff is great. The chorus build-up vocals and riff pack a punch.
After "Reach For The Sky" Ratt continued to expand their sound and experiment, with the experimenting culminating on 1990's "Detonator". They teamed up with songwriter Desmond Child, who worked with Kiss and Aerosmith, and Jon Bon Jovi to write that album's material. The album had a ballad, "Givin' Yourself away".
Unfortunately, sometime in the late 80's Robbin Crosby had contracted HIV. He was shooting heroin and thought the needle he was using was clean. He died in 2002. Rest In Peace. He is gone but not forgotten. Ratt's music lives on.
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