A band like Ratatat makes you really think. One of the questions I have is why do they have such bad bands open for them? Both Panther, a lone gent, and Envelope, a four piece with three guitars, are part of that re-energized thread of rock where effort is uncool (and I don’t mean unkool). They, and their fans I suppose, are content with mediocre songs, mediocre talent, and–the worst part–a half-ass attitude that provides those classical music critics of DIY legitimate grounds for attack. At least Envelopes are consistent with lines such as “We don’t care” that are repeated for most of the song.
Another question Ratatat raises is why don’t more young white people like hip hop? True, the proper question is why doesn’t everyone like hip hop, but that’s a different conversation. Here we have a band that blends a wide variety of music (metal, prog rock, jam band, ambient, electronica) while maintaining a core (instrumental) hip hop sound. This is exactly the type of bands that should be attracting anti-hip hoppers and converting them into die hard underground heads.
In the end, they performed a great show with tracks from both albums (they only have two, right?). The sound was good, stage presence solid (including Slash-like guitar playing and sounds), and show rocking–in spite of the overwelming number of youngin’s.
I think the new Ratatat keyboardist is a great addition, too. He brings a little more complexity and intelligence to their old (still good, just not that interesting) keyboard loops. It was fun to listen to him reinterpret the old songs.
I agree completely; good call.
OMG, could this be a band where we won’t have to listen to annoying hipsters say “I like their early stuff better”?!
good stuff, but “why don’t more young white people like hip hop?”
wut?
i was intending to go to the Ratatat show (but you didn’t call me, wanker), so i can’t speak to the demographics that evening. but PLENTY – millions – of young white kids like hip hop. ludacris, eminem, young jeezy–who do you think is buying their records? the “urban” (minority) market alone can’t drive an album to platinum.
Okay, okay. Good point Mark. I meant hip hop/rap not on the radio. And even with that clarification, plenty of people will hit me wrongness accusations.