Ratatat: Classics

ratatatA refreshing new blend of hip hop and metal says the sheet. Usually this brings to mind the textbook success of Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park, but Ratatat's Classics is a little swankier - it's hip-hop metal ohne dreadlocks and ohne vocals. We got some indie-rocker-approved booty shaking beats over here and some layered, synth-treated blazing guitar melodies over there, all helmed by the electronic savvy of programmer Evan Mast. At times Mike Shroud's guitar work sounds like that fateful night my 8th grade math teacher played a dueling guitar solo against legendary Dio shredder Vivian Campbell. And this is where Ratatat excel, synthesizing let's-get-stupid party beats, M83-esque electronic mastery with 80's guitar god layered meandering solos. The album loses some steam after the hits 'Lex' and 'Wildcat'. It's major weaknesses come in the form of an unwillingness to divorce the music from Ratatat's indie-rock influences. Who cares about Interpol, I want my Yngwie J. Malmsteen! Do it for the nookie Ratatat. Ratatat: :: Classics - XL/Beggars/Indigo