Search - Good Rats :: Great American Music

Good CD but not near the best

Christopher C. Ryan | Hudson Florida | 05/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Rats fan since the 70's. Growing up on Long Island there were only three bands that mattered locally, Zebra, Twisted Sister and THE GOOD RATS! The Rats defied description. After many years together guitar virtuoso John "The Cat" Gatto left the band along with long time bassist Lenny Kotke. This CD severely lacks Johns "jazzy" playing which made the Rats so special on previous CDs. Bruce Kulick plays straight rock guitar - which isn't bad - it just takes the Rats down a notch. Good CD not great. Peppi to this day writes great lyrics about real life. The songs here are just above average. The band just isn't "cooking" like they use too. The true end of an era and the end to the Greatest Unknown Band in the world. Buy Live At Last and Tasty to see what all the fuss was about!"

Great American Music rocks!

Tommyr | Poughkeepsie, NY USA | 07/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Good Rats have ALWAYS made excellent rock & roll, from their early days until their last album with the original band. "Great American Music" continues the Good Rats tradition of excellent writing by Peppi Marchello and the excellent musicianship of it's band members. This incarnation of the Rats includes Bruce Kulick (who went on to play with Kiss) and Skyler Deale whose bass playing still amazes me to this day. It's a shame the band folded shortly after the tour for this album. My favorites on this record (not in any order!) are Julie, Audience, N.Y survivor, On my way to school and Rock and roll point of view. The band sounded just as good live as they do on record, I really miss the original Good rats, there is a NEW Good Rats band however they sound nothing like the originals and the only original member in it is Peppi. I'm in the process of trying to get all the Good Rats CDs but they are hard to come by for some reason. All my albums are played out now. I'd recommend ANY and ALL CDS by the rats, you just can't go wrong with any of them!"

The greatest unknown band in the world

Andrew Cohen | 01/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like 2 guitars, a bass a drum and killer vocals this is the album for you. This album features the guitar work of Bruce Kulick (who later played guitar for Kiss!) and Mickey Marchello. Peppi Marchello's song writing skills are beyond compare. My favorite song is Rock and Roll Point of View, but every song on this disc will reach into you and make you feel something. The short samples on the Amazon.com site reminded me why I need to replace this album with a CD (the turntable is broken). I've been listening to the Good Rats for over 20 years and never tire of them, as a matter of fact, they are one of my favorite bands of all time. After you hear this album you'll think so too."