CLASSICS [Vinyl]

Ratatat | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (September 12, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: XL Records
• ASIN: B000GH3CP2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,931 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #70 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Electronic Pop
  • #72 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Electronica

Track Listings

1. Montanita

2. Lex

3. Gettysburg

4. Wildcat

5. Tropicana

6. Loud Pipes

7. Kennedy

8. Swisha

9. Nostrand

10. Tacobel Canon

Editorial Reviews

"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. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Fat Beats From RATATAT, September 11, 2006

By 

Logan Seguin (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So Good You Won't Miss The Vocals, April 25, 2007

By 

Thomas Horan (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a "classic", September 7, 2006

By 

Craig (Plowville, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)

"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.