One of the greatest sophomore albums in all of hard rock and heavy metal. Ratt’s ‘Invasion of Your Privacy’ was a step up from their strong and successful debut album ‘Out of the Cellar.’ Which sprung the band from the Los Angeles Sunset Strip into megastardom. They avoided the all too common second album slump. A trend that has happened since the dawn of popular music. Their second album shattered through the glass of the trend, solidifying a talented, killer band.
It lasted for about seven years. The peak of Ratt’s success. During the time of the hard rock and metal reign of popular music. And perhaps no band was more of the time than Ratt. The songs, the skills, the live shows, the outfits and images. All complete with an unlimited supply of drugs and women. But what made Ratt stand out from the rest of the pack was simply excellent song structure, a timelessness in how they constructed rock songs. And also not conforming to the all too popular synthesizer. No matter what they always stuck to their twin guitars, heavy bass, big drums and raspy vocals.
And their mega sophomore album ‘Invasion of Your Privacy’ may just be the best example of Ratt’s power. Riff after riff. Groove after groove. Guitar solos blending technical prowess and feel. Also, a monster Beau Hill production to boot. The first four tracks are a wham, bam, slam boom!! One of the strongest starts to any album of the genre. ‘You’re In Love’ starts off as a perfectly placed opener. The opening solo riff with the band drops make for excellent firework opportunities live. Then the huge boom of ‘Never Use Love’ blows the speakers out of the walls. Followed by thick, effective riffs; layered like a delicious cake. The smash hit ‘Lay It Down’ follows with it’s dark, mysterious groove. It’s sexy and gloomy at the same time. Which a rare find in 80’s hard rock. Actually, now that I think of it, a lot the album is that way. The next track ‘Give It All’ is certainly in that vain. It’s highlight is one of the most underrated guitar solos in all of rock. It’s just a slamming solo. Blending technicality and passion beautifully. ‘Closer To My Heart’ is a super gritty ballad with classic, crisp 80’s tropes. It’s the low point on the album in my opinion. But the heavy groove of the song keeps the album in the strong areas of the ballad craze of the 80’s.
The back end of the album is just as good the front. It maintains the darker edge with songs like ‘Between The Eyes’ and ‘What You Give Is What You Get.’ They’re great back to back tracks. Similar in flavor but not exact copies of each other. The albums track organization is undoubtably nearly perfect. The album quickly heads into party mode with the last three songs. ‘Got Me On The Line’ starts in perfect phone ring fashion. An awesome 80’s sample. The riff is so catchy. You can just listen to it over and over again. A prime example of how Ratt wrote superior songs than their peers. They were a big band. And if they had a proper reunion with what they have left’ they’re one of the only bands from the era that can do amphitheater tours. But I still feel like they really never got as massive as they could and should have been. Because there is a timelessness to their songs that a lot of 80’s acts do not possess. The next song ‘You Should know By Now’ holds the high standard of the album. With an earworm of a chorus and yet another explosively catchy riff. Not to mention the epicness of the cowbell/chorus breakdown three fourths of the way through. The record closes with ‘Dangerous But Worth The Risk.’ A song that really has bad ass, driving groove. Juan Crucier’s bass digs into the skin. Such excellent touch and feel. And Bobby Blotzer’s drumming is right with him. Yet another killer guitar solo fills the middle. Coupled with Pearcy’s fierce vocal attack and you’ve got an explosive song.
From top to bottom ‘Invasion of Your Privacy’ is a perfect album. And it’s worthy of recognition in the echelons of hard rock. Let’s celebrate a terrific album from top to bottom. A timeless classic released in an era of time capsule music. What are some of your favorite tracks on the the album?
