The B-52's - Funplex

[Rubellan]

I don't know how many of you ran out and bought the new B's CD on Tuesday, but I'm very surprised to say that I HIGHLY recommend it! Considering these people are in their 50's, and one around 60, I'm surprised at how fun an good the CD is. There are very strong melodies, amazing vocals from the girls, and Fred's quirky talk/shout delivery. The music has some modern touches, but also has those great New Wave sounds, and those trademark 50's-like guitar riffs, and it all works! I can honestly say that I don't feel a burning desire to skip any of the tracks. Yes, some are better than others, but none are as godawful as Love Shack, a song I've hated since day 1. When we see them live, we refer to the song as Piss Break, because that's when we all go potty. And I'll expect the same when we see them live in late April in Cleveland.

Some of the songs are the album of heavy dance tracks, but with the mix of elements, they all work. "Juliet of the spirits" has great melodies and harmonies, and "Love in the year 3000" is wonderfully catchy. Just hearing the first notes of "Too much to think about" excited me because I knew it was going to be one of those instant classics. And as an FYI, I'm not one of those sychophants that just love an album because I love the artist. As much as I was anxious to hear Kate Bush's "Aerial", the album is at best 2 1/2 stars. PLUS, as much as I love Siouxsie, I didn't go near "Mantaray". So when I say "Funplex" is an excellent album, it's an honest opinion. This coming from a fan who never felt the need or interest in owning "Good stuff". "Funplex" has been in my car stereo since Tuesday, and it definitely gets me in a good mood before heading in to work for the day. Highly recommended.

Scott

[mojowkn]

Thanks for the review, Scott. I listened to the streaming version and was also pleasantly surprised. I should have it from the magic of Amazon Prime today so I can actually hear it with some fidelity. It sounds like it will make up for the last two albums and the disappointing tracks from the greatest hits CD. Looking forward to it!

[djcraig]

Thanks for the review. I believe BMG beat you to the punch on this topic:

http://nwoutpost.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22982

<a href="http://www.djcraig.net/los_angeles_dj">DJ Craig</a>

[Rubellan]

[quote][i]Originally posted by mojowkn[/i]
<br>Thanks for the review, Scott. I listened to the streaming version and was also pleasantly surprised. I should have it from the magic of Amazon Prime today so I can actually hear it with some fidelity. It sounds like it will make up for the last two albums and the disappointing tracks from the greatest hits CD. Looking forward to it!
[/quote]

While I admit to only liking half of "Cosmic Thing", I loved both "Debbie" and "Hallucinating Pluto" from the greatest hits CD. They were very return-to-form.

Still loving "Funplex" on a daily basis. An instant classic album.

Scott

[mojowkn]

I LOVED "Cosmic Thing" at the time, and enjoyed the two new tracks you mention ... at the time. (Good Stuff wasn't as good as it should have been.) But I find, now, a decade or more later, that when I'm playing the B-52's that those are the tracks I skip over the most ... focusing more on the early stuff. Of course, YMMV -- "Mesopotamia" is still my favorite album (EP). . Plus, I keep playing the remixes of those "newer" tracks, and the remixes sound more dated in many cases than the original tracks. I should know better.

Anyway, thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. I was on the fence, and I've been enjoying the CD all weekend.