Artist – Album: The B-52s – The B-52s
Released: 6th
July 1979
Sounds Like:
Here's a bit of trivia for you: On 18th April 1930, listeners to the 6.30pm Good
Friday new broadcast on BBC Radio were matter-of-factly informed that “There is no news”, with
the remainder of the usual broadcast time filled with piano music. On 6th
July 2013, my loyal (i.e. small) band of avid (i.e. capable of feigning interest
when I bring the topic of music up) readers were treated to a similar scenario
yesterday, as they eagerly searched the Albumaday… website only to find that
there was no posting. Well guys, I can assure you that albums were released that
day. It just happens that I was out enjoying the sun/getting drunk for a lot
longer than I’d originally intended and therefore completely missed the 24
hour window to make a post. Doh!
In actual fact, the 6th July saw the release of a
bit of a belter. Released during the aftermath of the punk movement, when the
rules were re-written and perversely the artists placed as much emphasis on
their appearance as their music, The B-52’s’ self-titled debut was a breath of
kitschy fresh air. With a sound that was as colourful and animated as that
album cover, the album dances through it’s nine tracks in a state of unbridled ecstasy.
Over a quirky amalgamation of pop rock, new wave, funk and punk, Kate Pierson
and Cindy Wilson woop and holler whilst Fred Schneider sing-speaks in his campy
vocal style about dance crazes, b-movie sci-fi and oceanic shindigs.
Opening with the brooding ‘Planet Claire’ things lighten up considerably by the revelries of ‘Dance This Mess Around’ and their
signature tune (until ‘Love Shack’ that
is) ‘Rock Lobster’. ‘There’s a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)’
is playful nonsense, whilst their cover of ‘Downtown’
which closes proceedings is ramshackle and amateurish but expertly
displays their love for all things 50’s and early 60’s. It simply is a great
party album.
Albumaday... rating:
8/10
2. 52
Girls – 3:34
3. Dance
This Mess Around – 4:36
4. Rock
Lobster – 6:49
5. Lava
– 4:54
6. There’s
a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon) – 4:54
7. Hero
Worship – 4:07
8. 6060-842
– 2:48
9. Downtown
– 2:57
Listen to ‘6060-482’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hik5y1lNGbY
Also released on the 6th July:
2009: Slow Club – Yeah So
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