Funplex :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
Along with producer Steve Osborne (New Order, Happy Mondays, Doves) the band have created an album as cutting edge, distinctive & danceable as their debut album in 1979. The B-52's influence cuts a wide path through much of so-called Modern Rock-- from the low-fi efforts of nouveau garage bands and the Retro-Hip of Ultra-Lounge to the very ascendance of Dance music itself. Twenty years and 20 million albums into a career that began as a low-rent lark in Athens, Georgia, the B-52's remain the most unlikely Pop superstars ever. The first band to glorify Pop culture with an almost Warholian sense of purpose, their absurd B-movie style and off-kilter sound celebrated the weirdness lurking just beneath the surface of Americana. EMI. 2008.
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Customer Reviews

Where's the growth?

2008-07-03
This Album is OK and would otherwise deserve 3 stars, but I felt like I had to back it down to 2; I was excited to see a new album and thought wow it will be interesting to see how the 52's incorporate some flavors from today into their music. Sadly I did not hear anything new. It's like this album is a bunch of tracks they did back in the 80's that never made the album so they threw them all together and released them today....

Great music! The B-52's are back!

2008-06-28
If you're a fan, you need to own this CD. It's pure fun! Hard to sit still when you're listening to it - just what we have come to expect from the B-52's!

Not bad

2008-06-27
Glad to have these folks back. Lots of good sounds, but the CD was just missing that extra something to put it up to the 4 or 5 stars. The voices still are on track. The sound was missing some high end treble to me... or maybe my 43 year old ears are off.

Reteo B's

2008-06-26
This is the best B-52s in years.....reminds me of their first works. Very upbeat, better than most music coming out at this time.

Keep Partying!

2008-06-20
Wow. If there's such a thing as a fountain of youth, the B-52s have found it. This album perfectly exhibits the ideal attitude for a twisted world like ours. Although their last release was almost 2 decades ago, this album is far from a hacked-up reunion effort. This is the real deal. Like them or not, the B-52s are fun, fabulous, and wicked smart, with a dead-on philosophy on the current state of things. If it weren't for a few awkward moments in songs like Eyes Wide Open and Love in the Year 3000, this would be a 5-star album. The first track cuts to the core like a Ginsu knife (remember those?), Ultraviolet is nothing short of ultra-fabulous, and Juliet of the Spirits may just be one of the finest songs of the decade. Bravo, guys and gals... let's keep this party going!

B-52s give some fun throwback stuff

2008-07-14
This album did not contain any groundbreaking material, but it was the B-52s playing their hearts out. I enjoyed it as it reminded me of how much fun it is listening to their stuff.

B-52's Ride High Again!

2008-07-11
Their sound is as fresh as ever! Everyone is in great voice. FunPlex is filled with wonderful songs. Buy this CD!!! You will not be disappointed!

15 miles to the funplex

2008-07-09
i just got done enjoying the b-52's new cd. funplex. what a breath of fresh air. very smooth! their voices sound awesome. if you like pop dance music , this is for you. peace bush hog

Party on, B-52!

2008-07-07
Wow Wow Wow! I grew up listening and partying to their strange (at that time, anyway), wonderful and imminently danceable and infectious music. After such a long hiatus, they are back with a vengeance. Their sound is the same, evolved for the 21st century, but still makes one stand up and notice. Thanks, Fred, Cindy, Kate, Keith and your talented studio musicians for bringing back the magic. I saw them perform at the "True Colors" tour and I can't wait for them to go on tour again to support their new CD. Thank you for making me realize that I haven't lost my zest for life, in spite of getting older. :-)

as good as ever

2008-07-04
Some bands are quiet for a while and then come out with a new release, but shouldn't have bothered. Not the case with the B-52s with Funplex. They still have "it" and I enjoy this CD as much as any of their other releases. Everything you've liked about B-52s from past albums/CDs... the fun, unique music and lyrics; the energy... all still to be found on Funplex.