Customer Reviews

CLASSICS [Vinyl]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

"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.

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.

I have just finished listening to this album. It has moved me. The fresh and unique guitar sounds and synths are such a contrast to most of the music you hear today. Ratatat takes a risk and suceeds with this album. 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.

Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:
**** Recommended with warm fuzzies.

Ratatat resembles a softer Daft Punk to me. I bought this CD mainly because I loved the 4th track 'Wildcat' so much. And 'Wildcat' is still my favorite track; Ratatat must also think that 'Wildcat' is the standout track because of the wildcat image on the cover art. Play 'Wildcat' for your friends and they will ask who that is and think that you are hip and stylish :-) But I rate "Classics" four stars instead of five because, like the "Ratatat" name, some of the tunes and melodies start sounding a bit repetitive if you play the entire CD from start to finish. Whether Ratatat planned it that way or not, I like the first 6 tracks far more than the last 4 tracks, which do not have enough uniqueness to tingle my ears... and so the CD starts sounding repetitive by the time you are listening to the last few tracks. As a whole, this CD works best not frequently listened in its entirety, but instead placed in a CD changer set to 'Random' play mode alongside other electronica, guitar pop, punk, and rock, or even intermixed with some jazz and chillax music.

But, overall, a good set of tunes... just not as interesting when listened to in its entirety from start to finish...

I got the new Ratatat album a couple of days ago and it has so far blowm me away. Needless to say, i was a little skeptical cause the previous self titled album was not that amazing but this one has to be on my fave albums of the year.. To put this in perspective, the opening track "Montanita" has to be the best opening track ive ever heard. It grabs you and doesnt let u go.. its captivating and easy to listen to... the 2nd track "Lex" is a great one also.. i can go on and on and on... This is a fantastic album and i'm a fan forever.... Great job GUYS!!!!

I'm always looking for unique artists that offer a different approach, or perspective to music. These guys fit nicely in my collection. It's all instramental so if you like to sing a long to songs, this might not be something you're interested in. It's nice music to just sit around and chill to, or maybe do some driving with this as your soundtrack. I'd recommend this artist to anyone looking for some music that offers refreshing detour from the redundancy you hear on the radio everyday. My personal favorite tracks are: Montanita; Wildcat; and Loud Pipes.

ratatat is so impressive, i am so glad i bought these two albums....really great....so other people/artists to look into are dj shadow, wax taylor, etc