D.C.'s duo, Ratatat, releases their recent work today entitled LP4.  After trotting through the twelve tracks, I rather enjoyed myself. 

Their previous work has been my background music for working, writing, and even goofing off.  It just works.  I do not know if this would suit everyone, those of you who are just hearing about them, because it breaks the mold for how bands should operate - i.e. no vocals.  But with the recent popular appearance of bands like Does It Offend You, Yeah and even The Prodigy from years back; the market is developing some sort of niche for this electronic-instrumental genre.  And Ratatat clearly does things well when it comes to this specific style.  Not to mention, Mast and Stroud have a heavy-hitting resume when it comes to supporting other well known artists (The Faint, Dashboard Confessional, Bjork, Daft Punk, and even the Killers). 

This album does offer something different from the previous albums, but not much though.  The music is definitely similar to the other LPs.  If nothing else, the album serves as a sequel to the previous tracks that have been released for your passive-listening pleasure.  That's the beauty of instrumental music.  I feel as though this critique should be more extensive, but I can just say "It's good!" and it would suffice the same.  All I can say is, check it out.    And if you have not heard them yet, get some of their stuff!

My favorites are "Drugs," "Mandy," and "Party with Children."  But I am sure it may change with a week or so when I get to groovin' with the other tracks.  Tell me what you think...

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"Party with Children" Video

Ratatat is:

Evan Mast and Mike Stroud

LP4 Tracklisting: 

1. "Bilar"
2. "Drugs"
3. "Neckbrace"
4. "We Can't Be Stopped"
5. "Bob Gandhi"
6. "Mandy"
7. "Mahalo"
8. "Party with Children"
9. "Sunblocks"
10. "Bare Feast"
11. "Grape Juice City" 
12. "Alps"