ratatat

If Mozart, Herbie Hancock, 45 King, The Unicorns, & their dog Jupiter had survived in the same time period, they would have found each other through happenstance. They would have lived together in an East Indian farm house along the Mahanadi River. They would have composed carnatic melodies while chewing sweet lansa under a mulberry-sunglow sky. They would have sounded something like Ratatat.

Comprised of Mike Stroud, Evan Mast & a laptop (modern man's best friend), Ratatat's musical unpredictability creates sounds both classic & experimental. Known as Cherry until 2001, Ratatat has so far released two albums ("Ratatat," 2004; "Classics," 2006) & two self-released remix/collaboration sets (2004; 2007). They will be releasing their 3rd album LP3 this July 8, with the single Shiller already available for sale in vinyl format.

Ratatat is often criticized for supposed repetitiveness in their synthesized instrumentals - so not surprisingly, some small infamy comes from various commercials spots, fashion catwalks, & even anonymous background tones in movie montages. Yet it's clear to me, the stunning organic growth during the band's short history has led to its arguably most honest (& best) work appearing on LP3. The album features a sense of homecoming as the band draws towards their hip-hop roots & the product shimmers in cinematic lushness (à la Wim Wenders).

Ratatat - Shiller
Ratatat - Imperials
Ratatat - Mirando
Notorious B.I.G. - Party & Bullshit (Ratatat Mix)

"Yes the dream would be to have an entire Ratatat orchestra. 12 guitar players, a full string section, french horns, trombones, flugelhorns, 4 mellotron players, 3 organ and synthesizer players, grand piano, 3 zarbists, 2 percussionists, timpanis, and half a dozen well-trained birds. I think it's quite close to becoming a reality."
- Evan Mast