You can trust Louder
Ratt’s reputation has taken quite a pounding recently, with drummer Bobby Blotzer unceremoniously dumped for commandeering the name to tour with a line-up of sidemen. Rodent lovers have waited patiently for new music since 2010’s surprisingly strong Infestation, and with the principals preparing to reunite at last, Smash could perhaps optimistically be viewed as some kind of hors d’oeuvre.
Pearcy has a voice that listeners love or loathe and although he’s achieved much outside the Ratt brand, it’s almost become synonymous with that band’s sleazy hard rock. Ten Miles Wide and I Can’t Take It remind us of past glories, but for a supposed one-trick pony, he really pushes the boundaries with his sixth solo album, from the bubblegrunge of opener I Know I’m Crazy to bouts of Zep, Aerosmith and Stones worship elsewhere. A new Ratt album will be worth the wait. Smash is probably for diehards only.

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.