Ratatat return with "LP3," serving up a bunch of refreshingly-new sounds alongside all the familiar, signature synth-stabs and rhythms sure to magically inspire (or at least evoke) all sorts of wonderfully awkward, outdated dance moves and spontaneous summer parties. Awesome, super-dramatic harpsichord bits taken out of imaginary, super-dramatic Western scenes, tabla beats, dub-y reggae rhythms, and beyond!

Ratatat doesn't mix words. On their third LP (entitled LP3), the Brooklyn-based duo makes only minor tweaks to their eclectically yet exclusively instrumental formula. If you're unfamiliar with their motif, think Mars Volta performing orchestrally informed guitar harmonies through a Super Nintendo sound system. If you are familiar with their onomatopoetic style, prepare for an evolved record that is alternatively more focused and more experimental than either of their two previous full-lengths. This time around, guitarist Mike Stroud and keyboard-based sound guru Evan Mast take cues from cultures as diverse as India and Jamaica while maintaining their steady balance of 8-bit soul and guitar hero-esque euphoric riffs. Mast's internationally informed post hip-hop production style is starting to sound less like fellow occasional rap remixer Four Tet and more like Timbaland due to some effective Middle Eastern moments. In fact, each of LP3's 13 tracks are explorations unto themselves, whether the subject explored is a genre (dub on "Flynn"), an instrument (the tabla on "Mi Viejo"), or a mood (whimsy on "Bruleé"). Within this framework, their sound is powerful but never assertive, rather it is a sort of experience enhancer adaptable to nearly any concurrent activity. Equally well-suited to a raucous dance party as to a session with Super Mario, this potent soundtrack will transform even the most quotidian trip to the market into an epic adventure. Conversely, the group's open-ended soundscapes require some work on the part of the listener, which will leave some searching for more instant gratification. If you're a multi-tasker and your daily duties require a little fire in the proverbial pan, give this record a listen and trust Mast and Stroud's dramatically tinged synthesized compositions to simply amplify your existence. [MG] (July 9th, 2008)