Ratatat, the duo from New York City, labored in obscurity and relative anonymity during the first couple of years of the new millennium. Right after finishing college, Mike Stroud and Evan Mast ended up making music under the stage name “Cherry”. They slowly, but surely, curved out their own space in the underground electronic music scene in the Big Apple and continued to self-produce good tunes from the comfort of Stroud’s own apartment.
It was not until 2006, however, that Ratatat really hit it big. After self-producing two albums, the group finally came up with a masterpiece, Classics, an instrumental album that is so good, it can appeal to music fans of any genre, so long as one keeps an open mind about it. This is especially true with a couple of tracks. For example, Loud Pipes, arguably the group’s most popular track, can be ranked side by side along any electronic song of any era. Wildcat is another fantastic track that proves the greatness of this band. The album is so wonderful it never ceases to remind me of my absolute love of the genre. Electronic music is here to stay, and Ratatat are at the forefront of this musical revolution.
Ever since “Classics”, the band has gone on to achieve some mainstream popularity, even collaborating with such artists such as MGMT and Kid Cudi. However, this has not made them lose sight of where their true talents are. Ratatat, as a group, remember where their roots are, and always strive to not stray away too far from that foundation. That is a mark of greatness in my humble opinion.
Two albums were made before “Classics” by the group. Three more albums have been created since, with a fourth on the way this summer or fall. All three have their own strengths and weaknesses, but none of them are as good, as balanced and as enjoyable as “Classics”. The album will make you giddy with joy, while at the same time astonished how two people can be capable of making such wonderful tunes. It will affirm, or reaffirm, your secret love of electronic music. Take my word for it.
