Every town or state has a rock 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 new 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. ~ Greg Prato