Funplex
It has been sixteen years since the B-52's has released a full length CD of new songs. In other words, college seniors today were in first grade when the B-52's last released a complete album of new material. I remember back in the day listening to their first 2 releases over and over, and thought these people were very much ahead of their time. Funplex may not be so much ahead of its time, but I have to say, it is quite good. ‘Pump’, the opening track on Funplex, does what its name implies, pumping the listener up for a damn good time with that oh-so familiar beat, and lyrics with lots of sexy innuendos. Next up, Keith Strickland lays down some catchy riffs and pretty much carries the song, ‘Hot Corner’ with his guitar. Title track, ‘Funplex’, is definitely one of my favorites. Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson still possess their wide vocal ranges, and they show it off very well in ‘Funplex’ as they take turns at the microphone with Fred Schneider.
I have to say, ‘Love in the Year 3000’, made me chuckle with Fred’s forced robot-like voice reciting, “Robots - Bootybots - Erotobots”. As the recitation ended, and the song kicked in, I lost interest. ‘Love in the Year 3000’ is too much like the rest of the B-52’s music.. Another tired song, ‘Eyes Wide Open’ offered up cheesy keyboards that would rival only Ross on Friends.
’Deviant Ingredient’ did not impress me. The lyrics, although, the best part of this track, sounded a bit dull and muffled.
The album gets better toward the end. ‘Too Much to Think About’ provides a vehicle for everyone to shine. A very nice beat, good rhythm, competent vocals and decent lyrics escort this tune to the top of Funplex. One thing I was looking for in this collection is to see if a band from the eighties could make a song closely relevant by today’s standards. If I were to pick a song that I thought could pass this relevancy test, it would be ‘Dancing Now’. It’s definitely one of the strongest selections, and could easily blend in with the songs normally played on a ‘middle of the road’ pop station. ‘Keep this Party Going’ contained my favorite line from the CD, “Go to church on Sunday, Party on Monday, and every other day of the week. We’re just a bunch of party geeks.”
Funplex is indeed a fun album, though maybe not quite as good as the B-52’s first two albums. It is definitely worth giving a listen to, especially if you have ever been a fan of the B-52’s.
