What makes Ratatat by Ratatat notable?

This album received critical acclaim and helped establish Ratatat as a significant force in the alternative and indie pop genres. It laid the groundwork for their later successes, with tracks from the album appearing in commercials and films, thereby reaching wider audiences and influencing contemporary artists. Ratatat's self-titled debut album, released in 2004, marked the beginning of the duo's innovative approach to blending rock and electronic music. At this point in their career, they were relatively unknown but set the stage for their future influence on the indie music scene.

Ratatat works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on Ratatat?

Ratatat has 11 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Ratatat

Ratatat · 2004

45 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant blend of guitar-driven melodies and electronic beats creates an immersive soundscape that defies easy categorization.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Seventeen Years — Opening the album, this track introduces listeners to Ratatat's signature style, combining lush guitar riffs with infectious electronic rhythms.
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El Pico — This song showcases the duo's ability to fuse dynamic instrumentation with catchy hooks, creating an engaging listening experience that exemplifies their unique sound.
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Cherry — Closing the album, 'Cherry' features intricate guitar work and a mesmerizing build-up, encapsulating the band's creative vision and leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Ratatat's debut showcases innovative blends of rock and electronic elements with strong melodies.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong guitar riff in 'Seventeen Years', establishing a melodic foundation that persists throughout.
Tracks often feature layered instrumentation, blending live guitar with electronic beats, creating a textured soundscape.
Several tracks, such as 'Desert Eagle' and 'Bustelo', utilize repetitive motifs that evolve over their duration, inviting deeper listening.
The final track, 'Cherry', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

Career context: Ratatat's self-titled debut album, released in 2004, marked the beginning of the duo's innovative approach to blending rock and electronic music. At this point in their career, they were relatively unknown but set the stage for their future influence on the indie music scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Tame Impala· MGMT· Empire of the Sun

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Seventeen Years 4:26
2 El Pico 4:41
3 Crips 3:47
4 Desert Eagle 4:25
5 Everest 4:10
6 Bustelo 2:27
7 Breaking Away 4:19
8 Lapland 4:56
9 Germany To Germany 3:38
10 Spanish Armada 2:58
11 Cherry 5:38

What to play next

Listen next

LP4

2004

Go back to

Ratatat Remixes Vol. 1

2004

Full Ratatat discography Artists like Ratatat

alternative rock indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata