Guitar/Vocals - Brian Setzer
Upright Bass - Lee Rocker
Drums - Slim Jim Phantom
The Stray Cats are probably one of the most underrated bands of the last 30 years. Before 1984, when The Stray Cats broke up for the first time, they left behind 3 excellent records. 'The Stray Cats', 'Gonna Ball', and 'Rant 'N Rave'... The first 2 records were never released stateside, instead they were combined into one record (about half the songs from each album were included) and released as 'Built For Speed'... Most people probably know The Cats from 'Built For Speed' and have never given this record a second thought. Instead of just rockabilly, this album also included 50's rock 'n roll ('Look At That Cadillac'), punkabilly ('How Long....'), a ballad ('I Won't Stand In Your Way') and straight up rock ('Something's Wrong With My Radio' and 'Rebel's Rule'), and outside of 2 minor hits, this album was never very successful.
1. Rebels Rule - (3:26)
The record starts out with a motor reved up and ready to go, which kick-starts an addicting tom beat from Phantom and a catchy acoustic guitar riff from Setzer. Rocker adds in an effective bassline, and you've got yourself one terrific opening track. With classic and sometimes funny lyrics about being a rebel, and a funny exchange between Setzer and what sounds like himself imitating an adult, Rebels Rule is a perfect opening track. - "
The music you play is WAY too loud... Rock 'n Roll is never too loud!"
2. Too Hip, Gotta Go - (2:35)
The song song kicks in immediately, like many of Setzer's songs. The first rockabilly song of the record deals with leaving town. Setzer rights about being too good for the town he lives in, and he thinks he deserves better. - "I'm in love, she's in lust, my suitcase's gatherin' dust, maybe, baby, maybe, I'll see you some day" Setzer again rights another great rockabilly tune, but it's too bad the drums aren't as interesting as the guitar and bass. But, that doesn't really change the fact that, once again, Setzer writes another great song.
3. Look At That Cadillac - (4:02)
Classic 50's-style rock 'n roll, with a catchy sax part and a fun chorus to sing along to, the song is about as simple as you can get, yet it works. This is the reason The Stray Cats were(are) a great band, they don't need to write complicated music to make it sound good. The subject matter of this song is about wanting a cadillac, but to me, it sounds just like wanting something more in your life. - "I got a job, down at the liquor store, I'm not lazy, but I don't wanna work no more...", one of The Cats best songs. If this song doesn't make you wanna dance, you've got no heart ;)...
4. Something's Wrong With My Radio - (2:37)
The intro starts with the radio being tuned to random stations, and into a 70s punkish guitar intro. This song has a lot of fun drumrolls, and fun back up vocals. The bassline is a little subdued, but it works. 'Something's Wrong With My Radio' is simply about rockin', and that's what the song makes you want to do. "Something's Wrong With My Radio, it says slow down, but I say GO!, They might stare, but baby I don't care, We're gonna rock rock rock!!!" One of the two songs on the album by Setzer, Phantom and Rocker.
5. 18 Miles To Memphis - (2:58)
18 Mile To Memphis has a country twang feel to it. The song is about touring, and how they deal with it. "We're 18 miles to memphis, and we won't leave 'til we've rocked you out!" The guitar is (again) the most dominant instrument on this track, but it doesn't really matter, because yet again, it works. The country twang helps to make it sound different than any other Stray Cats song. 18 miles to Memphis is also a live favorite.
6. (She's) Sexy + 17 - (3:28)
The album's 'hit' single. The song's about a bunch of kids ditching school and going to the rock show. The girl in the title is the one the protagonist of the song is after. Other than the catchy chorus - "Well she's sexy and seventeen, My little rock-roll queen, Acts a little bit obscene, Gotta let off a little steam Dig that sound shake it around, you're mine , mine , mine..." this song is another great one from Setzer. Phantom hits the snare really loudly, and Rocker's got a very catchy bassline going. And of course, Setzer's got a great guitar solo nailed down.
7. Dig Dirty Doggy - (2:00)
Okay. This song is about..... A dog.... A very smart dog. The extremely odd lyrics aside, the song's got another excellent bassline by Rocker and another fun beat by Phantom. Setzer sings the lyrics with strange conviction and plays his guitar as well as ever. All in all, a great song with questionable lyrics. But, that helps make it another winner by Setzer. - "Well he's half hotdog and half great dane, Call him a mutt and he'll bark insane, One big one small, yet love they found, One used a ladder and the other laid down..." It may be a great song, but it's still weird.
8. I Won't Stand In Your Way - (3:55)
Fan favorite 'I Won't Stand In Your Way' is a 50s style ballad. It's got a simple beat flowing throughout, as well as a quiet bassline and very subtle guitar. It's a little different lyrically then your typical ballad though. - "I, I got a low down dirty feeling, That I've been cheated on, and lied to, If it's so then it's wrong, we've hung on for so long, Why don't we have that magic anymore?" The song is about him being cheated on and pondering why it happened. Lyrically, it sounds like the pre-cursor to 'Too Hip, Gotta Go', yet musically it's unlike any other Stray Cats song. Another winner.
9. Hot Rod Gang - (2:45)
The song is about hot rods. But, it's more about the inside of the car then just admiring them. - "Oh hotrod car just movin' on down, the line (Hotrod car just movin' on down the line), Well hey pretty baby one day i'm gonna make you mine!" The song's got a funny chorus, that makes you just wanna sing along, regardless of how silly it is. The song feels like the sequel to 'Look At That Cadillac', but with it's wonky lyrics and fun sound, it's got it's own unique identity.
10. How Long You Wanna Live, Anyway? - (2:40)
The loudest song on the album. With some exciting drumrolls and a simple beat, a fantastic bassline and a great guitar riff, this is the best and most underrated song in the Cats' catalogue. - "Well you're growing old man and you ain't having no fun, Well I'm still young and I'm getting
me some, Well you can hide away and you can live like a monk, And I'll be a low down dirty skunk, Maybe I'll only last a year and a day, Like how long you wanna live anyway?" The song that closes up 'Rant N Rave', sums up the entire album. No matter what you try to do, he'll going on living his life the way he wants, despite what you feel he needs to do or be. And that's what The Cats were all about. The second song by Setzer, Phantom And Rocker.
In conclusion, this is The Stray Cats finest (half) hour. With a tight 30:40 under it's belt, and a solid 10 tracks, there is no filler, just quality. If you're interested in Rockabilly or The Stray Cats, or are just looking for a great rock album, "Rant 'N Rave" does NOT disappoint. 5 out of 5.
