Assault & Battery
Rose Tattoo · 1981
39 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
Raucous hard rock anthems collide with gritty narratives and raw energy, encapsulating the spirit of early '80s Australian rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Assault & Battery — The title track embodies the band's signature sound through powerful instrumentation and anthemic vocals, serving as a rallying cry that captures their rebellious spirit.
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Out of This Place — This opening track sets an energetic tone for the album, showcasing the band's hard rock prowess while addressing themes of escape and freedom.
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Suicide City — A standout for its darker lyrical content, this track weaves vivid imagery with intense rhythms, reflecting urban struggles that resonate deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures raw energy and solid songwriting typical of early '80s Australian rock, with notable dynamics and instrumentation.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, maintaining this intensity through the first half before introducing slower, more reflective songs.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, creating an engaging dynamic between the lead singer and backing harmonies.
- The instrumentation prominently features distorted guitars and driving rhythms, typical of hard rock, with occasional tempo shifts that keep the listener engaged.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- raw, gritty emotional expression
- mid-tempo reflective moments
- engaging storytelling through lyrics
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Assault & Battery' was released in 1981, Rose Tattoo had solidified their reputation as a prominent force in the Australian rock scene following their self-titled debut in 1978. This album came during a period when the band was beginning to gain international attention, particularly in the UK, and it marked their continued evolution as a hard rock outfit blending heavy riffs with lyrical storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- AC/DC· Motörhead· Thin Lizzy
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Out of This Place 4:20
- 2 All the Lessons 3:03
- 3 Let It Go 3:40
- 4 Assault & Battery 3:25
- 5 Magnum Maid 3:10
- 6 I Had You First 2:35
- 7 Rock 'n' Roll Is King 4:20
- 8 Manzil Madness 2:12
- 9 Chinese Dunkirk 5:50
- 10 Sidewalk Sally 3:00
- 11 Suicide City 4:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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