"EL PICO" RATATAT (2004)

Electronic albums play a huge role in my fascination with music. For me, synthesizers and drum machines aren’t better or worse than live drums and guitars. They’re just different. They make music much more imaginative for me. I think Nick Rhodes’ synth parts on those early Duran Duran albums were some of my first loves. Shimmery one moment, jarring the next. Rhodes’ keyboard flourishes changed the complexion of every song. This month, I’m featuring my Top 15 electronic albums along with one featured track. #15ElectronicLPs

Album: Ratatat (2004)

The world of Ratatat is a lot like video games. I’m not much of a gamer, but something about the music from this Brooklyn duo reminds me of the prodding and pacing and occasional explosiveness inside video game worlds. The music even sounds pixelated, like blips, beats and bits of animation that form together to create something mesmerizing. One of my favorite instrumental albums of all time, Ratatat’s self-titled debut album was an instant favorite of mind – and “El Pico” is still a track I turn to again and again.

Speaking of video games, “El Pico” seems almost perfect as a video game soundtrack. The progression from the instrumental “verse” section to the instrumental “chorus” section captures the rewarding feeling of slugging it out and earning one’s way to a battle with the boss. Ratatat accomplishes this feat with drum machines and synthesizers. Electronic bands have come and gone. But to this day, there’s nothing else that sounds like Ratatat, and likely there never will be.

"CRIPS" RATATAT (2004)

For the month of October, I’m taking the #OctAtoZBandChallenge challenge. The premise is simple. Pick a band starting with the day’s assigned alphabet letter and then choose a song from that band.

Day 18

The debut album from Ratatat was like a rabbit hole for me. A journey to discover a new electronic expression where guitars are still relevant. They are almost computerized for the better. And rhythms are highly infectious, yet super simple. And the tracks are largely all instrumental. That was the Ratatat formula. Over the years, that formula has largely stayed intact from the start. It all began with an unexpected debut album – and “Crips” was one of the key tracks.

It all starts and ends with the synth work. On “Crips”, the synth chords and riffs are simultaneously mesmerizing and invigorating. I always felt like the song was ushering me into some kind of new dimension with a different space and time. At the 2:30 mark, the distinctive bass line takes things over and ushers the listener back from the new dimension into reality. It’s a short, memorable, unexpected trip that you never have to plan for.