Ratt

It's a strange thing, listening to a new CD from '80s hair rockers Ratt in 2010. I actually had to double-check the liner notes to make sure it was Stephen Pearcy behind the mic. It is indeed Pearcy, who's sounding a bit worse for wear these days, but still has moments (such as the back-to-back "Best of Me" and "A Little Too Much") where that voice shines through, that voice that could rival all the Axls and Sebastians out there. Despite it suffering from a lack of energy, Infestation is admirable in that it doesn't attempt to ape modern sounds. It's party rock, but man, this is world-weary party rock. The excellent guitar work of Carlos Cavazo (ex-Quiet Riot, making his debut with Ratt) works hard to keep things lively, the man teasing with chops while laying down sweet melodies that hearken back to another time. The intro riff to "Best of Me" sums it all up, sounding like a soundtrack to some forgotten '80s high school flick; it sends a shiver down my spine with every listen.