User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Ratatat
by
Ratatat Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the all-instrumental (think somewhere in between Out Hud and Daft Punk) debut album for the New York duo of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud (who formerly operated under the name Cherry).

Top Track

Seventeen Years
I've been rappin' for about seventeen years, okay? I don't write my stuff anymore. I just kick it from my head, you know what I'm saying? I can do... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Pitchfork
    84
    What we have here is a long-awaited stepchild of IDM and hair metal sensibilities, joined by the omnivorous appetite of hip-hop.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Ratatat seem harmless, but these melodies will seep into your brain. [Jun 2004, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. AllMusic
    80
    The band's sound is both fresh and nostalgic, and so pretty that it seems overly harsh to criticize them too much at this point. It's just that Ratatat is good enough to suggest that, with a little more diversity, the group could do even better things.
  4. Almost Cool
    70
    The biggest problem with the release is that it's simply a little too programmed for it's own good.
  5. Spin
    67
    Without French accents or anime babes, this kind of thing just feels incomplete. [Jul 2004, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Neumu.net
    65
    Like early arcade-game programmers, Ratatat are working with a greatly reduced palette, and the synth reductionism means they're never going to escape cute.
  7. Splendid
    50
    Their songs routinely beg for a spoken message, to the point where their originals sound like dub versions.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. KellyP
    Aug 19, 2005
    10
    The best album I've ever heard...ever. It's a revelation, simply beautiful.
  2. davidr.
    May 27, 2006
    10
    Nice. So I guess it's 2006 and that's all we're getting from Ratatat.
  4. MattyB
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite albums in years, beautiful guitars, and wonderful simplicity makes the songs vibes loud and clear If its not your thing One of my favorite albums in years, beautiful guitars, and wonderful simplicity makes the songs vibes loud and clear If its not your thing it's not your thing, but suggesting that Ratatat add vocals is like suggesting that Jackson Pollock should try painting some landscapes, or still life.....its just dumb.… Expand
  5. LeonardoF
    Oct 25, 2005
    9
    a great album.
  6. giair
    Jun 9, 2016
    9
    Groundbreaking, crisp, it is an introduction to electrorock, with a guitar that will be forever associated with Ratatat.
    Highlight: El Pico,    Groundbreaking, crisp, it is an introduction to electrorock, with a guitar that will be forever associated with Ratatat.
    Highlight: El Pico, Lapland...    … Expand
  7. FinnJK
    Dec 25, 2006
    9
    Instant love. I'm struggling not to give it a full ten. The main reason it doesn't max out is the chiptune'ish backdrop. I Instant love. I'm struggling not to give it a full ten. The main reason it doesn't max out is the chiptune'ish backdrop. I love the sound - but it's not generally compatible with a lot of people. So, I'll give it a 9, as it appeals to me, but not a whole lot of my friends...… Collapse
  8. StefanP
    Jan 13, 2005
    0
    Fucking awful

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2004

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »