Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Certified Double Platinum / Fully remastered sound shaped from 24 Bit digital technology / Contains Round And Round , Wanted Man and You're In Trouble / 16 page full colour booklet 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and band Involvement. Nobody was prepared for the Los Angeles hard rock explosion of the early 80s except, funnily enough, the bands themselves. Activity in the clubs on Sunset Strip had reached tipping point by the time Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot were packing out these venues and, just like an explosion in a circus, literally hundreds of bands came tumbling out of the hills ready and willing to claim a slice of the action. Looking good and talking the talk might have worked for some but if you really wanted to hit the big time then you had to be loaded with talent and songs.

Step forward Ratt. With a successful independent EP eliciting a tsunami wave of major label interest, Ratt signed with industry heavyweights Atlantic records and were put in the studio with rising production star Beau Hill (later to work with Winger, Warrant, Gary Moore) and record their debut album. Issued in 1984, the results were spectacular; a record that became a three million seller and produced two hit singles in Wanted Man and Round And Round , elevating the band to headline status almost immediately. The secret to Ratt's success was a unique sound, great songs and great performances especially from guitarist Warren DeMartini and vocalist Stephen Pearcy.

Full of energy, unabashed enthusiasm, musical dexterity and hooks that were instantly embedded in the nation's conscience; this was a band that took no prisoners in their rise to success. Track listing: Wanted Man; You're In Trouble; Round & Round; In Your Direction; She Wants Money; Lack Of Communication; Back For More; The Morning After; I'm Insane; Scene Of The Crime

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HHIN9OW/?tag=imwan-21

Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Classic LA Metal / Fully remastered sound shaped from 24 Bit digital technology / Contains Dance , Body Talk and Enough Is Enough / 16 page full colour booklet 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and band involvement. Formed in 1976, Ratt were initially based in San Diego before moving lock, stock and barrel to Los Angeles in 1980. By this time, however, only vocalist Stephen Pearcy remained from their original line up, with a new unit assembled to take the LA metal scene by storm. Establishing themselves as one of the hottest acts playing the clubs they were soon snapped up by Atlantic Records whose belief was fully justified when their debut album Out Of The Cellar sold in excess of three million copies and produced a major hit single with Round And Round .

The band continued to rack-up further platinum awards with the follow up album Invasion Of Your Privacy and played sold out arena concerts before going back into the studio to record Dancing Under Cover . It was a testing time for the band, relationships were strained and cracks began to show. They had barely taken their foot of the gas pedal since recording their debut album and those close to the situation were concerned that such fast paced activity was having a detrimental effect. It's a minor miracle then that this album maintained such impressive quality. Produced, to pin point accuracy, by long-time associate Beau Hill (Winger, Kix, Warrant), the album contains a fine selection of songs in the finest Ratt tradition. Check out the swish and swagger of Dance , Body Talk and Enough Is Enough ; all killer, no filler. Track listing: Dance; One Good Lover; Slip Of The Lip; Body Talk; Looking For Love; 7th Avenue; It Doesn't Matter; Take A Chance; Enough Is Enough

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HHINA3C/?tag=imwan-21

I'm in.

Have any Ratt albums ever been remastered other than say a Japanese release?

This is one of the only Hair bands I ever liked due to the guitar work and gritty vocals and I do not consider them Hair Metal anyway.

I imagine they will do more of the catalogue as well.

Surprised Atlantic gave them the masters but Rock Candy really work hard at getting bigger acts now along with great forgotten ones.

I thought they were remaster once but really not sure.

I'm in for "Out of the Cellar" but will pass on Dancing.

Rick A.

What was the deal again with their first hits comp, Ratt & Roll 8191? All remixes, not the hit versions, or some such?

Rock Candy isn't much for bonus tracks, but it would've been nice to append the tracks from Ratt's indie EP to Out of the Cellar.

Very true. I like all 3 so I'll pick them up.

I thought after Invasion Of Your Privacy they only came up with about 3-4 really good cuts on each album (although their reunion albums are shockingly good and heavy with no slickness). But those really good songs were pretty killer.

Warren DiMartini is one helluva guitar player man.

Dancing Undercover does have a few gems like "Dance" (love that one), "Slip Of The Lip" and "Body Talk" (also on The Golden Child soundtrack).

I don't think I will get any of these but might consider it.

Not sure Jimbo-was not aware of those songs being remixed. Is that right?

The only comp I have is the newest one Tell The World which is excellent (as is the remastering).

One thing is for sure though.

Ratt & Roll had one awesome powerhouse cut in "Nobody Rides For Free" (also on the new comp) which was also on the Point Break soundtrack. Oh boy, what a bad-ass song that is.

Only wish they had gone in that direction with another album.

I misread, I thought they were doing Invasion Of Your Privacy too.

Plus like Jake E Lee, he uses Charvel guitars! Love my new San Dimas hard tail.

In Europe they released an Original Album Series box of the first five Ratt albums and this link says they were all remastered:
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ratt-f ... s-box-set/
However, I've never seen any commentary on any boards regarding this release so I wonder if they were remastered or not. The similar King's X Original Album Series box was released around the same time and those were definitely not remastered.

I'm not surprised to see Rock Candy land Dancing Undercover but it is surprising to see Atlantic give up Out of the Cellar. But maybe that's the new plan for the big labels....package a series of albums together for a low price and "sub" out individual titles to specialty labels for remasters.

I am looking at the Ratt 8191 comp right now and there is no mention of remixes in any of the notes. I don't remember any of it being remixed but it's been a long, long time since I gave this a listen. It does say Bob Ludwig remastered the whole thing.

Dancing Undercover was widely panned and I was lukewarm to the record back when it was released. But today I'd say it's my favorite Ratt album and I've run into a number of other people that share that opinion. While there is definitely a good bit of commercial material on it, overall it has a darker feel than the rest of their albums and I believe that has given it more staying power. If you weren't crazy about it when it was released, it may be worth your time to give it another listen.

Sometimes Rock Candy offer up releases out of order.

I can't imagine they'd do these and not Invasion Of Your Privacy and possibly the other Atlantic albums Reach For The Sky and Detonator.

I also can't imagine that Original Albums Box is remastered-I really doubt that and would be shocked if so.

Reviewers on Amazon say the copies in the Original Album Series are definitely not remastered. Not sure why I didn't check there first?!

Well, now we know for sure!

I doubt the Dokken ones were too and Rock Candy did those first 3 albums, so they are getting some major releases which have never been remastered in the US.

Not sure why, but I've never really delved into Ratt's catalogue, even though I like "Round and Round".

Listened to the Rock Candy's reissue of their first album the other weekend. It kicks! Now I got to send them an E-Mal to get the second out as well.

Rick A.