Ratatat

Classics

XL Recordings

Four out of five stars

Who said indie doesn’t dance?

OK, maybe no one, but in case it was said, Ratatat’s sophomore record Classics would prove him wrong.

Classics walks the line between the rock-strumental likes of Tortoise and flat-out electronic grooves of Daft Punk, sharing tendencies from both sides.

Streaming guitars compete for the lead, while electronic beats and nuances wrestle behind them-creating a sound that is unique and interesting throughout. Though many tracks share similar “radical” ’80s rock riffs, they’re still expansive and exciting.

“Wildcat” is an album highlight complete with a great sample of a roaring bobcat that enters between breaks.

A roaring bobcat? I told you it was radical?unlike, say, my repeated use of that word.

“Nostrand” rides a Knight Rider groove all the way to a rock-out segment involving heavy, streaming synths, twisting high-pitched guitars and the best use of sampled applause since The Flaming Lips’ “Fight Test.”

Ratatat has mastered the instrumental album with Classics, providing textured melodies that are both majestic and lonely, and behind it all is a pensive tone that demands to be heard. Not a dance album; not an indie record; and roaring felines: Classics is a rare find.