"Classics" remains resolutely instrumental, but the band has introduced a wealth of new sounds, from acoustic and slide guitar to sleigh bells and cello. Their vastly improved production and writing makes this record a ref... more »inement of their art. "Ratatat lay squealing metal harmonies over choppy Neptunes-style dance thumps, then break into pastoral waves of keyboard tone, riding dub tempos and hip-hop struts. They're crotch-pumping arena pimps and introverted minimalists..." - Blender. "Stroud and Mast have come up with some catchy melodies over light, snappy bass lines in what sounds like something tailored for the headphones" - Urb. The band has toured with Interpol, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, The Stills, and Mouse On Mars.« less
"Classics" remains resolutely instrumental, but the band has introduced a wealth of new sounds, from acoustic and slide guitar to sleigh bells and cello. Their vastly improved production and writing makes this record a refinement of their art. "Ratatat lay squealing metal harmonies over choppy Neptunes-style dance thumps, then break into pastoral waves of keyboard tone, riding dub tempos and hip-hop struts. They're crotch-pumping arena pimps and introverted minimalists..." - Blender. "Stroud and Mast have come up with some catchy melodies over light, snappy bass lines in what sounds like something tailored for the headphones" - Urb. The band has toured with Interpol, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, The Stills, and Mouse On Mars.
"Ratatat's second album Classics, is full of energy, but mostly great instrumentation. The music is yet again all synthesizers, drum machines, guitar and bass. But this time it seems that the duo has grow up a little, with a much more mature follow up to the very good self titled album. This album has a lot more substance to it, and is faster as a whole. I got to see them on their Classics Tour and live you can see all the energy that each song has.
This album to me sounds almost like what their self titled album was supposed to be, there are lots of common threads between the albums, but Classics seems to just take the ideas further. The songs also have a more set structure, which makes it easier to get into each song.
All in all, I am a fan of their first album, but would have to say that this album is probably two times better...in my opinion."
New Ratatat fan!, addicted to 'Wildcat'
Christopher Majewski | Cincinnati, Ohio | 08/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Can't really spend a whole lot of time reviewing this album, but it's beyond genre, much like Ratatat seems to be as a whole I'll try to label them in a minute. Don't look towards this band/group for vocals, everything is a synasty mix of MIDI sounding beats, oldschool feel..it's really hardly able to be pinned and labelled. If i had to catagorize it, i'd call 'The Classics' album
"Groovin' feel-good, thunk bump sizzle jazz for underground hip kids".
Amazon should make a separate catagory now."
Truly a "classic"
Craig | Plowville, PA | 09/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""If you like Explosions in the Sky, Depeche Mode, and Air's "Moon Safari" than buy this album." I never heard of the band until it was recommened to me from the record store teen and the guy was right on. This is a cool album, very creative and by far one of my best purchases in several years and I own lots of cd's. It lacks the gimmicky pop sound often with electronic music and is not the constant repeating of a looped melody: this keeps the songs fresh after many listenings. This album goes to the top of my list as best of 2006 and will certainly be a Christmas gift for friends and family. If the band continues on this path and doesn't get lazy (like Air and Royksopp) there is little doubt they will be very well known. The next Depeche Mode?? Only time will tell, but this album is promissing and a good addition."
So Good You Won't Miss The Vocals
Thomas Horan | Chapel Hill, NC | 04/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ratatat have an instrumental sound somewhere between the softer side of Daft Punk and The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour. Don't let their gruff, hirsute faces fool you, this is seductive background music for a party, a long drive, or anything else that keeps your mind engaged or sets your body in motion."
Electronic Pep
hessa | Boston, MA | 01/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If the 80s didn't permanently turn you off to synthesizers, the electronic sounds of Ratatat contain identifiable melodies that are often evocative and sometimes quite pretty. Tracks are not noisy, mind-numbing, or endlessly repetitive as some electronic music can be. "Nostrand" in particular has a gorgeous progression from sweet and nostalgic to intense. There are no vocals (unless you count the growling feline in "Wildcat") which makes Ratatat great background music while you're working. It has enough energy to keep you alert, and there are a few peppy tracks that I admit I love to crank up in the car. The album, as you'd expect from the title, features many of Ratatat's best tracks and is a great introduction to the group."