The B52s: 'Funplex'

Released on Monday, Mar 17 2008

Published Tuesday, Feb 26 2008, 14:05 GMT | By Nick Levine | 4 comments

The B-52s shouldn't be launching a comeback in 2008, but, then again, a group that wrote songs about wigs, amateur counterfeiters and poodles called Quiche Lorraine shouldn't have sold 20m records. The self-styled "World's Greatest Party Band" release their first studio album in 16 years next month, but have they recaptured that old kitsch-pop magic?

Lead single 'Funplex' finds them sounding much as they did in their eighties heyday - the production's a little crisper, the guitars are a bit punkier, but all the staple B-52s elements are here: Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson's girlish harmonies, Fred Schneider's camp attack "vocalising" and a modern art gallery's worth of randomly-placed hooks. Not a radical move forward then, but it's life-affirming to hear them sounding this vibrant 30 years after 'Rock Lobster'.

> Click here to watch the 'Funplex' video

More: B52s, Music, Gay Spy

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Kevin, Texas, on May 1st, 2008
Nice to hear the B52's again. They sound better than most of the made-for-the-masses junk out today.

Mark, Here, on April 2nd, 2008
The promo video's up on YouTube, where they're looking pretty well-preserved. Check out the girls' 'unique' dancing!

Daniel, Peru, on March 23rd, 2008
I think this album is excellent! I can't believe they are 50 or 60 years old and keep on sounding like in their 20's... It's not Rock Lobster madness but their still have the touch!

Jay, Sussex, on March 1st, 2008
The title says it all - F - U - N !!! This band are not trying to be something they are not. They are a fun band playing stuff to lift you up. ENJOY IT AND HAVE FUN!