Ratatat have the Edge
5th August 2008
Kicking off the Edge Festival at Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire were Brooklyn electric duo Ratatat.
Vocals were not missed in the performance as the band members Evan Mast and Mike Stroud were joined by a third musician to create an explosion of sounds. All three played with huge amounts of energy throwing their oversized hair around which, complimented the retro 70’s visuals.
Cabaret Voltaire was full and the crowd could not help dancing. The sound of Ratatat, although very much a new original sound has this element that you’re familiar with and feel you could find in your Dad’s record collection. This in no way means the sound is dated, as the mix of different instruments makes each song sound more original than the previous.
At no point did I think vocals could enhance the song or did the songs start to sound the same. A mixture or rhythms and beats and frantic hands on the bongos made you think that this band had been performing forever – not that they’re just on their first album.
The band’s enthusiasm is clear and the crown fed off this, making it hot and sweaty on the dance floor.
words: Fiona Gardner
photo: John Sault
