LP4XL  *  *

There comes a time when the schtick no longer cuts the mustard. Ratatat’s chat-up lines have already produced a couple of stonking albums, a fine line in fiery live shows and a rattle of crunchy hip-hop remixes and productions. The big problem with their fourth album is that it feels like we’ve heard it all before and know where it’s going. Recognisable sounds are all very well, but the problem with Ratatat’s compulsive electrofunk, crunked synths and gargantuan hip-hop breaks here is that there’s nothing new about the content. The tracks sound tired, overwrought and under-cooked, as if the duo just ran out of ideas and gumption in the studio. Instead of working the material from the bottom up, Ratatat have kept layering and embellishing with little apparent enthusiasm for the task. See myspace.com/ratatat music

Download tracks: Party With Children