Great Metal Albums of 1986: RATT- Dancing Undercover

When “Dancing Undercover” from RATT came out, my sister stated that they should change their name to RUTT. Her point being that the album sounded exactly like their first two. Actually, she may be right in this case, there is a bit of a ‘been there, done that’ feel to the album but at least they didn’t resort to synthesizers like some other bands were doing at the time.

What the album doesn’t have which the first two had was a big single. Debut album “Outta the Cellar” brought the world, “Round and Round” and “Invasion of Your Privacy” gave us the phenomenal “You’re in Love.” Both songs got me listening to those albums without any hesitation. The single from “Dancing Undercover,” “Dance,” wasn’t a chart sensation. In fact, I think there are better songs on the album, actually practically all of them.

As far as I’m concerned, the album doesn’t get into full swing until the third track, “Drive Me Crazy.” That one is an uptempo metal jam where Stephen Pearcy’s voice doesn’t sound tired and hosts a cool guitar solo. I assume it was Warren DeMartini who played it but Wikipedia isn’t forthcoming on it.

“Slip of the Lip” progresses things along even further. This is one powerful tune where the guitars pound at the catchy chorus, “Loose lips sink ships, the way you move, you don’t mess.” This one gets my vote for hidden gem. But if I were to choose a better song for the single, it would be “Body Talk.” This song sounds more like the two big singles from the previous albums which made RATT a sensation. I love that guitar solo. It was released as a single in Japan so the question is: why not anywhere else?

Talking about songs more suited to be a better single than “Dance,” then the first song on side two, “Looking for Love” is a definite candidate. It has that catchy melody but at the same time, no less hard rock. Gee, if I had a time machine, I would go back and advise the band on this. It could have made the album more successful.

“7th Avenue” is a good stomper but not one I would call single material. Still, it earns its place on the album. It is the beginning of the end for the album as the other songs, while not filler, they’re not spectacular either. They serve to take the album out on a steady ride.

Track Listing:

1. Dance
2. One Good Lover
3. Drive Me Crazy
4. Slip of the Lip
5. Body Talk
6. Looking for Love
7. 7th Avenue
8. Doesn’t Matter
9. Take a Chance
10. Enough is Enough

Ratt

Stephen Pearcy- lead vocals

Warren DeMartini- guitar, backing vocals

Robbin Crosby- guitar, backing vocals

Juan Crocier- bass, backing vocals

Bobby Blotzer- drums, percussion

Another happening pertaining to RATT from 1986 is that in said year, Stephen Pearcy posed for Playgirl Magazine. I know of some ladies who stated that the crotch area looked a bit ‘deflated,’ thus fueling the suspicion that Stephen stuffed a pair of socks down his trousers before going on stage.

Stephen Pearcy in Playgirl

The big question is, was RATT in a rut as a result of “Dancing Undercover?” My answer is not really as there are a couple of fresh sounding songs on it. However, it’s not nearly as good as the first two album. Recently, I listened to the 2010 “Infestation” album and thought that was better. Still, this album isn’t bad.

Next post: Great White- Shot in the Dark

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Mike Ledano has just received his in the post so there are no worries there.

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