Artist: B 52s, The
Label: EMI Records
Release: 2008
Rating: 3/5
Anyone who still remembers the theme song from the movie The Flinstones probably also has enough brain processing power left to keep the name The B-52’s stashed away in the attic (and not just as that famous American bomber). After 16 years, the foursome The B-52’s have made themselves known again with their eighth proper studio album, called “Funplex”. It’s all brand-new material, not counting two new tracks that were included on the compilation “Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation”.
And the music? The B-52s (the apostrophe has officially been dropped from the band’s name) may have entered the new millennium late, but they did it with a careful, well-thought-out step. What they’ve put out is an album that nails their spirit of past deeds, dressed up in modern production. Word has it that Keith Strickland, the band’s main sonic architect, got hooked on the electronic programming on New Order’s album Get Ready, so hiring producer Steve Osborne for “Funplex” was the logical consequence of Strickland’s “great discovery”.
The production is crystal clear, stacking fusions of organic collages with commanding, artificially danceable rhythms, backed by an expressive bass kick that, together with the natural-sounding guitar, gives the band its typical rock flavor. The electronic patterns on the synthesizers give the sound a feeling of addictive numbness that peels the listener away from reality, and with a little disconnecting, your head and swaying body quickly find themselves hitchhiking across the clouds. The core of it all is still the unspoiled, trademark combination of vocal duets from the indestructible Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. These two bring The B-52s their recognizable sweetener of seductive charm, interrupted by the indispensable, punkishly annoying and pushy barking of Fred Schneider’s quotes, which add a dimension of provocation, cynicism, teasing or hedonistic surrender to temptation to the new record too. Something for everyone, in other words. Undoubtedly mighty juicy.
Of course, the album doesn’t have another “Love Shack”, but it holds its ground at every point when it comes to the construction of polished, lead-driving musical phrases. The songs carry the signature The B-52s charm, along with a wide and varied range of differently woven, cunningly flowing musical ideas that make “Funplex” an exciting, dynamic adventure. In that respect, the 16-year break was more than welcome. Let’s hope The B-52s will cross the thresholds of recording studios more often in the future. “Funplex” is an excellent comeback that has passed the big maturity test and proudly stands shoulder to shoulder with, say, “Cosmic Thing” (1989).
Lineup
Fred Schneider – vocals
Kate Pierson – vocals
Cindy Wilson – vocals
Keith Strickland – guitar, bass guitar, programming, keyboards
GUESTS:
Steve Osborne – organ
Pete Davis – programming
Dan Austin – programming
Tracy Wormworth – bass guitar
Sterling Campbell – drums
Production
Steve Osborne
Track List
1. Pump (4:53)
2. Hot Corner (3:24)
3. Ultraviolet (4:25)
4. Juliet Of The Spirits (4:22)
5. Funplex (4:07)
6. Eyes Wide Open (5:35)
7. Love In The Year 3000 (4:14)
8. Deviant Ingredient (4:50)
9. Too Much To Think About (3:47)
10. Dancing Now (4:09)
11. Keep This Party Going (4:31)
Album length: 48:16
