Ratatat: Classics Vinyl LP

Official reissue of Ratatat's breakthrough sophomore effort. Mike Stroud and Evan "E*Vax" Mast nailed it on 2006's Classics with a potent combination catchy indie rock riffs and synth-heavy electronic beats. The album has lived up to its title as the perfect document of the mid-aughts Brooklyn indie electronic sound (pre-French electro take over that is).  Our vintage Lab review written at the time of original release: After we listened to about half of this Ratatat album here in the office, The Commish leaned over to me and said: "Man, I keep waiting for a whiny indie rock male vocalist to come in! This is great!" Indeed, the duo's new shit is a pleasant listening experience from front to back – clean, synthy and instrumental, sounding alternately like the soundtrack to the lost level of Castlevania and… uhh, one of those video game song cover bands on Kill Rock Stars. I know you've probably seen these dudes (all bearded and indie rock) and read reviews about how they're so "infectious" and "dancey," but honestly this is just some nice ass headphone music with a steady beat and a mellow temperament. Even the single, "Wildcat" (which makes me think of Eli Cash), isn't super-hype – but it's more than suitable for a little downtempo mixtape/set where you wanna add a little excitement. Tracks like "Swisha" prove Ratatat's worth by swapping out any notion of danceability for a gorgeous, lush spaghetti western update. "Lex" and "Tropicana" show a bit of bombast for the usually restrained pair. Maybe I'm not explaining this well, or making it sound a bit boring… but it's not. For real. A solid indie LP in a time when solid indie LPs are increasingly hard to come by. 10 tracks; 42 minutes. Comes in shiny gatefold sleeve.

• black vinyl pressing
  
• gold foil stamped gatefold sleeve
• music label: XL 2006

reviewed by Milk Man 01/2015