Everybody's favorite NYC electrorock duo, Ratatat, is about to
get less rock/guitar-oriented than ever for their third album,
the imaginatively titled LP3, due July 8 on XL. Perhaps in an
effort to keep themselves out of future editions of Guitar
Hero, they've largely eschewed rock rhythms and relegated the
six-string action to a more low-key role than before. The end
result recalls the late-'90s melodic electronica of Plone and
B. Fleischmann more than anything else, and offers a
refreshing alternative to the in-your-face likes of Justice
and MSTRKRFT, presenting a kinder, gentler electronic pop
sound for the dog days of summer.