Top 10 Ratt Albums Covers

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Our Top 10 Ratt Albums Covers looks at American glam metal band that originated in San Diego, California, in 1976. The band gained significant prominence in the 1980s, marking their territory in the music business with their infectious blend of hard rock and heavy metal, infused with a dose of pop sensibility. Ratt is particularly noted for their contributions to the glam metal scene, with their music and style influencing a generation of bands within the genre.

The band’s journey to stardom began with the release of their self-titled first EP in 1983, followed by their debut studio album “Out of the Cellar” in 1984. The album was a commercial success, propelled by the hit single “Round and Round.” Over the years, Ratt has released a total of 9 studio albums, several EPs, live albums, and compilations, cementing their legacy in the rock music scene.

Ratt drew inspiration from early hard rock and heavy metal acts, including Aerosmith, Van Halen, and the Rolling Stones, blending these influences into their unique sound. In turn, Ratt’s success and distinctive style played a pivotal role in inspiring subsequent bands in the glam metal and hard rock genres throughout the 1980s and beyond.

# 10 –Ratt & Roll 8191

We open our Top 10 Ratt Albums Covers with the Ratt & Roll 8191 album. This compilation album collected Ratt’s biggest hits and album cuts from 1983 to 1991. It charted at number fifty-seven on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. We look at how the picture of the band in the foreground matches up against the Ratt logo in black, painted on a red background.

# 9 – Infestation

The green glow is scary but it makes its point. Infestation represents the seventh and concluding studio album by the American glam metal ensemble Ratt, marking their inaugural collection of new material since the 1999 self-titled release, and their initial offering following the passing of Robbin Crosby in 2002. Distinguished as the sole record to include contributions from guitarist Carlos Cavazo, known for his tenure with Quiet Riot, the album heralded a period of upheaval for the band. By 2018, a reshuffling saw all members part ways with the group, with the exception of lead vocalist Stephen Pearcy. The album saw its release through Loud & Proud Records, under the umbrella of Roadrunner Records, which was at the time associated with their longstanding label, Atlantic Records.

# 8 – Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt

Continuing our Ratt album covers list, we turn to another compilation album. Sometimes less is more, if you know what I mean. Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt is an expansive compilation album. This collection showcases standout songs from each of the band’s six studio albums, highlighting their run of platinum-certified albums during the peak years of the mid-to-late 1980s, such as Out of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy, Dancing Undercover, and Reach for the Sky. It includes tracks from their 1990 release Detonator and the 1999 eponymous album, alongside a track from the 1997 rarities collection Collage. Adding to the diversity, the compilation features a cherished track from their 1990 acoustic set on MTV Unplugged and a single contributed to the 1991 Point Break movie soundtrack. Interestingly, despite its title, “Tell the World” from the band’s initial 1983 EP does not make an appearance in this collection, leaving the EP without representation in this career-spanning album.

# 7 – Ratt

The band’s sixth studio album was released in 1999. At the time, the band consisted of Stephen Pearcy on lead vocals, Warren DeMartini on guitars and backing vocals, Robbie Crane on bass, and Bobby Blotzer on drums. We like how the band used only the colors yellow and red mixed in with black shading to produce a very eerie cover.

# 6 – Dancing Undercover

Dancing Undercover was the band’s third studio album, released in 1986. It is one of the only album covers to feature pictures of the band, which we think is pretty cool. They did an excellent job of the way they laid out the musicians on the cover, making this one of our favorite Ratt albums covers. The album cover featured Stephen Pearcy, Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini, Juan Croucier and Bobby Blotzer.

# 5 – Reach for the Sky

At the halfway point on our Ratt album covers list is the album Reach for the Sky. This is one of those album covers that jumps out at you right away before you take a step back and try to figure out what is going on in the cover art.

# 4 – Detonator

We just liked the artwork on this cover. The colors in the photo really stand out. Released on August 21, 1990, by Atlantic Records, Detonator stands as the fifth studio album from the American glam metal ensemble Ratt. Notably, this album marks the final appearance of bassist Juan Croucier prior to his hiatus from the band, which lasted until 2012, and guitarist Robbin Crosby, who passed away in 2002, making it a significant entry in the band’s discography for its lineup as much as its music.

# 3 – Ratt

A lot of fans may have never seen this one. This was the band’s first EP released in 1983. It contained a few songs that we be re-recorded and released on future albums when they signed a major label recording contract with Atlantic Records. As far as the cover, that was supermodel and rock and roll video woman Tawny Kitaen, who most fans got to know in all those stunning Whitesnake videos she appeared in. Our only question is, were those rats pasted in post-production on her legs, or was she just completely fearless?

# 2 – Out Of The Cellar

Released in 1984 by Atlantic Records, Out of the Cellar marked the explosive debut of American heavy metal band Ratt, catapulting them to the forefront of the glam metal movement in Los Angeles. The album’s cover art featured the late Tawny Kitaen, who was well-known for her roles in Whitesnake’s music videos and was the girlfriend of Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby at the time. Everyone loved Tawny, she was pure rock and roll. Kitaen’s captivating presence on the cover and in the music video for “Back for More” added a visual dimension to the album that resonated with fans.

With “Round and Round” leading the charge as the album’s standout hit, the album received extensive radio play and was a staple on MTV, propelling it to triple platinum status according to the RIAA. This record not only established Ratt as a dominant force in the music scene but also became their most triumphant release.

# 1 – Invasion of Your Privacy

We close out our top 10 Ratt album covers list with the band’s most iconic cover. There are not many rock and roll fans that did like this cover. Invasion of Your Privacy, marked the sophomore studio release from Ratt. The album hit the shelves in 1985. This album brought forth hit singles, including “Lay It Down,” “You’re in Love,” and “What You Give Is What You Get.” Under the production expertise of Beau Hill. In case you were wondering, the album’s artwork featured Marianne Gravatte, a renowned Playboy model who also starred in the music video for “Lay It Down.”