Top tracks — play these first
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Shame Shame Shame Start here — This track features a catchy chorus and gritty lyrics that exemplify Ratt's signature blend of glam and hard rock. Its energetic vibe captures the band's attempt to stay relevant in a changing music scene.
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Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job — With its infectious hooks and playful lyrics, this song showcases Ratt's knack for combining humor with hard rock elements, making it a standout track on the album.
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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose — This track delivers an engaging mix of melody and heavier instrumentation, highlighting Ratt's ability to balance commercial appeal with rock grit during a challenging era.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Detonator showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks the cohesion and impact of earlier works.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental intro that sets a gritty tone before launching into high-energy tracks with driving guitar riffs.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies during the choruses, creating anthemic moments typical of glam metal.
- The tempo varies throughout, with tracks like 'Hard Time' maintaining a steady pace while others like 'Scratch That Itch' incorporate faster rhythms.
- The final track, 'Top Secret', features a fade-out ending, which contrasts with the more abrupt conclusions of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- catchy hooks and melodies
- dynamic emotional journeys
- engaging, anthemic choruses
- short, punchy songs
- energetic listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Represents a solid entry in Ratt's catalog but lacks broader recognition.
- Themes
- mid-'90s rock struggle· glam metal adaptation· playful rebellion
- Career context
- Detonator is Ratt's fifth studio album, released in 1990 during a period when the band was grappling with a decline in popularity following the height of their success in the mid-'80s. This album marked a shift as they attempted to adapt their sound amidst changing musical trends and internal tensions within the band.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Poison· Def Leppard· Warrant
Tracklist
- 1 Intro to Shame 0:55
- 2 Shame Shame Shame Start here 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
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Slave to the Grind
Skid Row
Shares gritty guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, reflecting a similar glam metal intensity.
Flesh & Blood
Poison
Blends playful rebellion with soaring vocals and catchy hooks, embodying late glam metal spirit.
Cherry Pie
Warrant
Features melodic hard rock with anthemic choruses, resonating with the glam metal vibe of its time.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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