Classics
by Ratatat
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Aug 22, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33

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  1. jakew
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    I also love it, fuck pitchfork
  2. nazat
    Aug 25, 2006
    10
    i love it fuck pitchfork
  3. LawrenceP
    Sep 4, 2006
    9
    Pitchfork really needs to stop trying hard. This is a fun, exciting and funky ride.
  4. PaulG
    Oct 1, 2006
    7
    Classics is one hell of a fun album to listen to. However, despite all its subtle charms and not-so-seemingly-active production processes (even though we all know they're there...), it does seem to dwindle in interest holding capabilities quite dramatically towards the end. Though "Nostrand" is one of the sweetest tracks I've heard this year. Lovely.
  5. robertg
    Sep 3, 2006
    8
    I like this album alot more than the critics. This may make my top 15 of the year. Really good and it doesn't sound like anything else out there. Tacobel stand is a great song and one of the strongest album closers of the year.
  6. SteveS.
    Sep 20, 2007
    6
    These guys are great musicians and there are some great hooks here. When I do all the adding and dividing, though, the album just doesn't figure. Can't dance to it, god would it be boring to see played live... doesn't evoke any particular emotions. I can't imagine when I'd listen to it again. Ahhh, wait. Let's put a line item in there for corporate These guys are great musicians and there are some great hooks here. When I do all the adding and dividing, though, the album just doesn't figure. Can't dance to it, god would it be boring to see played live... doesn't evoke any particular emotions. I can't imagine when I'd listen to it again. Ahhh, wait. Let's put a line item in there for corporate licensing... My figures finally tally. Advertising music.… Expand
  7. EvanS
    Sep 4, 2006
    6
    The most luscious soundtrack for the to-be-made indie film.
  8. Dan
    Aug 26, 2006
    9
    What I love about Classics is (like Ratatat's s/t album) how I have a different favorite track everytime I listen to it. To me, this is a perfect follow-up album; retaining the duo signature sound, but diversifying it and exploring new territory, all the while remaining catchy and satisfying.
  9. JBone
    Sep 15, 2006
    6
    I really liked the sweet classical melodies and song structures of their first album, but this album mistakenly thinks you can trade better production values for worse songwriting. Having said that, this album would be alright as background music in a trendy clothing store or something.
  10. karlohrabar
    Nov 8, 2013
    8
    Pitchfork is being too hard on this one. This album offers a lot of great songs, like Loud Pipes and Wildcat.
    Definitely an 8. Not a nine, but very close to it. Very.
  11. Niichts
    May 15, 2017
    10
    Great album and a definite classic (pun intended) with amazing tracks such as Loud Pipes, Gettysburg, Lex, Kennedy. There is not one bad song on this album.
  12. LeUberLuigi
    Jan 7, 2015
    9
    This album is great. Most of the songs a fantastic (Gettysburg, Nostrand, Loud Pipes, Kennedy, and pretty much every song!) This album is all around fun to listen to. This is definitely one of the best albums of all time. It's not getting a 10, but let me tell you, it is VERY close to one.
  13. MasterCeddy
    Dec 18, 2018
    9
    You know an album is good when you can listen to the tracks one after another and it runs smoothly. Classics does just that. I feel like it brings me to a weird but comfortable zone.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Pitchfork
    60
    Classics is more varied in texture and tempo and tone than its predecessor. But aside from "Lex", a pretty obvious "Seventeen Years" rehash, and "Wildcat", which samples actual fucking panther roars, there are no curtain raisers, just a whole lot more suggestion.
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  2. AllMusic
    80
    Outwardly it's a fun album, triumphant and full of majestic refrains and riffs... but there's still something in it,... that makes it somehow all very sad.
    Read full review
  3. Stylus Magazine
    75
    While sometimes Classics sees the group straying from their conceptual center, it’s never without Ratatat’s unmistakable identity and indelible gentle humor.
    Read full review
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