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Track Listings
| 1. Pump |
| 2. Hot Corner |
| 3. Ultraviolet |
| 4. Juliet of the Spirits |
| 5. Funplex |
| 6. Eyes Wide Open |
| 7. Love In The Year 3000 |
| 8. Deviant Ingredient |
| 9. Too Much To Think About |
| 10. Dancing Now |
| 11. Keep This Party Going |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
16 years between albums is a gap virtually unprecedented in modern music, so no surprises that the first question you want to know about Funplex is: how does it sound? Going on the opening track "Pump", you'd be forgiven for thinking not at all: there's Fred Schneider's delirious, delightfully unselfconscious shout, there's Kate and Cindy whooping like dropout cheerleaders, there's the enjoyably garish mish-mash of early rock'n'roll, B-movie kitsch and surfboard funk that's been the group's stock in trade since their emergence in the new-wave boom of the mid-'70s. Deeper into Funplex, though, there's evidence of a new electronic edge, which can be owed in part to the input of producer Steve Osbourne, who's previously worked with New Order and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. At times, the presence of dance beats, echoing effects, and pulsing synthesiser make Funplex feel a little clinically handled, like a B-52s remix. But it's worth admission just for the glorious title track, a chaotic cops'n'hippies dust-up at the mall, and the mighty "Ultraviolet". "Keep doing what we're doing cos we're doing it right!" shouts Fred. "Four miles to a breakdown!" shout Kate and Cindy. 16 years on, the party's still going. --Louis Pattison
Review
They may not have released a studio album for 16 long years, but within a few seconds of the start of comeback release Funplex, it's as if the B-52's have never been away. Opening track, Pump, comes bursting out of the traps with all the Atlanta, Georgia group's familiar hallmarks - an irresistible synth riff, pounding drums, a punky guitar hook and Kate Pierson's unmistakeable soaring vocals. They may all be well into their fifties, but you wouldn't know it as their uncomplicated party-rock still sounds as young and fresh as ever.
The rest of Funplex won't disappoint their fans either. Loud, brash and raunchy numbers like Ultraviolet and Hot Corner are joyously infectious, while the title track is a perfect microcosm of the B-52's artless hedonism, with lyrics that seem to revel in their own cartoonish inanity. However, the record's undoubted high point is Deviant Ingredient, a Love Shack for the 21st century featuring some gloriously trashy girl/boy vocal interchanges between Pierson and the splendidly drawling Fred Schneider.
On the odd occasions when Funplex tries to stray from its tried and tested formula, the results are less impressive. Producer Steve Osbourne, who includes New Order, Doves and KT Tunstall on his CV, was presumably brought on board to ensure the 2008 version of the B-52's has the contemporary sheen to avoid being merely a nostalgia act, but his influence is largely imperceptible. Juliet Of The Spirits gives a passable St Etienne impression, but the intermittent echoes and sonic whooshes elsewhere add little, particularly on the limp Love In The Year 3000.
There's little point arguing against the overwhelming evidence that the B-52's are a one trick pony, but in their defence they have never aspired to be a Bowie or a Dylan, and they do what they do very well indeed. In the words of their guitarist Keith Strickland, Funplex is ''loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones'' and after nearly two decades of inactivity, he and his band mates should be applauded for proving they can still deliver an album that's so much fun. --Chris White
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By R. Evans
Format:Audio CD
After such a long wait (including false release dates....) they're back!!! There are some belters here - not sure how main stream will take these tho? So many others have tried to "sound" like the B's (Scissor Sisters, Mika - all great) but they have outdone themselves. This is classic B's with an ultra modern twist. This will be a huge club hit, especially with the remixes :-)
Look out for "Eyes Wide Open" and "Love in the Year 2000"
Well worth the wait!
Trickiedickiedido
Look out for "Eyes Wide Open" and "Love in the Year 2000"
Well worth the wait!
Trickiedickiedido
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
well, i've held my breath for 16 years, and finally here is the new B52s album... it's been on constant rotation since i got my grubby mitts on a copy last week, and i have to say, it is completely brilliant!!!
knowing nods to their '70's roots, their early 90's heyday, and to the future B52's... from opening electro-rock out 'Pump' (any album that opens with the line ''i look at you, and i'm ready to pump, luminous heart throb, ready to jump'' is a winner in my book!!! to the closing chant of 'Keep This Party Going' (and you know they mean it), it's a superb piece of work.
I especially love the ethereal Juliet Of Spirits (excellent multi layered guitars and harmonies from Kate & Cindy), the throbbing, industrial tinged anthem Love In The Year 3000, a chant about London buses on rocky 'Hot Corner' that will lodge in your brain and never leave, the inspired 'Ultraviolet', and the strangely obtuse but beautiful Eyes Wide Open.
After the musical behemoth that was 'Love Shack', and the massive selling 'Cosmic Thing' album, it is easy to disregard the B52's as novelty. There is however a good reason they're still churning out the non stop party albums after 30 years, and this is a brave, intelligent and inspired collection of tip top songs that has me throwing back the roof on my convertible and waiting for the summer to come!!!
A non stop electro rock out for pop fans the world over...
how did we manage without you for so long? Welcome Back B52's - we've missed you loads x
knowing nods to their '70's roots, their early 90's heyday, and to the future B52's... from opening electro-rock out 'Pump' (any album that opens with the line ''i look at you, and i'm ready to pump, luminous heart throb, ready to jump'' is a winner in my book!!! to the closing chant of 'Keep This Party Going' (and you know they mean it), it's a superb piece of work.
I especially love the ethereal Juliet Of Spirits (excellent multi layered guitars and harmonies from Kate & Cindy), the throbbing, industrial tinged anthem Love In The Year 3000, a chant about London buses on rocky 'Hot Corner' that will lodge in your brain and never leave, the inspired 'Ultraviolet', and the strangely obtuse but beautiful Eyes Wide Open.
After the musical behemoth that was 'Love Shack', and the massive selling 'Cosmic Thing' album, it is easy to disregard the B52's as novelty. There is however a good reason they're still churning out the non stop party albums after 30 years, and this is a brave, intelligent and inspired collection of tip top songs that has me throwing back the roof on my convertible and waiting for the summer to come!!!
A non stop electro rock out for pop fans the world over...
how did we manage without you for so long? Welcome Back B52's - we've missed you loads x
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By J. Bilby
Format:Audio CD
I've had the pleasure of listening to this over the past week and I
am so impressed by this, start to finish, you can't help but smile inside-
out. I have listened to the Bs music since the late 70's so when something this fresh comes out after such a long time between albums you're ears naturally perk up. "PUMP" starts this party off and from there
one song after the other this band just comes alive and throws down the beats
and attitude, this is their best collection since they first cut the rug and
yelled for us all to get down, down, down with Rock Lobster. You have to start
with Keith Stickland for his genius and raw energy and taken the time to get this sound right. His guitar is so
awesome, simple but creative and sets the stage for Fred, Kate and Cindy to invade these tunes
and make them all so vibrant and danceable. Steve Osborne and crew give
these tunes a modern electronic edge that move the B's into the 21st century. My favorites on this new collection(like every one!!), "HOT CORNER", "DANCING NOW", "FUNPLEX",
"LOVE IN YEAR 3000", "PUMP" and the absoulte killer "Juliet of the Spirits"
is worth the price of admission. Taken these songs out on the road will
be a party to remember. Radio has been so stale since we last heard a
proper B-52s collection. I'm hoping radio programmers give this masterpiece of dance rock heaven RADIO PLAY!!! Its been along while and
The B-52s are back and ready to roll. Everyone involved in this project is pumped and gives their best efforts, its the BEST COMEBACK OF THE YEAR, try the Century! Long live the B-52s, Rock Gods!!!
am so impressed by this, start to finish, you can't help but smile inside-
out. I have listened to the Bs music since the late 70's so when something this fresh comes out after such a long time between albums you're ears naturally perk up. "PUMP" starts this party off and from there
one song after the other this band just comes alive and throws down the beats
and attitude, this is their best collection since they first cut the rug and
yelled for us all to get down, down, down with Rock Lobster. You have to start
with Keith Stickland for his genius and raw energy and taken the time to get this sound right. His guitar is so
awesome, simple but creative and sets the stage for Fred, Kate and Cindy to invade these tunes
and make them all so vibrant and danceable. Steve Osborne and crew give
these tunes a modern electronic edge that move the B's into the 21st century. My favorites on this new collection(like every one!!), "HOT CORNER", "DANCING NOW", "FUNPLEX",
"LOVE IN YEAR 3000", "PUMP" and the absoulte killer "Juliet of the Spirits"
is worth the price of admission. Taken these songs out on the road will
be a party to remember. Radio has been so stale since we last heard a
proper B-52s collection. I'm hoping radio programmers give this masterpiece of dance rock heaven RADIO PLAY!!! Its been along while and
The B-52s are back and ready to roll. Everyone involved in this project is pumped and gives their best efforts, its the BEST COMEBACK OF THE YEAR, try the Century! Long live the B-52s, Rock Gods!!!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Mork
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan for longer than I can remember. I first heard 'Rock Lobster' in the bar of the Scala cinema in London when I was probably too young to be there! The next time I remember hearing them was in HMV Oxford Street sometime in the 80's. The song playing that day was 'Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland'. I didn't know who it was by at the time, but when I found out and listened to the rest of that album (Bouncing off the Satellites)I was completely hooked.
In my opinion, they haven't really made a duff record (maybe one or two naff tracks, but that's about it). Consistent, original, great melodies, out-there lyrics and have worked with some of the best producers of all time. The B-52's have influenced so many bands over the years and continue to do so.
Yes, you can probably tell I like them but even if you've only heard 'Rock Lobster', 'Love Shack' (that great wedding disco classic) or 'Roam', do yourself a favour and get this record because I think you'll like them too.
This is a true classic and worth the wait. I truly hope there will be many more B-52's records in the future because the world needs more of them!
In my opinion, they haven't really made a duff record (maybe one or two naff tracks, but that's about it). Consistent, original, great melodies, out-there lyrics and have worked with some of the best producers of all time. The B-52's have influenced so many bands over the years and continue to do so.
Yes, you can probably tell I like them but even if you've only heard 'Rock Lobster', 'Love Shack' (that great wedding disco classic) or 'Roam', do yourself a favour and get this record because I think you'll like them too.
This is a true classic and worth the wait. I truly hope there will be many more B-52's records in the future because the world needs more of them!
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I heard there was a new album coming out my first thought was, "I hope they don't spoil their legend with this..."
This had the potential to be embarrassingly awful. How fabulous then to hear such an unbelievably great album. Full to busting with top top tunes and unsurpassed energy. Just buy it. You will not be disappointed.
This had the potential to be embarrassingly awful. How fabulous then to hear such an unbelievably great album. Full to busting with top top tunes and unsurpassed energy. Just buy it. You will not be disappointed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great purchase!!
Keep this in the car and if you get road rage, put it on and it'll cure it in the first minute! It brings a smile to your face no matter what mood you're in at the time :-)
Published 2 months ago by Daz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah - 5 stars - well deserved
It's great. Back to the classic B52's. Just as good as early material. Voices all in fantastic form. Songs are brilliant. It's psychedelic madcap fun fun fun. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Mark Shepherd
5.0 out of 5 stars
B52's yeah !!!!!
The B52's have always been a fun party-band and this album does not disappoint - great sounds and new songs
Published 3 months ago by s woodward
5.0 out of 5 stars
Remember these guys?
Only £5 and I loved these in their heyday. It was a big part of my mellowing out from strictly listening to ProgRock all the time. Read more
Published 12 months ago by FatBoyKirk
5.0 out of 5 stars
COURAGEOUS COMEBACK
The B52s were the band cited by John Lennon for getting him back into the recording studio. He loved the freshness and originality. Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. McCarraher
5.0 out of 5 stars
cd review
It was years since I had any new stuff by the B52's since the "Love Shack" days...the Funplex album is in their style and kicks along nicely. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2010 by Mr. S. C. Warburton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Right up there with their best .......... ( welcome back Cindy )
Don't get me wrong I think Kate Pierson is amazing (anyone who has seen the band live will know what I mean), but there's something really special when the both girls sing... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2008 by Malpaso Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
The return of the mighty B52s.....
A most unexpected new release for a band who you might have thought would not be releasing new material collectively again. Read more
Published on 6 July 2008 by C. H. Turnbull
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW
such an amazing album. I only really knew them for Loveshack so thought would give this a go and I just love it
Published on 1 Jun 2008 by M. Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dance Godammit!!!
OH YES!!!!!! They're back!!!!!
Been loving these guys since I heard 6060-842 on David Jensen's evening show circa '79, and it's been a long wait since Good Stuff for this one... Read more
Been loving these guys since I heard 6060-842 on David Jensen's evening show circa '79, and it's been a long wait since Good Stuff for this one... Read more
Published on 31 May 2008 by Number Six
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