Detonator (album)

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Detonator
Studio album by Ratt
Released	August 21, 1990
Recorded	???
Genre	Glam Metal
Length	42:12
Label	Atlantic Records
Producer(s)	Desmond Child; Sir Arthur Payson
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Ratt chronology
Reach for the Sky (1988)	Detonator (1990)	Ratt & Roll 81-91 (1991)

Detonator is Ratt's fifth studio album. Released in 1990, it was the first album that failed to go platinum for the glam metal legends.

Though their previous album, Reach for the Sky, sold enough albums to meet expectations for the band, it met with much criticism regarding the quality of their songs. To be sure, even the band realized they were cruising along on neutural after the success of their first three albums and had grown complacent by the time it came to write songs for "Reach for the Sky".

Scrambling to reignite the spark that made Ratt such a force to be reckoned with during the mid 80's, the band parted ways with long-time producer Beau Hill. Hitmaker Desmond Child was hired to helm the project, the results of which show a Ratt more polished and focused than ever heard previous.

The band itself has some strong moments on the album, especially guitarist Warren DeMartini. From the crushing, detuned guitar riff of "Shame Shame Shame" to the swaggering "All or Nothing", Detonator the venerable axe slinger asserting himself through his myriad musical talents.

However, it was the raw live-sounding energy of the band's earlier work that defined the unique Ratt sound. While a masterfully produced album, it lacked the vitality and urgency of the Ratt that "emerged from the cellar" six years prior. Submission to such cynicism stripped the L.A. rock heroes of the urgency their music had during their heyday.

Detonator, released on the eve of the grunge revolution of the early '90s, would signal the end of Ratt's golden era. Soon after production was completed for the album, guitarist Robbin "The King" Crosby exited the band. Within two years, the remaining members would go their own ways.

Contents 1 Track listing 2 Line-Up 3 Chart positions 3.1 Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album 3.2 Billboard (North America) - singles 4 Personnel 5 External links

[edit] Track listing

1. "Intro to Shame"– 0:55
2. "Shame Shame Shame"– 4:32
3. "Lovin' You's A Dirty Job"– 3:14
4. "Scratch That Itch"– 3:16
5. "One Step Away"– 4:50
6. "Hard Time"– 3:46
7. "Heads I Win, Tails You Lose"– 3:59
8. "All Or Nothing"– 4:14
9. "Can't Wait On Love"– 4:04
10. "Givin' Yourself Away"– 5:26
11. "Top Secret"– 3:49

[edit] Line-Up

• Stephen Pearcy: Lead Vocals
• Warren DeMartini: Guitar
• Robbin Crosby: Guitar
• Juan Croucier: Bass
• Bobby Blotzer: Drums

[edit] Chart positions

[edit] Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album

• 1990 The Billboard 200 No. 23

[edit] Billboard (North America) - singles

• 1990 "Lovin' You's a Dirty Job" Mainstream Rock Tracks No. 18
• 1990 "Givin' Yourself Away" Mainstream Rock Tracks No. 39

[edit] Personnel

• Jon Bon Jovi: Guest background vocals on "Heads I Win, Tails You Lose"
• Desmond Child: Co-wrote Shame Shame Shame, Lovin' You's A Dirty Job, One Step Away, Heads I Win, Tails You Lose and Givin' Yourself Away.

[edit] External links

• Album Lyrics