Ratatat - Classics

Ratatat is instrumentalist and programmer Evan Mast and guitarist Mike Stroud. They used to be called Cherry, not to be confused with Nenah Cherry, Eagle Eye Cherry, and the Warrant song “Cherry Pie.” I’m glad they call themselves Ratatat these days because that’s what their odd, fun, instrumental is like, a ratatat of interesting grooves, instrumentation, ascents and descents. It’s a sonic tapestry, their new album is. It’s quixotic in a way. Come, Evan and Mike say to the indie rock Sancho Panzas of today, let us slay boring records with gusto and moxie for the love of new musical styles. Come, they say, join us in our striking guitar chords, our keyboard shenanigans, our danceable beats. We will roam the musical countryside with a sense of nobility and with a sense of direction few bands have traversed. We’ll be like Beck but without the inane rapping in front of our musical wonderments! We’ll be like The Go Team! but without the cheerleaders! We’ll be like Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells albums without the ties to “The Exorcist.” We’ll be a new type of music that radio stations should latch on too because it’s new and different and good and wholesome and noble! Come, Mast and Stroud say, let us slay the crappy music of today, let’s destroy Warrant once and for all. [www.ratatatmusic.com]