• Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Aug 22, 2006
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 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.
  2. Classics can testify just like Ratatat (2004) did, and there’s no shirking of moral duty to melody, but the “growth” between the two albums leaves the sophomore effort a bit of a chore.
  3. Magnet
    70
    It's very Art Of Noise circa 1991. [#73, p.104]
  4. Paste Magazine
    80
    Achieves a slinky grandeur surpassing that of its terrific debut. [Sep 2006, p.75]
  5. There is nothing to dislike about Classics, but I get the feeling they're holding back.
  6. Laid back as it is, what Classics lacks is the force of purpose to overcome its target audience of hipster kids' aversion to--or limited ability for--dancing.
  7. While sometimes Classics sees the group straying from their conceptual center, it’s never without Ratatat’s unmistakable identity and indelible gentle humor.
  8. Ratatat never get as Daft funky or as outright punky as you’d want. But they never linger for too long in one place, and they throw more than enough cerebral curveballs to keep you on your musical toes.
  9. For all the technology they bring to the table, Ratatat are soulful and savvy, putting everything in its right place and locking the listener in.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

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