B-52's

Hooky, kitschy new wave with a big dollop of surf influence and a late 50s/early 60s retro vibe. Some genuinely really cool post-punk/surf guitar work on many tracks, plus a distinctive Farfisa organ and crazy lyrics and vocals. Side one is definitely the stronger half: ‘Planet Claire’, ‘Dance This Mess Around’ and the classic ‘Rock Lobster’ are the clear standout tracks. Side two, by contrast, gets quite samey by the end, and like any semi-novelty act the joke starts to wear a bit thin, but it’s still a pretty good album overall (and great fun). Strong 3 stars.

It is a bit too much for me but my gf would love this one. Saw one of the other reviews call this the rocky horror picture show of albums and that’s pretty accurate.

Wow - For those old enough.. remember hearing this album for the first time? Hearing the album start with the eerie strings of "Planet Claire" you were like... WTF?! Give me More! Like it or not, this is truly one of the seminal albums of modern music history! And of course - the classic "Rock Lobster" is the one song for anyone who say they cannot dance, they certainly CAN to this!!! (don't believe me? Check out anyone at a wedding...)

Bonkers in the best way. Unapologetically itself, this album is weird as hell and proud of it. I've always really liked the B-52's, but somehow never sat down to listen to an entire album before today. Groovy surf influences, jangly guitar work emblematic of the Athens scene, and post-punk spunk that I clearly can't get enough of. The B-52's truly created their own sound, and there's really nothing else like it. Insanely impressive for a debut album. Makes me want to dance around and let all my inhibitions go! Favorite tracks: 52 Girls, Rock Lobster, Hero Worship

Groupe connu uniquement par le tube ‘Planet Claire’ que j’aime beaucoup. Et justement l’album commence par ce morceau ! J’ai reconnu aussi ´Rock Lobster’. Cet album est plus original que la majorité des albums de la liste. J’aime bien les harmonies vocales parfois barrées, l’accompagnement et ses ponts inattendus, le dynamisme. Je pense qu’il va rejoindre ma collection. =>4/5

I was unable to listen to this album as it wasn't available in my region but I vibed with the pirated B-52 songs I had when I was younger.

So much fun

4/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-b-52s/the-b-52s-6/ I like this! Quirky new wave not too far removed from something like Talking Heads. 100% copied by Bodega some 40-50 years later.

That was alright, there was a lot of electronic elements and tbh the singing felt a little robotic at times. I may not be fair to this album bc I’m pretty tired rn and I have midterm tmr so I’m stressed. But I didn’t really like it a lot of the songs were annoying and none really stood out to me. I don’t think I would listen again. 2.455/5

Spooky weirdos

First album on here that was not available in my country on Spotify. The first half was great, but it lost me in the last few tracks.

I love the B-52's and I've listened to a few of their albums, and of course I know Rock Lobster, but I don't think I'd ever actually listened to this record all the way through. It's so good! Pretty amazing how they had their sound perfectly honed right from the start. No skips here.

Another blast from the past. Pretty solid debut album. Hard for me to go higher than a 3 though.

Some interesting New Wave here. Lyrics are kitschy, guitas are strange and unique, very strange record. Sometimes I feel it by my whole body, but sometimes I just don't get it. Not really for me, but full of good tunes with unusual lrics nontheless. 6.5/10

Unique, quirky, catchy masterpiece!

Me he venido convirtiendo en un fan del punk poco a poco justificado por estos aportes tan interesantes como los B-52s Rock Lobster es una genialidad, otras canciones le tratan de seguir la pista a esta como estandarte del álbum Hay momentos donde no se sienten tan trascendentales y es por eso que me parece que es un buen álbum, de momento no muy bueno o excepcional, pero si lo veo también a qué merece la pena escucharlo repetidas veces para poder identificar otras cosas que aportan e incluso puede que sean precursores de algunas cosas Recomendable y reescuchable

I've been on a great run of albums lately, and The B-52's kept it going! I've listened to this album several times before, so I already knew I was in for a good time. This debut album is such a fun combination of new wave and retro '60s beach movie music. Ricky Wilson's surf-rock guitar is just as important to their sound as the vocals. I love Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson's harmonies, and Fred Schneider brings his own quirky personality to everything. "52 Girls" has that cool surf-rock sound, while "Dance This Mess Around," "Lava," and "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)" are fun and wonderfully quirky. And then there's "Rock Lobster," which fires on all cylinders! Nearly seven minutes of pure fun, and it never gets boring. "Hero Worship" and "6060-842" are great rockers, and I love their cover of "Downtown." They really made that song their own. "Planet Claire" doesn't grab me quite as much as the other tracks, but there's a lot to love here. The album has a distinctive sound without every song sounding the same. It's quirky, energetic, and a whole lot of fun! Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vinyl Verdict: BUY!

I sometimes wish I was born a few years earlier. I would have loved to hear this album in reference to the music that was coming out at the time. This probably would have blown my mind. As it stands, I really remember this band for poppier songs like Love Shack and Roam. I didn’t know they were a bunch of little weirdos. I love weirdos. 5 stars

I had hoped this would hit. It's not far off from music I might enjoy, but this just wasn't it.

Advanced long range jets, particularly used by the United States Of America Air Force.

Not as perfect of a weirdo rock album as cosmic thing but I'll still hit it with a 4. B52's always just feels good.

freaking rocky horror sound track ass (positive)

Really fun girl 70s album! Sounded like 90s girl rock

I don’t know what I was expecting when I saw the B-52’s but it wasn’t what I listened to.

Det finns nåt med amerikansk new wave i det att den ska vara så qwerky. Ibland blir det svinbra som i fallet Devo och ibland outhärdlgt som fallet Talking Heads. B52 hamnar närmare TH även om dom kanske har mer gemensant musikaliskt med Devo, men det är just det där hur man hanterar det qwerky..Jag har den här skivan av anledningen att man just ska ha och hört den, men jag har ju inte spelat den på 15 år. Det där qwerky är ju egentligen inte trams utan nån slags smart arty knasighet och förvridenhet gärna med en nördig utgångspunkt. Den finns inte och funkar inte alls i Europa, den blir väldigt amerikansk i sin kontext. Musikaliskt här finns det ibland saker som funkar, men helheten med alla ingredienser kantrar över och kapsejsar, i synnerhet över ett helt album. En enstaka låt kan funka men det behöver komma ett The Clash innan och en Elvis Costello efter. Toksvag tvåa eller den starka ettan...

Jag är emot popmusik som försöker vara crazy. Det gäller i hög grad också B52 när den pratsjungande Fred Schneider står vid mikrofonen. Däremot blir det bättre, emellanåt riktigt bra, när någon av de kvinnliga vokalisterna tar över (trodde det var samma person, men läser mig till att det är Kate Pierson och Cindy Wilson som delar på det). Svag 3 kan jag bjuda på.

Inledningen är rätt trevlig. I alla fall musikaliskt, där jag får lite bob hund-vibbar. Ju längre in vi kommer på albumet tar dock tramset allt större plats. Plojmusik kan vi för det mesta var a utan. Sånginsatserna är även de rätt störiga. Framförallt Schneiders. Det som börjar som bob hund blir i slutändan mest Scooby-Doo.

Det är uthärdligt när Fred Schneider inte är vid micken. Tyvärr är han det på nästan alla spår.

I'm aware of the B-52s and have 4 songs liked by them on Spotify already. 2 of those songs are on this album - "Rock Lobster" and "Planet Claire". I've always thought of them as sort of a novelty act - so while I'm aware of some of their radio hits, I've never dived any deeper. I was a freshman in high school when this first came out and you started hearing it on the radio, and then later at parties. But it was usually just as a fun goof. I don't know anyone that would say this was their favorite band or album or something like that. One thing is for sure. Nobody else sounds like the B-52s. If you hear a song from them you can tell it's them right away. So that's pretty cool. This was fun listen. I don't love all of it but I added 4 more songs - that would be fun to hear pop up on my playlists. I think these guys are one of those artists that's better when they randomly appear on a playlist and add a lighter / sillier mood. 4 songs added are: "Dance This Mess Around", "Lava", "Hero Worship", and their remake of "Downtown" Liked songs on Spotify: 6/9 Rating: 3/5

Meh... Mas o menos

- I thought I knew this album, but I didn't, lol - looks like I only had Cosmic Thing. To be fair, I wouldn't have been ready for this back then (but, I definitely wanted to be Kate Pierson). This albums is a fun vibe, too! The first song gives me a Pink Panther/detective music kind of feeling. - I like the retro punk spirit, vocals/harmonies, and fun, crisp instrumentation. - I found that the songs didn't really stick with me that much, though. - Also, it felt a little uneven to me... I liked the first half a lot more than the second half. - I think a 3.5, but rounding down... especially because the lyrics don't really hit the mark.

Never owned a copy and usually just hear the singles but it's a complete gem of a record.

Yea didn't really get why this was here. It was a mid album

Great fun album, no shortage of catchy, off the wall guitar parts and quirky vocals. I groaned slightly when I generated this, I have no idea why. Seemed to forget I really like post-punk and new wave I was stunned to find that this seemingly had no influence on the Dead Kennedy's. The whole time I was thinking this is what DK might have sounded like if they had gone towards post-punk instead of hardcore, I can't ignore the surf and rockabilly guitars and Fred Schneider's weird, Jello-esque voice Highlights: Rock Lobster, 52 Girls, 6060-842

I had higher expectations for this, it really didn't stay with me

I'm glad they're in on their own joke. but they never make a good case why I should find it funny, too, and no amount of chinstroking about kitsch will do that for them.

genuinely believe anyone who says they don't like this album is lying for attention. 9.5/10 FAVOURITE SONGS (THAT ARE NOT NAMED ROCK LOBSTER:) 52 GIRLS, DANCE THIS MESS AROUND, LAVA

I didn't hate it, but I don't know if I'd listen to the whole album again.

Bien.

I only really know 2 of their songs, and have previously avoided them as they seemed to lean into "zany", like a musical "you don't have to be mad to.work here, but it helps" sign Well this is good fun so far, likr the soundtrack to a1960's spy with a surfboard caper movie starring the Munsters, and you place Rock Lobster within the context of the album, it isnt so crayzeeeee. An unexpected delight.. Update, the yelping and whooping got kinda annoyingafter 7 tracks, point deducted.

So I was expecting to absolutely hate this, but I must admit I quite enjoyed it, especially the start of the album. The musicianship was decent throughout, but it started to grate a bit towards the end as the female singers shrieks started to take their toll. Overall though this was a pleasant surprise. A healthy 3.5

I have a friend who hates the B-52s with every fibre of his being. I honestly don't know much about them beyond Love Shack being a staple of the pub I used to go to when I was 16 and 17, so if nothing else it has fond associations for that. I found this album hard to like. Trying a little hard to be quirky and immersing itself in the sounds of 60s surfer rock, it ended up sounding like the Munster's opening theme as performed by the Sugarcubes. Whilst I didn't hate it, I understand why my friend does.

I honestly could not tell whether this album was good or the most annoying thing in existence. Call it a wash and give it a 3

this was fine but was completely entirely eclipsed by the release of cardi b tiny desk

It rocks. Everyone wants the rock lobster

Surprisingly to me Rock Lobster was on the bottom half for me. Yes its catchy, but others on this album are better. It actually loses a bit of steam after that track.. Another one where I can give 1/2 stars as this is more a 3.5. Survivors: Planet Claire | 52 Girls | Dance This Mess Around | Hero Worship | Downtown

Love Shack is a great song, but I've never listened to any other B-52's songs. And holy hell I see why now, that was insufferable

Groovy dadio. Liked this mix of 50s sci fi and punk.

(Decent to Strong 8/10) I've always loved The B-52's and their debut is a fantastic statement. Whether it's Fred's campy vocals or the impressive vocal chops of Strickland and Pierson, or Ricky's fantastic guitars, there's always something to hone in on here. The opening salvo of "52 Girls" to "Rock Lobster" is incredible. The dance-punk energy and the zany lyrics really put a smile on my face. The deeper cuts of the album are also matched with the same energy and bravado, even if by the time the closing track "Downtown" comes on you feel like you need a break. The length of the record is pretty perfect though, it's all killer no filler and invites you to "Dance This Mess Around" (all 16 dances!?). Love it <3

Strange, bland music

My enjoyment of B52s is highly contingent on my mood. Sometimes they are the right amount of quirk and fun, sometimes they sound super obnoxious.

I loved this!

It's always fun and upbeat. Vocals ar not crazy good, but it's coherent with the music.

This was great. I never really took them seriously before but I do now. A genuinely fun collection of tracks.

Good tunes, but gets a bit tiresome after a while

Jättetråkigt och jättedåligt och jättetjatigt och jätteskrikigt och jätteintetsägande

“Love Shack” was so big in the 90s that I had no idea the band had been around so long prior. They are another band that I respect but only enjoy listening to in very small doses.

Surfer rock, high energy, and a Sam the Sham sensibility makes for a very fun album. Surprising they didn’t/don’t get more play at parties.

This album was so boring for me. Sorry. But rock lobster was fire

Achei interessante, bem diferente do que costumo ouvir mesmo dentro do rock (??). Acho que é rock kk

why don't you dance with me? I'm not no limburger! . . . i'm just limber girl Produced by Chris Blackwell. worth listening to his whole discography.

Goofy energetic album. Good vibes, tbh. 3*

3.5

Highlights: Rock Lobster

it can get a little TOO silly at times, especially in tracks like "dance this mess around", where cindy wilson's very intense singing and fred schneider's talk-singing are heavily mixed and at their most extreme on the record, which can be very jarring to hear, but other than that it's some excellent fun.

An album that never rises much beyond silly. The surf rock influences were pleasing, but some of the postpunk shouting delivery (e.g about cheese) is so, by turns, silly, funny, and then annoying that I feel like taking this too seriously is a waste of time. Still, it doesn't outstay its welcome too sorely.

A decent album, but I can’t help but feel the B-52s are slightly too novelty to be in the same level as other New Wave peers (like Talking Heads). Rock Lobster is a case in point. It actually is a good song, but perhaps just feels a bit too frivolous to be taken as seriously as likeminded artists. That’s perhaps a bit harsh, but nothing on this album really shook my view coming into this listen.

This was great fun to listen to, they might be a bit of a novelty act but the songs are all legitimately good. 'Planet Claire' 'Rock Lobster' and 'There's A Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)' are particular highlights.

This was weirder than I expected and I’m not sure why I wouldn’t expect it to be weird.

Weird and awesome and fun. There goes a dog-fish, chased by a cat-fish!

This was fun. Gave me a Halloween vibe which is apt considering it's only a couple of weeks away. Hard not to enjoy the energy to the music but can get how some would be put off by the somewhat mad lyrics. Not me though. 52 girls = DJ Shadow/Soulwax Six Days to me, so that was nice to hear where the sample came from.

It is so so shouty.

My first album by The B-52’s was their second, WILD PLANET (1980), but this debut was purchased soon after. While it’s not even my favorite, I still love it and it’s held up well over the years. It’s hard now to realize how fresh and different their whole mid-century vibe of mini-skirts, go-go-boots, enormous beehives, toy instruments and playful party grooves, but the B-52’s made kitsch cool. Back int he day I mostly played only the killer Side 1 (the first four tracks), but I eventually got around to Side 2 over the years. The retro-chic, the silliness, some of the singing voices — I get how it might not work for everyone. But it works for me, and I’ve been on board since hearing “Private Idaho” for the first time. With WILLD PLANET and CSSMIC THING, their debut is one of their three best albums. 4-1/2 stars

Refreshing to hear a fun and original album having gone through a long week with a couple of dud albums.

A good friend of mine absolutely adores the B-52’s. Without her, I’d only know these guys from Love Shack, Roam and Rock Lobster. Very grateful I’ve already delved into their back catalogue. What a debut!

RATING: 10/10 HIGHLIGHT: Dance This Mess Around LOWLIGHT: Downtown

kind of odd but not bad

I was never a huge B-52's fan (pretty sure the only "album" of theirs I ever bought was the greatest hits one,) but enjoyed their hits and vibe. I saw them on tour with the Pretenders in 1998 and it was a great show. On this debut album they hadn't quite fleshed everything out yet but they were clearly already on their way. For some reason this thing didn't save all of what I wrote yesterday, but I remember something about typing that I never considered myself a fan of "Rock Lobster" but as soon as it started I noticed my head was bobbing along. These guys really have a sound that is all their own and there aren't a lot of bands/artists you can say that about.

Feels much like an Austin Powers soundtrack. Maybe too much for a full album listen but an odd song is vibey

nur ein track auf spotify, daher schwierig.

This is really out there but poor overall. A couple of tracks aside it's just rubbish.

Rock Lobster is carrying this album.

no me gusto. La voz de los cantantes me provocan bastante rechazo.

Very consistent arty post punk party album. Probably not one I would return to again and again but happy to play start to finish

I feel like I just listened to a college/coming-of-age movie soundtrack from the 80s. Or maybe a horror comedy with some of the songs. Fun, unique, upbeat energy.

2⭐️

A very good debut album with grest musicality camp and whose voice is that making those unearhly sounds. A unique one and a beautiful one.

Just like Devo, the B-52s are a arty punk band that help laid down the groundwork for new wave whilst still being unapologetically true to themselves. This music is weird yet accessible. The organ on "Planet Claire" sounds like it was ripped right of a 1950s sci-fi b-movie. "Rock Lobster" might feel like a meme song nowadays, but there is a lot to like about it musically. Fully embracing camp, this album made for a zany and fun time. This band is much more than "Love Shack".

I really don’t know what I’m missing. This is one of the dumber albums I’ve listened to, and not in a fun way. Some beats that work, but then when you kinda get into it there’s a Yoko Ono guest vocal for some reason. Almost nothing about this worked for me. I really wanted this one to be over way before it was.

This is such a landmark of what I consider to be pure Americana kitsch. This album could only have come out of America. It’s a wonderful mix of surf guitar, vintage pop/rock (outfits included) and punk sensibilities, all wrapped in the quirky, organ-driven sound of the new wave scene. It’s chock-full of aliens, nonsense words, shout-outs to half-made-up dance moves, sexual innuendo involving volcanic eruptions, and even a wild cover of “Downtown” (with singing, TALKING and chatter in the background) thrown in for good measure. I don’t think any serious recording artist has ever had this much FUN with a debut album. Everything about this album makes me happy. Ricky Wilson’s blistering, sharp guitar playing. Fred Schneider’s ironic, snarky vocals. Kate Pierson’s pounding organ and offbeat call-and-response vocals. Cindy Wilson’s oddly sexy singing and satisfyingly manic screaming on “Dance This Mess Around”. Keith Strickland’s tight, bouncy drumming holding the whole thing together. The way Pierson’s wordless vocals sound like signals beaming in from outer space on “Planet Claire”. The totally inappropriate guitar harmonics interrupting “6060-842”. That guitar riff from “Rock Lobster” and its brilliant breakdown. The revelation that Aqua Velva is now a dance. The fact that there’s a whole song about the moon being called the moon, (everybody is there, ’Cluding ’Ranus (Neptune), ’Ranus (Pluto)). The fact that Chris Blackwell produced this. Should I go on? I don’t know how anyone could give this less than a 5. Just a brilliant, fun, demented album.

Always surprised by how much I actually enjoy this. 4 Boolean: True

It's ok, I don't know any other song than love shack so this was an insight

Rock lobster can’t save you

***A happy, upbeat album

"Why wont you dance with me? I'm not no Limberger". Fantastic album. i listen to this one on a regular basis. it has the hits like Planet Claire, 52 Girls, and Rock Lobster but there are some great deep cuts like "Dance this Mess Around", "Hero Worship", and "Lava". a fun, fun, party album that you cant help but dance to (or at least toe tap).

This album deserves to be on every list of anything that relates to music. They accomplished the almost impossible task of being accessible, unique, and a complete oddity, while sounding exactly like what they wanted to sound like. They garner respect despite music that almost can't be taken seriously. And it is SO odd that you can't help but love it. Anyone who truly hates this music is missing something in their soul, and probably will never find it.

Obviously heard it before. Don't like the genre but the alblum was lively and made me smile and brought back good memories. One of which for some reason istge corny Flintstone movie. So I have no option other than to rate above average.

Some classics but just meh.

Thanks to the list, 'm finally discovering this band deeper, like I wanted too for a long time, but somehow never got to. Great stuff

Quite enlightening actually, although I think it can be a bit over-the-top at points. That might’ve bumped it down a bit. Maybe I just lack whimsy. Screw it I’ll give it a 4.