Ratt "Detonator" Atlantic 1990

With Desmond Child sitting in the executive producer's chair and co-writing almost all the songs,
Ratt were probably hoping his input would have the same magic effect on their career as it had
on Bon Jovi's and Aerosmith's. Well, the songwriter was definitely the right one, although it
didn't translate into the commercial smash you might expect.
Child knows a good thing when he sees it though, and he doesn't mess with the Ratt sound much. If
you were expecting "Ratt does 'Living on a Prayer'" anthems, you're in for a shock; things stay
basically in the usual blues/ sleaze frame of mind. You do get the slick pop single "One Step 
Away", but any Ratt fans offended by this will be more than appeased by the beastiness offered
by "Shame Shame Shame" and "Can't Wait on Love". Diane Warren is called in for the power ballad
"Givin' Yourself Away" and the result -- incredibly -- works. Actually it's one of the best
power ballads of the era. 
Occasionally, Child's presence means that a hugely melodic bridge will wind up in an otherwise
uncompromising rocker -- such as in "Lovin' You's a Dirty Job" or the "please wait for me" bridge
of "Top Secret" -- leaving you wishing that there were more such moments of tuneful bliss. "All
or Nothing" is a good stab at "Way Cool Jr." Mk II, and "Heads I Win, Tails You Lose" features
layered backing vocals from none other than Jon Bon Jovi.

The last real Ratt studio album made sure they went out with something to be proud of.

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