Customer Reviews: Read 130 more reviews...
 The Future Generation of the B-52's March 29, 2008
Mars Velvet (Green Tree, Blue Earth...Deep Space)
66 out of 70 found this review helpful
This is tough. When Loreena McKennitt emerged with her new album after a 10 year gap, half of the album was great, and the other was "ok". The B-52's are back with a full length studio album, their first in 16 years. Wow, 16 years is practically a generation! I am writing this as an ardent fan, I own all their albums, a smattering of singles, rarities, books, etc. But I am honest, too. So, the Funplex... Fred is still in good voice and everyone is in a party mood. But is this a Party Out of Bounds?
The first thing I noticed was the music, from note one it was great! Three songs later it still sounds like the same song. That's how you keep the party going. They all are in good voice! I can still distinguish Kate and Cindy, welcome back Cindy!! Two things struck me that were very different from the other albums. 1. Electronics are more on the foreground now. Beats, beeps and whistles and all. Good stuff (wink). 2. Sex. There are a lot of sexual innuendos going on in the lyrics! More than ever! Look no further than "Ultraviolet"! Fred belts "let's hit the G Spot!" and "tell your skirt to take a hike!". Over the top, funny and fun.
"Juliet of the Spirits" is a nice number from the girls and Cindy can still reach those high notes that have been showcased in songs like "Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland" and "Deadbeat Club". The album's best moment comes with "Deviant Ingredient". Just perfect!!! Sounds like a lost song from BOUNCING OFF SATELITES!. Great lyrics, chemistry, energy, swingy and kitschy! "Funplex" the title track and first single is a great party tune, about a mall... or a state of mind, not sure.
All in all FUNPLEX is a great album and the future generations of the B-52's are gonna party like it's the year 3000! The Kings of the Zulus and Daughters of Dracula are still partymonsters and will provide you the vibes!! So sit back in that outer space chair, drink that Mojito, wear that shiny poly blend, and wear those sunglasses on top of your head!
FUNPLEX in five words:
Hypnotic, Harmonic, Sparkling, Dizzy and Futuristic!
 A less than thrilling return March 25, 2008
William Merrill (San Antonio, TX United States)
60 out of 134 found this review helpful
If you've read Amazon customer reviews for awhile, you've learned that you can't really trust the dominant 5-star reviews of EVERY new product that comes out, especially from adoring fans who see only perfection from their faves. So here's an alternative perspective. First let me quote from two print reviews of Funplex that are less than 5 stars. EW (a B+ review): "...the B-52s are still gloriously single-minded party animals more interested in giddily rocking love shacks than stoking intellects." OK, they liked it. And from Mojo (one-star review): "...(now) Fred Schneider's ironic lounge lizard is just creepy." My own reaction was somewhere between the two, but closer to Mojo's view. Despite upgrades in the guitars and synths - they have modernized - the sound is still the same basic B-52 party rock, something that sounds pretty dated overall. They may have been THE party band for a time back in the '80s, but I'm not sure there's a place for this music in 2008. And I do think Fred's recitations sound desperate and a bit embarrassing by today's standards. So much of this music sounded all the same after about four songs - "Party - version 1," "version 2," "version 39," etc. The worst possible thing that can happen occurred while I was listening to Funplex - the songs blurred into the background, and my mind began to drift away to other things. So, not so fun after all.
You may now click on "no" below.
 Fresh, modern, New Wave Dance Rock for the 21st Century!! March 25, 2008
J. Bilby (Kingston, New Hampshire United States)
41 out of 47 found this review helpful
Finally, the long wait is over and the B-52s, my favorite party
band has put out an excellent new record. The Band sounds in top
form on this collection, Cindy Wilson is back in the line-up and
Keith Strickland has taken his time with the help of producer
Steve Osborne and come up with a futuristic, modern, spin on dance rock
with a new wavish touch that does not dissapoint. Kate & Cindy sound awesome harmonizing together
and Fred's vocal interplays stand right out in the mix, always something
off the wall to listen to. Sexual situations clash with their
best music since they first started making records, this one's for everyones
collection. Pump starts the party off right and other highlights,
Eyes wide open, Juliet of the Spirits, Funplex, Hot Corner, Deviant Ingredient,
Dancing Now, hold you in their spell to the closer Keep this party going
making this a B-52s classic. Its great to have these guys back with
some fresh new music.
Thank You Bs--the FUN is back in music! March 25, 2008
Derek Jager (NYC)
41 out of 47 found this review helpful
This CD rocks and pops and dances along at a decent beat and it's so nice to have the Bs back.
The sound reminded me of their second album, WILD PLANET, because it's more "dance rock" than GOOD STUFF and it's not as "arranged" as COSMIC THING.
Think of "Dirty Back Road" transformed into 2008 and you'll know what to expect.
And I'm happy to say that I really liked the ENTIRE CD -- every song makes the iPod!
In these troubled times, thank you Bs for bringing some FUN back into music!
 Any B-52's album is better than none March 27, 2008
James Simon (New York, NY USA)
12 out of 20 found this review helpful
When you make one of the best party records of the 80's as Cosmic Thing was, you set a pretty high mark. Comparisons are inevitable. This album is no Cosmic Thing, and it comes kinda close to Good Thing though good thing had songs with good hooks. That being said,Funplex still has some Good Stuff. The girls are still in A+ form, and hearing Fred's screaming warble is always fun. They remain true to their classic hippiechick lyrics and shimmy shake lyrics while incorporating new electric dance sounds. The main problem I have with the album is gets pretty redundant after while. The tempos are all pretty much the same, the themes of the songs feel like you just heard them 10 minutes ago. In short it's kind of like going to a rave. You're dazzled for a while and then start wondering if you've been to this party before.
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