I had long given up on the band by the time their 1990 album dropped. Production wise it became a mess as they brought Desmond Child. who worked well for Kiss , but the things that define Ratt, get lost in the big arena hooks which sound like something Paul Stanley should be singing instead. This is also the last Ratt album with the original line up. They come closer to capturing who they once were on "Scratch That Itch" but there are too many guitars going into directions that takes the emphasis off of Pearcy's performance. There is slide guitar and things that sound more like Van Halen going on which is not who these guys are.
"One Step Away' reaffirms how lost they are in the studio as it sounds like this should be a Bon Jovi song. "Hard Time" sounds like it could have been on "Dancing Undercover" , making it the best song so far. They are not so fortunate with the cowbell homage to Bon Jovi that is "Heads I Win" . DeMartini's guitar solos are often this album's saving grace. "All or Nothing" goes too full tilt on soulful back up singers, which is not who Ratt are. "Can't Wait on Love" proves they have not totally forgotten who they are , and sounds like the band with the least amount of interference from the label.
"Givin Yourself Away" finds Pearcy singing below his normal higher pitched sneer. It is more a power ballad, that might not be as sappy as "Home Sweet Home" but not packing the same punch they once did. The vocals are pretty awkward on the verses though. It reminds me a little of Cheap Trick. They end the album with more of a rocker. I will give this one an 8, it's not as bad as I feared, in fact it's pretty decent but not really the Ratt we want.
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