Ratatat

Since I first posted Ratatat four years ago all the original MP3s have been taken down. See, you gotta grab the goods while there are goods to grab (you can still download their second mixtape here). You'll notice also my short and sweet review. I stand by it. Ratatat remains one of the tastiest instrumental groups groovin' on U.S. shores. Their first two albums are in regular rotation in Alisa's car as the beats and riffs of Mast and Stroud work magic soothing our three savage beasts. She's gonna go giddy when I tell her about new Ratatat. Hey, the new album is out June 8th, the same week as her birthday. I'm gonna hold off on the news until I can wrap it up in fancy paper and bows. Shhhhh. Don't say anything to her. No, I don't need to worry about her reading this. She never does. 3hive to Alisa means her husband butt-planted in front of the computer for hours listening to music too loud while she's trying to get some shut eye. Though, when I dig up gems like this for her 3hive's a bed of roses...

Mirando [MP3, 5.5MB, 192kbps]

Original posting 05.06.04:
Ratatat is to American Bedroom Beats what Daft Punk is to French House.

www.ratatatmusic.com
www.xlrecordings.com

Jack Peñate

I run the risk of dating myself, my better half specifically, when I report that upon hearing "Second, Minute Or Hour" she promptly compared Peñate to The Housemartins. An apt comparison. It's the frantic, breathless delivery, the quick, jangly guitars, they heavy accent, and the playful lyrics, although Peñate lacks the acerbic subtext of many Housemartins' songs, a fact Peñate is more than comfortable with. In his bio he says, "I like stuff that's soulful, happy and intelligent—and I don't like music ironically." I should mention Ted Leo in an effort to bring a more recent artist to bear on the comparison. Another recent artist (and XL labelmate), RJD2 contributed to the song "Learning Lines." A fine pairing when you're working towards a soulful and intelligent sound. Jack Peñate's making quite a stir in the UK, with the press and the young ladies in particular, but when the masses here in the U. S. of A. consider American Idol to be soulful and intelligent, Jack Peñate may fly undeservedly low, avoiding the radar, when his album touches down here next month.

Second, Minute Or Hour [MP3, 6.1MB, 262kbps]
Learning Lines [MP3, 4.8MB, 192kbps]

The man's fit to boot. Check out the video—it's one take!

www.beggarsgroupusa.com
www.jackpenate.com