AMG Review of Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt

James Christopher Monger
All Music Guide

Rhino's Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt collects 20 tracks from the popular Los Angeles hard rock quintet's releases, ranging from the group's debut EP in 1983 to its self-titled 1999 comeback album. Fans who already bought 1991's Ratt & Roll 8191 have only the enticement of a couple of newer tracks like "Steel River" from 1997's Collage, 1999's "Over the Edge," and an MTV #Unplugged version of "Way Cool Jr.," none of which are particularly memorable. That said, "Lay It Down," "Round and Round," "You're in Love, " "Slip of the Lip," "Wanted Man," and "Lack of Communication" are six of the best songs that the much maligned/beloved hair metal genre ever produced, and this collection, though padded with its share of misfires, is as good a retrospective of this talented band as you'll find anywhere.