Funplex

The short story: This CD ties as "best" B-52s album. It's a fun, party-style music compilation for sure, but it has a decent amount of political and human condition reference to make it interesting. And, it's incredibly addictive! Recalling a comment by another Amazon reviewer on the "Cosmic Thing" CD - this CD is musical prozac, and a perfect "tie" for best B-52s CD along with "Cosmic Thing" - these two CDs are the "Yin and Yang" of the B-52s. The doctor prescribes "Funplex" and "Cosmic Thing" for whatever ails you. THANK YOU B-52s! The somewhat longer story: Being a B-52s fan from the first album, I was amazed how much I liked this CD just listening to the preview music clips on Amazon. Getting the CD and listening to it just a few times shows the addictive nature of it - you just want to listen "one more time" - it's fun and uplifting - but with a lot more of an "adult edge" compared to the other mega-fun album, Cosmic Thing. Perhaps new fans won't fully understand, but that realm of radical skate dogs from the 70's, for which "The B52's" was a cult classic, should be able to appreciate that this (if they are still alive!) is the same B-52s sound - now grown up, and sounding oh so good in middle-age. So, it was natural to think - is this the best B-52s album? I thought about it a bunch, but I think that misses the point. Unless you are a die-hard "1st album" fan, the best albums are Cosmic Thing and Funplex. But they are really so different, that one alone is not best. They are really the "Yin and Yang" of the B-52's best. Cosmic Thing is the younger, lighter, carefree side of the Tao. Funplex is the edgy, more adult, fun, but slightly darker companion. The song Funplex itself - can be thought of a fun, upbeat song, but can also be thought of as a commentary on modern capitalism at it's worse - getting our fun from "faster faster, thrill thrill", while "blowing off, and losing the real thing", and in the end, questioning ourselves as to "what the hell will I do with this stuff"? and "taking a pill" to deal with it all. Sarcastic humor, but really pretty serious stuff depending how you think about it. In a word - BRILLIANT !!! Ok - here's the play-by-play: General: as others have said - electronica is more up front in the music, but not overdone. Female voices are awesome, really addictive, and the harmonies and highs that we expect from the B's are there big time! Amazing stamina and longevity of the B's, and these guys still tour regularly. Keep going B's! 1) Pump: Perfect start to a high-energy party CD - "Pump it up, give it up, turn up the track!" Dance the Jellybone! Great female vocals in both foreground and background. I mean really - can Kate Pierson possibly put out more energy? Hook her up to the grid and solve the energy crisis. 2) Hot Corner: Keeps the party going, but far less intense than the starter. 3) Ultraviolet: I would say similar to "Hot Corner" in keeping the party going, with a lot of sexual innuendo without subtlety. But, c'mon, it's tame compared to so much stuff out there. A lot of youth too - "Keep doing what we're doing, 'cause it's what we like!" 4) Juliet of the Spirits: OK - now here's a song really worth talking more about. I suggest that this might be the best B-52s song from the standpoint of uplifting, positive, and serious message. The message is so uplifting and spectactular. Read the lyrics and listen to it. Lock it in. If you ever are feeling down, afraid, repressed, beaten down by life - recall this song! Better yet, play this song!! Better yet, play this song every day in your car going to work, instead of taking an anti-depressant!! "Set your pleasure free, lady don't you be a fool, let your pleasure go!!!" Female vocals are haunting, so pleasant to listen to, and so uplifting! 5) Funplex: Should this be retitled "Complex"? It's like the candy called "razzles" - "first it's a candy, then it's a gum". Dance your butt off, and all of the adult message gets lost - and that's fine! But, listen to it with college friends drinking coffee, and it will turn into a point of debate over modern capitalism and the human condition. So ironic and satirical - "misery at the Funplex" - about sums it up. Brilliant, and sounds great too! 6) Eyes wide open: OK - it's GREAT! It's in the "Juliet of the Spirits" category. Musically, a great funky danceable beat. Perhaps a fast west coast swing? (which is a dance style, btw) Or, just freestyle. But a great, uplifting message - something that we should ALL keep to heart each day "I don't wanna clash, I don't want to re-hash the past, I just want release!" What a profound lyric - who says that the B-52s are not serious? Sometimes, don't you want to grab your significant other and "Go down to your secret place, with eyes wide open"?... The song ends with a soothing instrumental segment. 7) Love in the year 3000: Not a favorite originally, but after a few listens, is really great - and who knows, perhaps even prophectic! Some really strong, and driving female vocals at some points - sometimes quite sultry. Again - the B-s vocals are just bursting with energy. 8) Deviant Ingredient: OK - brillant. Jimmy Buffet meets B-52's - perhaps the closest to the laid-back, care-free fun of "Dead-beat club", only now, it's a bit "deviant" - more adult and edgy. But another cool part is the semi-throwback to "Private Idaho". On Funplex, you won't find any songs that are a duplication of music from the "Wild Planet" album. Funplex is the B-52s alright, but the adult version. But the "helicopter sequence" of this song is a faint throwback to "Private Idaho". Start listening to "Private Idaho" at 2mins:40sec, and ALSO "Deviant Ingredient" at the same time ~ 2mins:40sec. Also, if you listen very closely at about 3mins:15sec in "Deviant Ingrediant", the B's have a faint sounding of the "hooting" that starts "Private Idaho". A lot of innuendo in the helicopter sequence too - "I got to have it, I got to have it"..."everybody's gonna go home tonight, we know you gonna get it on"..."coming down, ... bring it down, ... bring it down", ... "I am now an eroticist" and it's all good - it cures what ails you! - "No more neuroses" says Fred! The female harmonies that follow are again a "Private Idaho" throwback - very cool. 9) Too much to think about: More strong female vocals and harmonies. This is now going back to more "fun-plex" and less "complex". Keeps the party going, especially the usual cool interplay of the female vocals and Fred counter-vocals - which almost define the B's style. 10) Dancing now: For the first 5 seconds, you almost think this is going to be some remake of Kraftwerk's "Trans-Europe Express", but soon snaps into the mix of guitar, electronica, and xylophone(?) characteristic of this CD. It's a smoother, more "future sounding" danceable beat. I guess it's about dancing now - oops, that's the title. Again - cool lyrics still come through "I'm dancing on the edge"... "the edge of a flame"... "feeling no pain"...and the song edges abruptly with the lyric "I'm dancing on the edge". As adults - how many times are we feeling like we're "dancing on the edge" - with that statement having nothing to do with dancing? So great. 11) Keep this party going: As "Pump" is the perfect start to the CD, this song is the perfect ending. Keep the party going on! This song has closest throwback to "surf dude guitar" of the past - sounds like a riff from the Ventures, or classic early B's music. Final note: This CD is fun, deep, and addiciting. It's hard to get the songs out of your head. But since it's such a positive and uplifting message that embraces and breaks through the issues of daily life, this is a very good thing.

I have long appreciated the B-52s, but only recently have I truly delved deep into their discography! As with many fans, I would have to admit that the band's earliest releases are my favorites, but I also recognize that it was 'Cosmic Thing' that first brought the band to my attention. I miss the sparseness of the earlier recordings, and Ricky's unique riffs, but I also love the weirdness and synthtic vibe created on 'Whammy!' and 'Mesopotamia'. For me,'Funplex' takes the groove and pop sensibility of 'Cosmic Thing' to an even greater, and more intense level! While inundated with more drum machine and bass programming, 'Funplex' is 'heavy' in a New Wave way; very energetic, and as always, chock full of amazing vocal harmonies. The mix is incredible, the flow of the album is great, and as with every release the band has ever made, it doesn't feel contrived, worn-out, or 'old-hat'! It's fun and it's still a party! Highlights for me are 'Pump', 'Hot Corner' and the title track. Some diamonds in the rough include, 'Juliet', 'Eyes Wide Open' and 'Deviant Ingredient'. This is the type of album that proves a band still has so much left in the tank, and leaves you hoping and waiting for the next release!

This is one of the best albums The b-52's have ever done! I know, I know the older b-52's music sometimes can be a little off the wall, but good, but this album and Cosmic Things are probably the two best albums they have ever done. I mean to say ALL the songs on Cosmic Things and Funplex are good, both entire albums. Song after song on Funplex is, well, Fun! Good music, good lyrics (they continue to talk of love and the cosmic universe), the songs just want you to get up and dance jitterbug.... With Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, two of THE BEST female harmonizers in the business, with their oozing, sexual, beautiful vocals, just what you to project above the Earth and into the universe and just have a good time. But the lyrics do talk about down-to-Earth goings on too; human interactions of love, politics, over-spending, dancing, sex, and just plainly having a good time. (Personally, when Kate and Cincy sing and I see how great they look, I would like to be on a deserted island with them) This is well worth buying. The music is great and the production is great. Buy it and have yourself a good ol' time. - Terry Chaffee

While I can't say I was holding my breadth waiting for a new B-52s release, I can tell you I was really interested to hear this CD. I'm not sure whether I should be surprised or not, but it sounds a lot like you'd think it would: whether it's 2008 or 1998, this is definitely a natural successor to Good Stuff. Fun party beats, slick musicianship by the underrated Keith Strickland, and a series of fast-paced dancefloor-ready songs. The B-52s are and always will be the B-52s. Fred Schneider is a goof ball who basically sings the same part in every song. (I keep feeling like he'll shout out "Good stuff baby!" or "Is that you Moe Dean!" or "Hot Pants flair up!" at any given moment). He's the big personality and hype-man of the group, and the group couldn't do without his presence. Yet, as on "Roam" from Cosmic Thing and "Revolution Earth" from Good Stuff, the group really shines when he gets out of the way, which occurs on "Juliet of the Spirits," a standout song in which Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson give another fine vocal performance. Some other songs of note are the title track and "Eyes Wide Open," but it's a strong album throughout. Nothing here reaches the heights of "Love Shack" or "Roam" or "Channel Z," but everything here gets the job done. The B-52s have always sounded a little out of time, having a lot to do with their obsession with monster movies and bee-hive hairdos, but also because they've never, ever been afraid of having FUN. Bottom line: this album is fun.

The album starts off with the words "When I look at you I am ready to pump" and the sexuality floats in and out of every song afterwords. This is a WONDERFUL album- not a false note anywhere. If the B-52s can produce this kind of quality 16 years later then they are certainly going to be around for a very long time! I bought this CD on Amazon weeks ago and it still resides on my player. I have played it every day and it just gets better and better. From the opener "Pump" it just grabs you and won't let go until the last cut "Keep this Party Going" ends. Kudos to the girls for the marvelous "Juliet of the Spirits". I want to list out every track and give its strengths but honestly there's nothing sub par here at all. The singing, the song writing, the playing and the production are all just fabulous. Thank you Kate, Fred, Keith and Cindy! I saw you live the month "Rock Lobster" came out and was amazed. And now all these years later I still am. As a final note I should also mention that the CD packaging is very cool too!!

Funplex is immediately accessible and won't disappoint the majority of B-52s fans. That much is obvious from the reviews on this site. The question is whether Funplex stands up to thousands of listens and truly joins the ranks of a classic. The CD has not left my car from the moment of its release over half a year ago so the answer for me is definitely a big yes! The biggest "weakness" is that the album doesn't have that one big breakout single, but as a whole it's one fantastic listen that does what every good B-52s album does - it makes you want to dance and takes your mind off your current troubles. I hope the wait for another album isn't too long. Funplex proves they still know how to craft great music that stays true to who they are, but also shows growth over the years. If you've been sitting on the fence till now, get this album RIGHT NOW!

I never in a million years thought The B52s would ever be able to top "Cosmic Thing", or even "Good Stuff", but they truly have, and quite convincingly. For me, this is one of those rare albums where there are no weak tracks at all. Nine of the eleven songs get a solid 10/10 from me, the other two a 9/10. To be truthfull, I thought the album was very good the first listen, but not the classic it has quickly become for me. I was housecleaning one Saturday and put it on and it played most of the day. Each go around it got better and better, and by the end of the day I could barely bring myself to stop playing it, but hey, you gotta go to bed sometime. It's been a month since I got it and I still play it every day so far, that's how good it is. I sure hope they come out with another album eventually, but I'm pretty sure they'll never top this. I just can't imagine it...... Thank you B52s!!! Also, I'm sure glad Cindy is back in the mix.

to have them back and stronger than ever. Funplex is everything you could want out of a group that's been gone so long from the music scene. It just happens to be that the B-52s are still popular and despite that. I can't lie with this release they show exactly what it means to make a fun, lively and exciting record that makes you want to dance regardless of what is going on. It's a group contribution as all are involved in the writing and production aspects of the album and virtually all members singing leads on all songs. It adds more variety and depth to a record that was already a blast to listen to from the beginning. Welcome back folks, Funplex is a party just waiting to be heard and enjoyed by as many people as possible. Songs on the cd that can't get enough of are: Pump, Hot Corner, Funplex, Love in the Year 3000, Too Much to Think About and Keep This Party... Easily something that should get much praise and recognition from the critics but even if that doesnt happen. The B-52's are back and that's what matters most to me, the music.

I don't normally write reviews but this CD is so good it deserves it - well worth the 16 year wait, I just wish we hadn't had to wait so long. It may not be as wild as some of the earlier releases but it takes me right back and definitely harks back to "Whammy" with the polish of "Cosmic Thing" - so characteristic, everything you love about the B52s but also really fresh. Get this now and you won't be disappointed - I've played it about 5 times back-to-back since I opened it a few hours ago. I can't find fault with this CD - and whatever the other reviews say, I don't think there's a bad track on it - but then again they're probably more discerning and analytical than me because I love this and everything else they've done (yes, even Mesopotamia) so I'm probably not the best person to ask. I hope this review helps but, if you're like me, then you've probably already got it and love it like I do. I can't wait for the live date in August at the O2.

Este disco es increíble. The B-52's son fabulosos.

Super Musik. Sehr gut!

Una de las mejores bandas del Rock, dicen adiós con un gran disco, con mucha más música electrónica y de baile que sus predecesores, pero lleno de energía y la vitalidad que siempre ha caracterizado a esta banda; Una de las más infravaloradas y con una andadura más ejemplar y honesta de la historia de la música.

Cosmic Thingより出来がいいかも。 ファンでなくても聞いてほしい。