Ratatat: LP3
By Maha Abbas Who knew vocals would one day become dated? The Brooklyn electronica-nerd duo, Ratatat, have deemed words a thing of the past with their newest aphonic release, “LP3,” which dropped on July 8. Maybe they try to over-compensate with excellent instrumentation, but listeners would never think they were being cheated. Hardly an electronica fan, I found “LP3,” the band’s third full-length release, as digestible as Jell-O. Almost reminiscent of a concept album, “LP3” is colorful – each track is substantially different from the next like chapters unfolding in a story. “Shiller,” the opener, is poignant and chilling, complemented by a stark and subtle soundscape. The following track, “Falcon Jab,” wakes you up from the spell left from the last song with an exercise in dynamics – the music suddenly becomes epically loud and the duo incorporates some of their signature dance influence. But what makes “LP3” a digression from Ratatat's previous releases like “Classics” and “Ratatat” is the development of an ethnic sound, ranging from Indian folk music, Bhangra, in the song “Mi Viejo,” to Latin and African percussion in the hit single “Mirando.” “LP3” also showcases a more atomistic outlook on musical expression – the precision and detail in every musical sound on this album just oozes emotional input. This is due in part to layering techniques far more complex than your average garage band, and the sometimes-ambiguous timbre can leave you questioning "What instrument is this?" It doesn't matter in the long run because, holistically, the work is nothing less than masterful. Ratatat consists of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast, two Brooklyn guys who met in college and decided to make music together on a Mac, which seems to be a trend these days with the overblown success of Girl Talk. Eventually, they expanded and experimented with countless instruments, and are also known for their killer remixes (check out their remix of Notorious B.I.G's “Party and Bullshit”). Live, the band is a pair of sweaty messes; psychedelic backdrops and hair flips, restoring glamor to the art of guitar playing. What I admire most about Ratatat is that they clearly know who they are, whoever that may be. We can attribute their sound to hundreds of influences but, in the end, they are sui-generis. Something about it is truly captivating and worth listening to, regardless of musical preference. “LP3” does not disappoint, and in fact is a testament to how much great music is always just a few feet below the surface. |
