Reach for the Sky (Ratt album)

Reach for the Sky is the fourth studio album by American glam metal band Ratt, released in 1988 by Atlantic Records.

Background
Though it sold well enough to achieve platinum status and spawned the popular songs "Way Cool Jr." and "I Want a Woman", the record's performance was not enough to keep the group on the road for longer than seven months. As a result, "What's It Gonna Be", a track not released as a single, was used as a B-side to "Lovin' You's a Dirty Job", the first single from the band's next release Detonator. In doing so, it was hoped that listeners would go back and give Reach for the Sky a second listen.

Reach for the Sky marked the last Ratt album to be produced by Beau Hill. The band originally intended for the record to be produced entirely by Mike Stone. However, substandard DAT tape recordings of Stone's production efforts prompted then-Atlantic Records president Doug Morris to bring in Hill to assist Stone and salvage the album.

Opening acts on the promotional record tour included Great White, Warrant and Kix.

Pro-wrestler Brian Pillman used "Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds" as his theme music, when WCW talent went on tour with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Another pro wrestler, Larry Zbyszko, used "City To City" as his theme music in New Japan.

Critical reception
Upon release Nick Robinson of British magazine Music Week reviewed the album more or less positively. He said the "production and sound is virtually faultless", but expressed a shame about a lack of originality in "good hard rock stuff."

Personnel

 * Ratt
 * Stephen Pearcy – lead vocals
 * Robbin Crosby – lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals
 * Warren DeMartini – lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals
 * Juan Croucier – bass guitar, backing vocals
 * Bobby Blotzer – drums, percussion, harmonica, washboard


 * Additional musicians
 * New West Horns arranged by Chris Botti and Kent Smith


 * Production
 * Beau Hill – producer, mixing
 * Mike Stone – producer
 * Stephen Benben – engineer, mixing
 * Al Wright – engineer
 * Marty Hornburg, Tom Banghart, Jim Mitchell – assistant engineers