LP4 (album)

For the Linus Pauling Quartet, see The Linus Pauling Quartet.

LP4 (often referred as LP4: Let Your Bird Eat Its Beak) is the fourth studio album by Ratatat, released on June 8, 2010. The name comes from the acronym for long play (LP), as it is their fourth album. It is similarly titled to their third release, LP3. A majority of the tracks are from the same studio session as their previous album.^[1]

LP4
Studio album by Ratatat
Released	June 8, 2010 (2010-06-08)
Recorded	2008–2010
Studio	Old Soul Studios in New York City Glassworks Studios in Manhattan
Genre	Electronica art rock experimental hip hop neo-psychedelia instrumental hip hop post-rock
Length	42:43
Label	XL
Producer	Evan Mast, Mike Stroud
Ratatat chronology
LP3 (2008) LP4 (2010) Magnifique (2015)
Singles from LP4
"Party with Children" Released: 2010 "Drugs" Released: 2010

Background

The album largely features material produced during the session of Ratatat's previous album LP3, recorded at Old Soul Studios in New York City.^[2] Evan Mast of the duo stated, "A lot of the sounds and palettes are similar, but I think the songs change pretty drastically." Ratatat had purchased several Middle Eastern percussion instruments, which are featured in LP4. The album also features a string quartet, whereas previous Ratatat albums had used a Mellotron.^[3] The string sections were recorded at Glassworks Studios in Manhattan.^[2] Music videos were produced for the tracks "Drugs", "Mahalo" "Neckbrace", and "Party With Children". The album contains numerous spoken word samples, including a line from Werner Herzog's 1977 film Stroszek segueing "Bilar" and "Drugs".^[4]

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	68/100[5]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
The Music Cycle	[7]
Pitchfork Media	(5.2/10)[1]
SPIN Magazine	[8]

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at #66 selling 6,700 copies in its first week.^[9]

Track listing

1. "Bilar" – 4:14
2. "Drugs" – 4:55
3. "Neckbrace" – 4:06
4. "We Can't Be Stopped" – 2:10
5. "Bob Gandhi" – 4:01
6. "Mandy" – 3:42
7. "Mahalo" – 2:02
8. "Party with Children" – 2:58
9. "Sunblocks" – 3:42
10. "Bare Feast" – 2:38
11. "Grape Juice City" – 3:56
12. "Alps" – 4:21

iTunes pre-order bonus track

13. "Biddang" – 3:21

Chart positions

Weekly

Chart (2010)	Peak position
Greek Albums (IFPI Greece)[10]	23
UK Dance Albums (OCC)[11]	33
US Billboard 200[12]	66
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[13]	3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[14]	7

Year-end

Chart (2010)	Position
US Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[15]	24