Reach for the Sky

Released in 1988, Reach for the Sky is Ratt's fourth studio album and represents a transitional moment for the band. While it achieved platinum status, it was perceived by some as a slight commercial cooling compared to their mid-80s heights. The recording process was famously troubled; Mike Stone was initially hired to produce, but his work was deemed substandard by the label, leading to the return of longtime producer Beau Hill to salvage the sessions. This would be Hill's final collaboration with the band. Sonically, the album sees Ratt experimenting with bluesier textures, most notably on the hit single 'Way Cool Jr.', which features a prominent slide guitar and a more relaxed, swinging groove than their earlier speed-metal-adjacent work. Despite the production hurdles, the album maintains the band's signature twin-guitar attack led by Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby, solidifying their reputation as one of the most technically proficient bands of the Sunset Strip era.