Ratt

Released in 1983 on the independent Time Coast label, the Ratt EP serves as the foundational document of the band's 'Ratt n' Roll' sound. While the band would achieve global superstardom with 1984's Out of the Cellar, this self-titled debut showcases a rawer, more aggressive version of their aesthetic. It is historically significant for selling over 100,000 copies as an independent release, a feat that triggered a bidding war and their eventual signing to Atlantic Records. The EP features early versions of staples like 'Back for More' and 'You Think You're Tough,' which are notably less polished and more guitar-centric than their later re-recordings. Guitarist Robbin Crosby’s 'blues with a twist' style is the melodic backbone of the record, providing a sophisticated counterpoint to Stephen Pearcy's street-wise vocals. The cover art, featuring the legs of Tawny Kitaen, became an iconic image of the era's burgeoning glam aesthetic. Following the band's mainstream breakout, Atlantic remixed the EP in 1984 to give it a glossier sheen, but the original 1983 pressings remain prized for their unvarnished hard rock energy.