Ratatat
LP3


4.5
superb

Review

by zenblade USER (5 Reviews)
August 7th, 2008 | 25 replies


Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Ratatat's most interesting album yet; wild experimentation combined with the retention of their best tricks makes LP3 a rewarding listening experience that keeps on giving.

Ratatat’s music has always stood out as the prime example of when the genres of rock and electronica have collided and actually worked. A collaboration between guitarist Mike Stroud and keyboardist/beatmaster/producer Evan Mast, Ratatat’s previous two records skilfully blended great sampling, innovative guitarwork and rock solid beats that made Mast’s drum machine come alive as a real instrument. On their third effort, the plainly titled LP3, Ratatat pick up many of the percussion and string instruments previously only sampled, as well as placing a greater emphasis on the keyboards that formerly only played a minor role.

While perhaps not as cohesive as their previous albums, due mainly to the fact that Ratatat seem to be trying out several new instruments per song, LP3 shines as a melting pot of tempos, instruments and genres. Opening with Shiller, a song that drenches the listener in synth organ before lulling back into some lullaby-like plucking, LP3 immediately seeks to differentiate itself from its predecessors. That is, until a trademark Ratatat riff bursts out halfway through the song, as if to remind us who we’re listening to. This method is a definite trend within the album, and definitely works to its advantage. Just when the percussive experimentation or interesting use of a harpsichord seems to be getting a little tiring, Stroud’s riffs come to the rescue, evening the balance between electronic and acoustic instruments. While not as central to the songs as before, some of Stroud’s best guitar work is on here, most notably on Falcon Jab, Mirando and especially Mumtaz Khan, a song that bounces all over the place with dozens of drums, triangles, whistles, shakers and tambourines before his rip-roaring solo drives the song home. Also worth noting are Mast’s vastly improved keyboard skills, which deservedly hold a stronger place on this album, anchoring songs such as Mirando and Shempi with chaotic arpeggios that cause the songs to convulse with pure energy.

Adventurous, ambitious and deeply layered , Ratatat’s LP3 is an album that definitely requires several listens to fully appreciate. While the wall of new sounds can be initially overwhelming, their coupling with ‘traditional’ Ratatat sounds help ease the listener into the pair’s new musical direction, and in time, discover the intricacies that LP3 has to offer. Ratatat have created the perfect mix of experimentation and evolution, and a contender for 2008’s best album.


user ratings (209)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
CoolSteve81 (5)
good album...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Cuban Pete
August 7th 2008


3813 Comments


nice first. welcome yo

jrowa001
August 7th 2008


8752 Comments


good review. im interested in this. will go out looking for it when i get a chance

ohcleverhansyou
August 7th 2008


885 Comments


My friends were disappointed by this. A good review.

fireaboveicebelow
August 7th 2008


6835 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

after Classics this seemed kinda boring, maybe I just need to hear it again.



You should review Classics for your second review

zenblade
August 7th 2008


21 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah initially it didn't seem to match up to Classics, but it really grew on me after a couple listens.



Thanks for the comments!

natey
August 7th 2008


4195 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

much prefer their self-titled

John Paul Harrison
August 7th 2008


1014 Comments


oh but their self-titled kinda sucks

LP3 feels like ratatat taking all the mad skillz culled from classics and applying them to their debut sound +crazy ethnic flavours

good review man.

natey
August 8th 2008


4195 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

but their self-titled made me dance

John Paul Harrison
August 8th 2008


1014 Comments


i felt it was too sweeping and dramatic

like it was really supposed to be film music
except you never saw the film

idk guess i suck

astrel
August 13th 2008


2615 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Personally I believe that this album actually reaches the potential the other two showed.

bustyagunz
August 13th 2008


911 Comments


probably. hopefully.

GenrelessIndieDan
September 16th 2008


5 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

the new style took a little while to get used to, but after getting into it i love it more and more every day.This Message Edited On 09.16.08

abbyczach
December 22nd 2008


46 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

good review and this album blows my mind. still. after hundreds of listens

Distance
February 17th 2009


113 Comments


haha that song gipsy threat cracks me up

MColeman
February 24th 2009


4 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

for some reason I really didn't enjoy this album as much as the first two. I felt like I was listening to noise a lot of the time and just nonsense. No melody or anything...=(. But the album did have highlights for me.

johnfromcca
February 24th 2009


45 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

no, i know what you mean

although it was definitely exploratory, this album just kind of bored me in a lot of places; i'm a huge fan of ratatat when they just exploit their knack for melody in huge ways so them going for mood and texture vaguely disappointed me



and nothing compares to the first time you hear shempi and it sounds like it's going to get epic and then it just fades out. so sad.

CelestialDust
July 10th 2009


3170 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

listening to this now, so far it rules

bears
October 21st 2009


106 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

huge step in to complications.



I loved the simple brain exploding noises and chill groves. I mean i like it... some good songs. But the original ratatat. I can never stop listening.

poopty
October 21st 2009


319 Comments


idk ratatat kinda sucks

raketooy
January 5th 2010


10 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

For me, quite possibly the best electronic album there is.



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