POP MUSIC

Ratt, the first San Diego heavy metal band to be signed by a major label, has released its fifth album on Atlantic Records.

“Detonator” is much lighter and more commercial-sounding than their last album, 1988’s “Reach for the Sky,” which went gold but didn’t sell nearly as well as their previous albums. That’s because all the songs on “Detonator” were co-written with executive producer Desmond Child, who has penned hits for the likes of Bon Jovi and Alice Cooper.

It was a good move, bringing in some outside help. Ever since their double-platinum Atlantic debut, 1984’s “Out of the Cellar,” the members of Ratt have been having an increasingly tough time coming up with new ideas. Yet they persisted in writing their own material, repeating themselves over and over again, until someone apparently convinced them a change was in order.

Hard-core head bangers might sneer at this new “Ratt Lite,” but as far as I’m concerned, the change is for the better. For once, there are actually songs with distinct melodies, songs with hooks, songs that sound like songs instead of a beer bottle cap stuck in a garbage disposal. “Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job” is a particularly radio-ready track; “Hard Time” is a great rock ‘n’ roll song with some spectacular lead guitar work by Warren DeMartini.

Atlantic has also issued a Ratt video, “Detonator: Videoaction 1991.” The half-hour tape includes two tunes apiece off “Detonator” and “Reach for the Sky,” as well as an interview conducted by Little Richard.

Ratt began life in San Diego in the late 1970s as Mickey Ratt. It regularly played the Spirit in Bay Park and various teen clubs, such as the long-gone Journey in Kearny Mesa. In 1981, lead singer Stephen Pearcy moved the band to Los Angeles and shortened its name to Ratt.

Several personnel changes later (which saw fellow expatriate San Diegans DeMartini and guitarist Robbin Crosby join the group), Ratt was signed by Enigma Records, which released the eponymous debut in 1983; a year later, Ratt was picked up by Atlantic, for whom it has recorded ever since.