The B-52's (album)

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The B-52's
File:TheB-52'sTheB-52's.jpg
Cover art by Tony Wright
Studio album by The B-52's
Released July 6, 1979
Recorded 1978–1979 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas
Genre
Length 39:14
Label Warner Bros. (US)
Island (UK)
Producer Chris Blackwell
The B-52's chronology
The B-52's
(1979)		 Wild Planet
(1980)Wild Planet1980
Singles from The B-52's
  1. "Rock Lobster"
    Released: April 1978
  2. "Planet Claire"
    Released: July 6, 1979
  3. "Dance This Mess Around"
    Released: 1979

The B-52's is the eponymous debut album by the Athens, Georgia-based new wave band The B-52's. The kitschy lyrics and mood, and the hook-laden harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who went on to release several chart-topping singles. The album cover was designed by Tony Wright (credited as Sue Ab Surd).

The B-52's peaked at number 59 on the Billboard 200,[3] and "Rock Lobster" reached number 56 on the Hot 100.[4] In 2003, the television network VH1 named The B-52's the 99th greatest album of all time. Shortly before his death, John Lennon said he enjoyed the album.[5] In his 1995 book, The Alternative Music Almanac, Alan Cross placed the album ninth on the list of 10 Classic Alternative Albums. In 2003, the album was ranked number 152 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 5/5 stars[1]
Robert Christgau A[7]
Rolling Stone 5/5 stars[8]
Rolling Stone Album Guide 3.5/5 stars[9]
Smash Hits 5/10[10]

Critical reception for The B-52's was generally favorable; critics praised the album's kitschy lyrics and party atmosphere.[1][11]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by The B-52's, except where noted. 

Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length
1. "Planet Claire"   Henry Mancini,[12] Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland Schneider, Pierson 4:35
2. "52 Girls"   Jeremy Ayers, Ricky Wilson Pierson, Wilson 3:34
3. "Dance This Mess Around"     Schneider, C. Wilson 4:36
4. "Rock Lobster"   Schneider, R. Wilson Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson 6:49
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length
1. "Lava"     Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson 4:54
2. "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)"     Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson 4:54
3. "Hero Worship"   Robert Waldrop, R. Wilson C. Wilson 4:07
4. "6060-842"   Pierson, Schneider, Strickland, R. Wilson Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson 2:48
5. "Downtown" (Petula Clark cover, 1964) Tony Hatch Pierson, C. Wilson 2:57
Total length:
 39:14

Personnel

Production

  • Chris Blackwell - Producer
  • Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound - Mastering

Charts and certifications

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Erlewine, Stephen. The B-52's The B-52's > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2004.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The B-52's > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums at AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2004.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The B-52's > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles at AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2004.
  5. ↑ imdb.com
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Relevant portion posted with a new rating at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Mancini is credited as a co-author of "Planet Claire" on reissues of the album due to the song's use of the bass line from Mancini's "Peter Gunn."
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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