Ratatat

Brooklyn duo Ratatat follow up their occasionally brilliant self-titled debut by diversifying their micro-sized arena rock. (Oxymoron? Not in this case.) Whereas album one stuck with guitars, bass, sequencers and more guitars, Classics catches an eclectic buzz with hand percussion, organ, cello and other bits and pieces. Rhythm is at the fore, and there's a bittersweet humanity coursing through these electro symphonettes, the unique product of warm analog melodies interwoven with beats that just wanna rock.