Great American Music

AMG Review of Great American Music

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

Every town or state has a ock band that is well regarded locally, but outside of that jurisdiction remains quite obscure. Thus was the case with New York's the Good Rats. A top draw during the 1970s -- especially on Long Island -- the Good Rats had some close calls with widespread success, and issued several albums, including 1981's Great American Music. One of their more commercial sounding releases, the album is sonically comparable to the clean-sounding albums that both Frank Zappa and /p>

ew wave acts were issuing at the time -- especially on such standouts as "Julie" and "Great American Music Halls" -- while the loud and rowdy Rats of old resurface on the album-opening "New York Survivor." Proving to be the group's last release (until leader Peppi Marchello resuscitated the band in the '90s), Great American Music saw the exit of longtime members John Gatto (guitar) and Lenny Kotke (bass), and the entrance of future Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick.