Search - Ratt :: Reach for the Sky

Dead ringer of a woman...

Mark H. | Hanson, MA USA | 05/18/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"`Reach for the Sky' was another quality collection of songs by Ratt that unfortunately did little to stop the group's precipitous slide in popularity as the Eighties started to wind down. Chemistry both internal and well chemical had begun to disrupt the bandit camaraderie of the quintet as the song writing and other aspects of quality control had fallen by the wayside proving to many that after the debut there was only so far for Ratt and Roll appeal to go. All of Ratt's records are worthwhile though I really think that `Invasion' was the last one of note as `Dancing Undercover' revealed a sameness and lack of intelligence that would plague Ratt throughout the rest of their prime. `Reach' did include singles "Way Cool Jr." and "I Want a Woman" that were decent contributions to the Ratt canon. Many have complained at what was perceived as a smoothing of the band's rough edges. Hair metal is an awful name for a category but even Ratt started to find themselves in the same formulaic mess as many of their arguably less talented contemporaries. The story behind the painful recording session (Mike Stone was in, then drunk, then out and Beau Hill was brought back though the band's relationship with him was very strained), may have been overstated but there is no denying that something was missing from these later Ratt records. Warren De Martini continued to assert his dominance in the guitar team as it seemed hard to believe that this was once Robbin Crosby's band. Crosby's fall from grace no doubt was the major contributing factor to Ratt's demise but even on `Reach' the good times were still to be had, just not as much filthy lucre and the writing was on the wall for one the Sunset Strip's most dominant party bands...don't bite the hand that feeds you"