Reviews (page 7 of 9)
Catchy guitar riffs and lyrics, but ultimately doesn't stand up against repeated listens. Not bad.
Completely changed my view on the B52s as a band as I had previously only heard the song Love Shack. The first 4 songs are incredible yet nothing after Rock Lobster caught my attention. Favourite tracks were 52 girls and Dance this mess around which was very reminiscent of some of my favourite Patti smith tracks.
- ROCK LOBSTER - This album slaps - 3.5
Enjoyable 3.5
Proof that you can say anything if its got a catchy beat - a fun album
Onhan tämä aika vekkuli. Biiseistä tosin mieleen jää vain tuo ikiklassikko Rock Lobster! Riittää kolmoseen. 3/5
Siisti levy, vaikka vähän hiipuu loppua kohti. 3,5/5
ihan hauska pop-rock-levy, mukavaa irrottelua mukana. 3/5
Good fun this! Unique isn't it. High energy. A good vibe
Nice new wave
Better than a 3 l, but not quite a 4. One of the most underrated live bands! They put on a great show, and harm no lobsters while doing so! 🪨🦞
Bright shiny album start to finish.
6/10 Is this earth-shattering? No. Is it super quality music? No. But is it fun, interesting, and waaaay less serious than some of the other US rock and punk from this time? 100% Probably punkier in spirit than some of the punk I’ve had on this list Unmistakable vocals and style But the flip side of fun and kitsch is wafer thin with no depth Pretty monotone in sound Another basic choice for this list, a running theme, hard to see this as a genuinely great album Best: Rock Lobster
Ok
Quirky and fun. Doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Ganske chill
I think I understand what this album is, absurd innuendo laden lyrics over funky pop beats, the entire thing sounds like a soundtrack accompaniment to rocky horror picture show, and at times I love the camp weirdness of the whole thing, however I couldn’t find myself revisiting it as a album to sit and listen to. The stand out track for me was “hero worship” which seemed to do the best job of combining listen ability with tongue in cheek in your face laugh out loud lyrics. I like this album and I don’t think there’s quite anything like it I’ve listened to so far. I just probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
iraq lobster
I think it's cool this exists but its not something I'd go for beyond the list, except rock lobster is great.
What an odd group. I like a lot of what I’m hearing, but then there’s the extra strange stuff like the space sound effects, animal noises, talk singing, and so on. I have to be a little tipsy to enjoy this.
It’s fun, but it’s not….good. It’s fine. Notable songs include rock lobster and downtown.
Good, queer just not craveable personally.
More enjoyable than I was expecting 3/5
Definitely a unique sound to come out the gate with. As an album experience, there are enough interesting rockabilly guitars, weird underwater synth effects and just a general nonsensical vibe to carry this as a unique new wave record. Rock lobster is great. Planet Claire grows on you. 6060-842 and Lava are also worth a listen. 52 girls is maybe the most straightforward song but is just a good catchy rock single. I can see this rubbing you the wrong way depending on your mood but a good record.
I would expect to have a grating headache and hate it. Yet there's something catchy about that Rock Lobster song. Although not for when you need thought-provoking inspirational music, it's more for those times when you're hosting a spazzed out beach party with like a crazy lobster or something.
okayyyyyy
Great fun album that still sounds pretty fresh.
This felt very quintessential to its time. It sounded just like the beginnings of the 80's quirky melding of pop and rock.
I was really vibing with the instrumental part of Planet Claire and was kind of sad when the guy started singing The rest of it was meh I read the title Rock Lobster in the same tune as Ghostbusters and now I want a mashup of those two songs. I was trying to figure out why it sounded so familiar and turns out it was sampled in a Panic! song This gets 3 stars only because of how much I liked that intro
listened 3x, but just ok. 2.7/5
More punky than I would’ve thought. Actually a bit more enjoyable than my previous perceptions.
Удивился, что знаю мелодию из трека "Rock lobster", она мне понравилась. Но в остальном альбом сильно постарел, его скучновато слушать. Хотя и не вызывает раздражения.
rock lobster!
Nonsense, but enjoyable nonsense. Pretty samey, with one massive hit that stands out probably only because it is so well known. Good, but not great, but shows signs of something worth doing, and a chance of a good career (which they managed). I think I'd probably prefer their greatest hits, which isn't usually the case for most bands.
Creo que me gustan más los álbumes más comerciales de b52
Classic B -52's. I like Planet Claire and Rock Lobster.
rock lobster is 7 minutes long???? idk sounded like a B-52s album
4/10 1 song I liked and 2 that weren't available in Canada
Some great tracks but a bit repetitive at times. Worth a listen for Rock Lobster alone, but a couple of the album tracks are almost as good
3. A lot of Rock scenes from Athens GA., at the time. Thet were poppy and new wavers, with a distinctfully sound, but nothing like the real ones: R.E.M.
It's giving Scooby do vibes Electronic playful spooky vibes in a few songs. Playfully made it feel. The singing is feel like a group of friends having fun and vibing to their own work. Cute
i enjoyed the unique singing from the whole album. sounds like the very start of new wave and the genre only gets better after this but cool twist with the surf rock vibes.
Bapa bup
An upbeat and truly unusual album - punk-pop but accessible and not taking themselves too seriously. I expected Love Shack etc and wasn't dissappointed with the energy adn humour in this album. Good fun, not mind blowing, but good fun.
New wave. Pop
Pretty cool I guess. 3.4.
59/100
Weird fun album, lyrics are fun, singing is ok. 3/5
I thought the B 52s were 60s diner type music. Subversive and punky in a fun way, almost a 4.
Really good but also strange
I enjoy B-52’s later stuff a little more; their sound in the first album doesn’t feel as cohesive. That being said, I love how unique they are and always enjoy what they bring to the table. Plus Rock Lobster is a bop.
Its like almost too weird… almost, but savef by how much it rocks
They're definitely recognisable. I don't think that's a compliment. Thank God no Love Shack though, that would have made it a definite 2. As it is I think it scrapes a 3
The 3 stars are for Rock Lobster alone.
80's vibes through and through. Straight forward head bopping fun.
Album sounded like bath salts. Really very little to no uniformity with it, I only liked "Rock Lobster" cause of Family Guy so it can get a few stars for that. "Dance This Mess Around" was also kind of a good song so it can get another pity star.
"somebody went under a dock, and there they found a rock. it wasn't a rock, it was a rock lobster" Weeeeeeeeird album. but it doesn't take itself too seriously, either. it's like the wacky conspiracy theory aunt of albums, maybe it's like the bar that has some crude humor as wall art. i found myself hating it just as often as i found myself somewhat enjoying it, but it did give me a headache, and i don't think i would listen again. that being said, if i found this record on vinyl at a vintage store, i'd probably end up picking it up. Parts of 52 Girls was good, but the lead singer's voice is super nasally and headache-inducing. Rock lobster is a classic, but overstays it's welcome (playlist). There's a moon in the sky (called the moon), is such a funny title for a track, and is listenable. beyond the annoying nasal voice, the guy that just like talks into the tracks gets super annoying as well, I can only stand 1 B-52 song at a time. 2.5/5
family guy
From "wtf is this" to "this is pretty fun" to "OK it's a bit too much now". Overall I can definitely see why this is included but don't think I'll listen to it often.
The schtick gets deeply annoying after a minute or two, despite the joyful uplifting energy and campy arrangement. I feel trapped in a room with kind hearted attention seekers who are really someone else's friends.
I like the style. I'll need to listen to again, kinda got distracted while listening. Will I listen to again: I guess 100% and we'll see from there.
Holy New Wave Batman. I know a few of the B-52's songs, but this was my first time listening to an album of theirs. I thought this was a good album, but I wouldn't say that I particularly liked it. The guitar playing was really good, but the vocals were pretty hit or miss for me. I liked the songs where Kate Pierson was doing most of the singing, but Fred Schneider's sprechgesang just wasn't doing it for me on this album. "Rock Lobster" is the biggest single on this album, but I honestly find it to be pretty grating; the main hook is kind of annoying, and it's pretty long. Despite not liking this album all that much, I recognize that it had a major impact on other new wave albums that came after it, and they helped turn Athens, Georgia into a haven for great music.
what a goofy weird album. outside of love shack and rock lobster I knew nothing of B-52's. gives me surfing vibes, but not much else.
These are the stupidest songs I’ve ever heard. But I love it!
very fun. 3.5 stars. so many songs sample this album and I had no idea. sometimes the vocals came off as annoying though, I’m sorry
this was actually very good but one of the public reviews was so annoying it made me want to take off stars. my biggest takeaway is that rock lobster is both way better and way longer than i thought it was. like always, the first half of the album is all i really remember so those songs are probably my favorites. special shout-out to dance this mess around which made me strangely melancholy
Very fun album, definitely on the high high end of 3 stars for me! Stand out tracks: Rock Lobster (obviously), Planet Claire, 52 Girls (lyrics, not instrumentals etc). Was debating 4 stars because of its general importance and the group’s importance but I’m rounding down sorry :(
It was.. OK. A bit too much camp and 50s nosrslgia for me (and I love camp).
jester core 🤡 - can be very shrill
American new wave. Reminds me of Devo. Really like the music, but not a fan of the vocals. Neither the female or the male vocal.
A fun album. Worth a listen.
Is it good? Not really, but it's wacky and different which gives it a little something.
Quirky like you'd expect
Hár þristur, hresst og fjölbreytt, en utan Rock Lobster ekki mjög eftirminnilegt.
I know how good Rock Lobster is. The question is, can the rest of the album match it?? Hmmm, not quite, unfortunately. The best moments are when the lyrics are at their most batshit and surreal, the different vocalists are trading lines, and the music is kinda frenzied too. But I was surprised by how pedestrian and ‘straight’ it becomes at times. Maybe I’m being harsh? It’s still pretty fun on the whole. 3.5
Fun and groovy. Love the quirkiness.
The B-52’s really feel like a band I should love, but it just didn’t connect. The weirdness I appreciated but man the songs grew old as I was listening to each one. 2.5/5
I thought this would be right up my alley, but it's just okay. I think it isn't funky enough for my taste, and I don't see this album doing anything that Talking Heads doesn't do better. It has got some pretty funny and non-serious lyrics, which I appreciate quite a bit.
Already listened on Strava albums
Hyvä hyvä, ja varmaan vaikuttanut enemmän kuin voisi kuvitella - ainakin kymmenen vuotta sitten kaikki hipsterimmät punkbändit jenkeissä ja briteissä kuulostivat vieläkin melko lailla tältä. Ei niin, että kaikki olisivat olleet yhtä tarttuvia.
Such a weird band
Everyone knows B-52s. They are, invariably, bops.
Good in parts
Fun but a little goofy
I had no idea Rock Lobster was a 7 minute song. I liked this record, but feel like it has deficiency of energy in the production, if that makes sense. The songs are all good but they could use a little more oomph, know what I mean? These songs should feel “snappier” than they do. Some of it just kind of plods a long, making its 40 minute run time feel longer than it should. I think maybe recording these songs live would’ve solved that issue. Still, it’s a solid, fun and totally weird record.
Interesting and funny music!
A fun album, full of energy and pizazz. Could see myself getting tipsy and badly dancing to this.
Unique. Ialways loved a song or 2 from the B-52's
Not my kind of music but I’ve heard better music from the 80s pop bands
Weird but good. The guy got some Bauhaus style singing.
я как прошаренный слушатель уже знала про рок лобстера! но вообще что-то не моё)
Iraq lobster 3
Yeah. Fun B-52's music. Rock Lobster! Other than that song, the rest is just okay.
7/10
Decent, sometimes feels a little dragged out and some songs overstay their welcome. And most are only above 4 minutes which is kinda saying something. This doesn’t have the best closer as well, Downtown kind of feels a bit repetitive and got irritating. Not a bad album, but not one you listen to front to back, more of a lick and choose specific songs kind of thing, whenever your in the mode for a song from here
This is a very goofy album with some fun songs.
Interesting stuff, there was life before Love Shack I guess.
Not super familiar with this record in this context, but a lot of these songs are familiar and this sound is certainly familiar. I think the B-52's are just ubiquitous in our culture at this point. Classic new wave vibes, and pretty fun to listen to a couple times through.
Agitating...in a good way? Nobody sounds like the B-52s. Never have and never will. Catchy and seemingly a-musical at times, the beat, shout-singing and throwback elements do combine for something listenable, and even enjoyable if you're in the mood. It never occurred to me that Gene Belcher from BOB'S BURGERS would probably rank this band at the top of his musical influences list. Is that a good or bad thing? I don't know.
Some great beats but I never liked the singing. Not a B-52’s fan.
I don't know what is happening, but I like it.
10th March 2023 Listened on the Monday because we spent the weekend in Napoli! Spiky, punky but with a funny spin and occasional surfers groove. Very unique.
An album from 1979, but in the moments you can hear the '90s. Not quite my tempo...
The B-52's were punk rock, the opening song Planet Claire was a statement, stating that you're on a ride and it's whatever the B-52's dish out. Rock lobster is a classic, a little long but a classic for the ages and should be played at every gathering henceforth.
Nothing, in my opinion, will ever tip Love Shack. I have never liked Rock Lobster and I don’t really get the band so it wasn’t really for me I’m afraid.
It was a funky and fun album, overall it was ok. I like the instrumentals. I give it more like a 3.5/5.
groovy. wacky
A quite enjoyable album, which clearly states their influences and ideas. They got a whole lot better in putting their ideas to the music in a more concisely defined way.
Are B-52s thought of as a bit of a gimmick / daggy group? When their main songs are so famous, and are about rock lobsters etc, probably hard to avoid. But this album is a great listen, and Rock Lobster is actually a banger that holds up. They describe themselves on their own website as "The World's Greatest Party Band"...happy to run with that.
Not bad; perhaps just a bit too rowdy for me at 5am
Nothing earth shattering here but a crazy and oblique view. Solidly entertaining and just the right preparation for a night out.
If you like new wave then you love this album
This takes me back to the days when I used to go out dancing every weekend. There was a part of the evening where the B-52’s, along with King Kurt and The Cramps were always played in succession. The dancefloor was so packed you had to dance with your shoulders, and maybe a bit of elbow. These are floor fillers for a certain audience. I love the energy and whimsy. I’d happily get on the dancefloor now if Rock Lobster or Planet Claire were on the turntable. I don’t really need to hear a whole album but I loved that it flashed by very quickly without straining my patience. Always a bonus.
Planet Claire was a youth club disco favourite around 1982. What the fuck is this? It sounded like nothing else that was around at the time. It helped that my gf at the time was also called Claire. Our planets never really collided. The is the dumb shit rock 'n' roll that I craved for earlier. Rock Lobster is as stupid as stupid can be. I bloody love it.
The B-52's were a new wave, post punk band, most famous for the song Love Shack, and Rock Lobster. This was their debut album. Their sound blends "surf rock" guitars with heavy synth backing and weird psychadelic, nonsensical lyrics. I enjoy the male/female vocal dynamic. This music is weird, but in a good way. Some of their stuff was too out there for me (like when their singing doesn't mesh with the time signature that the instruments are playing) but overall, I can see how many bands that came later drew influence from this band. Overall, an interesting listen today. Before this I was only familiar with their hits, but discovered a few more songs I hadn't heard before, but really liked. Favourite songs: Rock Lobster, Lava, 6060-842 (6060 842) Least favourite songs: 52 Girls, Planet Claire, Hero Worship, Downtown 3/5
Chispeante
Not my vibe. Not available on Spotify.
Some weird stuff, kinda dug it
It was fine
Kitch, oddly tuned guitars. As part of the post punk scene this always seemed a bit odd with its 50s throwback shieky vocals and visual styling. Rock Lobster was a college mainstay. 3 (i think)
I feel like I should like the B-52’s because I like new wave and surf rock, but the constant speak-singing is just kind of off-putting to me. I like “Rock Lobster”, which I’ve already heard a couple of times.
Pas mauvais, rien de fou
Good fun, really enjoyed Planet Claire.
This album was what I assume experiencing the full spectrum of bipolar disorder feels like... in the space of half an hour. It was cool and cruisy, there were hokey "spooky" Monster Mash-type bits, sometimes we sang, sometimes we screamed seemingly uncontrollably, sometimes serious, sometimes all a big fucking joke. The punkier stuff was pretty grating but I genuinely like Rock Lobster (not a hipster, I swear), and the other couple of tunes that sounded similar did it for me enough to give it a 3/5.
A pretty interesting and very basic 80s album that came out just before the big wave. The new wave sound that the B52s used seem to be some of the most popular and crazy style sounds that make the music dated but is impressive since they were some of the first. Some of the songs like rock lobster are fun and catchy. Would revisit some songs. 6.0/10
Kitschy as hell. As it should be! It's a small doses listen for me, but a listen nonetheless.
The first track made me nervous, but then we get into more what's expected from the B-52s. I prefer the tracks that more heavily feature the female vocalists over the guy talk-singing. Overall fun, weird surf rock.
It has quite a unique vibe that I love but it doesn't hold well for long. Also, it's freaking hard to find online which pmo
HL: “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire”, “Downtown” 3.5 I think “B-52’s” (the album) will grow on me the same way its “Rock Lobster” did; for now I felt like I was being smacked in the head with its madcap energy after only 40 minutes. November 1, 2022
Pop un tanto extravagante, sin grandes alardes. No lo destacaría especialmente, aunque tiene un ritmo particular
Some kooky old classic B 52s, plenty of fun but won't make it to my play list as a regular
doodoodoodoo doodoodoodoo
I can only imagine what it was like to live in this era
I'm sure they had a lot of fun making this, but that does not mean that I did when I listened to it. The band sounds tight with very nice guitar work, but the vocal duo are a bit irritating and the songs don't really work for me.
Rating: 6/10
not great, not bad. Rock lobs ter
Not my thing really, but better than I expected
Not something I would listen to, but Rock Lobster is a great song not gonna lie
Heard it before?: No but have heard a few tracks already Enjoy it?: Yeah for what it is, this is just a bit of fun and something that can’t be taken seriously so in that regard it’s good, some good tracks and some that sound a bit silly because of vocals Favourite song: Track 5 - Lava
Meh.
Fun songs but the male singer's voice is annoying
Interesting tones that are definitely dated. Album intro definitely longer than any than I can remember with vocals coming in super late. Super fun tunes with guitars high in the mix. Strong show tune vibes are ever present. The back up vocals add a ton to the texture. I would love to see these guys live for sure.
Better than I expected
Really weird interesting goofy fun album. Only songs I knew were rock lobster and love shack. Dig the guitar tones and surfy vibe His singing is kinda annoying but totally works for the songs If it were only the gal singer I probably would listen to this more
Mostly unknown but enjoyable
Is ok
For sure a fun album just missing something I can’t put my finger on to push it to a five
Such a fun and interesting album. Well worth a listen.
Decent background music
Another important album
Ok but not for me
Kaut kads bluzs
Was expecting to like this more than I did. Rock Lobster is great, obviously, but not much else stood out. Something very similar rhythmically about many of the tracks - Planet Claire is Rock Lobster by another name for instance. Bit of a disappointment
Instrumentation is pretty good the vocals are a bit out there but it's a solid listen.
3/5 best - lava worst - 52 girls
So kooky!!!
What if teenaged vampires went to the beach? You have to give the B-52's credit for making music like literally no one before or since. And that's all you have to give them credit for.
Upbeat and quirky, but it all starts to sound the same after awhile. I gave it a few extra stars just for the weirdness of it all.
3, quirky rock lobster hours
Mostly notable for "Rock Lobster", which is an astounding new wave anthem. I remember downloading it back in Ye Olden Days of Napster and being amazed to discover it's nearly seven minutes long. I mean, I know it is, but it doesn't feel like that somehow.
It's definitely the B-52s but it sounds more late-60s than late-70s. Overall, it was listenable but lava and maybe planet claire were pretty much the only notable ones and even those weren't amazing
Rock Lobster will be with us until the heat death of the universe, but as what I'm not entirely sure.
Liked it more than I thought I would but a bit chirpy
This gets three stars just for Rock Lobster alone
Rock Lobster was huge in Australia in the 80s - it was everywhere all the time. We covered in my high school band of course. However the none of the rest of this album made any impact at all for some reason. So I was interested to listen to them, and thought this wasn't bad at all.
Songs mostly 1/3 too long
Diferente, pero no me llega del todo
Better than I expected. I've held onto a longstanding animosity towards this band because Love Shack is one of the most overplayed and annoying songs of the last forty years, but it's fortunately not on here. The one hit single on here that I'm familiar with is Rock Lobster, a song I actually do like. Maybe the band is better than I give them credit - my only real exposure has been Love Shack, Rock Lobster, and Roam, a song that always felt like a particularly weak Blondie track. I also can't say I'm a fan of their kitschy aesthetic, something that always felt like Devo/Talking Heads idiosyncrasy but lacking the level of social commentary and taking a detour to the 50s/early 60s by way of John Waters. And while I like Devo and John Waters and love the Talking Heads, something about what the B-52s were doing always felt a little toothless by comparison. TLDR, I didn't hate it like I expected, but it didn't completely win me over.
I wish i was in the studio during the recording of rock lobster. A fun party as an album. Just not a party i would attend again
released in 1979.... sounds before it's time
This is the debut album from the new wave band The B-52's. The album was received well by critics, and the band quickly gained a fanbase as a result of this and the fun-loving lyrics and mood of their music. The band tried to emulate music from pop icons of earlier decades, but also add a little more funk and danceable beats. While this would seem like an imposter tactic, it paid off for the band because their music was in fact still good enough on its own. Although the music is good, I am not normally a fan of the pop genre, so that skews my opinion on this album.
All the typical B52 things - weird voice guy, solid vocal gal, quirky lyrics and keyboards - with a bit more punk style vocals than I expected.
"Planet Claire" sounds like a Bond song. "Rock Lobster" is honestly not a good song, but it's humor factor and bassline make up for the rest of it. All in all not too bad of an album just early new wave.
This is exactly what I was expecting when I receive the album this morning. I'm not sure if this is good but at the same time, it attends to my expectations. Well, I don't know, maybe my expectations were not good enough.
Knew a few of these but was surprised to find that this whole album didn't grab me as much as I had anticipated. Perhaps it's a grower.
iraq lobstaaa
Genre: New Wave 3/5 Better than your average New Wave venture, the B-52's self-titled album is one great half of music followed by what I would assume are six songs that they also tried on, but effort can't be heard, at least from where I'm standing. A few decent openers, and one mega-hit, Rock Lobster, but this is all The B-52's had to offer at this time. It makes for a semi-decent listen. This genre can sound grating at times, but we were early enough in the process when this album was conceived that this mostly sounds like punk/power pop continuation/progression. There aren't too many ridiculous arrangement choices a la Dexy Midnight Runners, and while it may lack in the experimenation department, this is decent inoffensive pop music. The vocals can be off-putting at times, but the arrangements are pretty straightforward. Much more boring than I was anticipating.
So delightfully kooky! And surprisingly rockin! I really enjoyed this more than I thought, and can't wait to listen to it again when I'm on the way to the beach to get PUMPED (and to get weird).
Pros: - It's a very unique sound. It's got this 50's ish thing, but the guitars and vocals are more experimental then what they were doing in the 50s. Cons: - One reason why I don't have this up higher is that I think there's something with the songwriting that keeps it from being a 4 or 5 but I can't exactly figure it out. "Dance This Mess Around" for example is a really cool song- it's energetic yet also laid back. The vocals yell in your face while the guitars play a minimalism riff that repeats throughout. It's a great sound, but I can't help but feel like the recording engineer hit the "record" button and they just jammed this track out. What makes it even harder to pinpoint is that the album has tracks like Rock Lobster, which show multi faceted strengths in songwriting; the structure is super well thought out, the instrumentation really great, the lyrics are funny and a little simple but have such a unique theme. It makes me think this song had a lot of thought put into it. Misc: - Overall I enjoy the album and it's a fun listen. I think maybe if it was a little more dynamic and strayed a little further at times from the variables that seem to appear in most tracks: mid tempo / drumset / clean, spanky guitar / fun vocals , then I would rate it a 4. It's always hard to say (write) something like that though because I do understand that this is their sound. Rock Lobster is one of the quirkiest songs of all time.
This was a strange trip. Makes me wonder how they ever found the success they did.
The first 4 songs are absolutely stellar. They are quirky unique and catchy. Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn’t quite hold up as well, being weird without being so entertaining.
If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?
Loved this as a kid (my teen cohorts definitely not getting it, putting me in for a bit of mockery - but they were all drunkenly dancing to Love Shack in college in just a few short years). Did not hold up for me quite so well - the minimalist kitsch, the repetition. But still enjoyed it.
i really hated the background track because it was just so repetitive. it had no interesting aspect to it it it was just a basic beat and was snooze worthy.
Very fun and silly
3/5
aight
Нет
The whole album was extremely energetic, but while some songs were catchy and groovy, others sounded a bit like a middle school talent show act that everyone uncomfortably claps for. Will have to try this one again. 2.5, but I'll give it a 3.
High-pitched melodies from a keyboard/organ, shouting lyrics, energetic drums, yet somehow this was not quite punk and way more funk. In a way the sound is futuristic and something one would expect from an episode of "The Jetsons". The album opens with "Planet Claire" using what had become an ubiquitous bass line synonymous with action television of the 60s the kind that is familiar to anyone who has watched "Nick at Nite" at any point in their life. Playful and fun, again, something akin to the enjoyment and perhaps dystopian vibe of "The Jetsons" where fashion is eccentric and okay, where old-fashioned does not exist or even matter where the world is in automated order in need of flirtation with chaos. The album is remarkably progressive in this sense. Punkish attitude minus the statement pieces, it is though one has stepped into the world of Scott Pilgrim where a strange mix of apathy and personal drive have collided. The album lyrics are anthological with themes and linear storytelling seemingly nonexistent, but rather than being lost the B-52s have assumed the role of tour guide from Planet Claire to the exciting life on a beach.
Prima bandje maar niet helemaal mijn ding, iets te soft en commercialized
Fun and kitschy album. Definitely very front-heavy. Rock Lobster is obviously just an absolute classic.
Pretty rockin' album here. Great performances, songs are catchy but a little too long. Didn't realize the classic hit "Rock Lobster" was 7 minutes long. But a fun album outside of all that.
Listened to on 2/3/22 3/5 Favorite Songs: Hero Worship, Lava Fun party music for the 70s and would definitely listen to the background
Rock Lobster is always a jam, but most of the album is a bit difficult to listen to just because of how odd it is. Granted, I can definitely see how this was a very influential album.
2/3/22 Quirky. Fun. Background music.
Very funky and upbeat. Interesting sound and overall fun album.
I really like the vibe of this album, but all the songs could have been 2 minutes shorter
New wave surf-rock that revels in its own silliness- I careered between being immensely on board and feeling incredibly irritated by every note. Between them, the band carve out a very niche, idiosyncratic sound that seems to take the oddball "art-punk" scene of the late 70s to its extreme. Did any other band take it this far and enjoy the same level of commercial success and critical acclaim hand-in-hand? It's hard to imagine who else might have pulled it off. "Planet Claire" beams the band into the galaxy with a "retro-futuristic" feel even for 1978: a clean and trebly guitar riff twangs around a searing chromatic organ sequence in one of the strongest instrumental moments on the record. "Dance This Mess Around" climaxes in an addictive insistent refrain, and "6060-842" is catchy if a bit repetitive. There's a lot of fun to be had if I'm in the right frame of mind, but the chief flaw is that in several places, the inherent novelty factor becomes too pronounced, and "B-52's" becomes obnoxious for the sake of it. The main offenders are Fred Schneider's constipated vocals (thank god they have multiple vocalists) and the relentlessy kitschy lyrics- "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)" springs to mind. Both factors come to a head with the best known track "Rock Lobster", which I had no idea was 7 minutes long on the album version... it wasn't a welcome discovery. The musicianship and the songwriting is all quite simplistic, to striking effect on the album's best tracks but failing to redeem the inherent novelty value of the worst. "B-52's" can be quite a party, but if you're not on their wavelength, you'll be looking for the nearest open window to jump out of.
Pendulum swings from love this to shoot me now. So I'll go with a 3
Definitely interesting
Hmmm
Intro je kao uvod u nekakav super outer space herojski film, ali kroz album općenito vladaju ti quirky instrumentali uz njihovo nabadanje uzvika, pjevušenja, pričanja i vikanja - sve u svemu zabavan album. Na mjestima (pjesmama) osjetim taj neki miks vokala i ritma - Siouxie + Blondie uz začin vedrijeg post punka/new wavea. 6060 - 842! and I'm waiting for you! Favoritne: Dance This Mess Around, Rock Lobster, 6060 - 842.
This album quickly establishes the B-52's iconic sound with Planet Claire, and also has Rock Lobster. There is definitely some room for growth, though, as some of the tracks are a bit aimless. I think their work gets better from here.
Another one of those "you've heard of them, but never listened to them" artists. Obviously familiar with "Rock Lobster", such a fun song. I did not realize that track is nearly 7 minutes long. As far as the album goes, it's quirky and fun, however there's some serious musicianship happening! It's actually a pretty decent surf-rock/new wave album. Didn't love it, but it's alright.
Liked it, but not amazing
Not as revered as the B51's, but okay
Dug the James bond/ surfing guitar sounds. Pretty simple, and a little annoying. Do not really like their voices. Can't say I'd listen to this one. 2.5
Meh. I can appreciate them on one hand and dislike them on the other. Weird as shit. Good for them.
It is alright. Not really memorable.
Always fucking weird
Fine
Lots of fun, crazy guitar and vocals. Interesting would I listen again? Don't know
In this expert reviewer's opinion, these are not songs. These are goofy experimental jams with a few repeated phrases interspersed, which is cool too. My prior exposure to the B52s was Cosmic Thing, which is full of songs. Some really great ones. Songs or not, every single track is danceable, weird, at least slightly interesting. But also, who cares? Maybe I need to look under the beehive hair and Secret Agent Man grooves to find the point. B
Didn’t know this album was ‘79, earns a few points for that. Lead singer sounds like Dead Kennedy’s or New Order. The aesthetic is like punk but in the style of 50s atom punk. I feel like the band are mediocre musicians. A few songs started to sound like a kids album, or maybe kids albums sound like this. It did start to grow on me a little. But just okay, 3.
I was dreading playing this, but there was actually some interesting stuff going on. Can definitely hear some Oh Sees in some of this. Some weird/fun/wild stuff going on. Some obnoxious stuff for sure.
Je n'ai pas eu le temps d'écrire ma review hier après l'écoute de cet album, mais vu que Robert n'a visiblement pas eu le temps de réparer le générateur personne ne m'en tiendra rigueur. La série noire continue, la vague de perturbations entrevue courant de la semaine dernière persiste dans le ciel générateurien, une éclaircie est attendue au plus vite.
Nice mix of fun and post-punk sounds
Very odd. Classic new wave. Planet Claire is an absolute classic. 6-7/10
Classic, and just in time for Halloween.
// Favs: – Score: Light 3
Esta padre el a-go-go y es música muy agradable. Rock Lobster se siente eterna en comparación al resto del disco. 2.5 sube a 3. Songs: Hero Worship, Rock Lobster
Cool band, wanted it to go longer than it did.
Good stuff. Not a huge fan of new wave. Like a lot of B52s, Cars, Talking Heads. But not enough to buy any albums.
Finally something with a beat. Last few albums have been slow/boring. I wasn't expecting to like this very much, probably because I'm not that big a fan of 80s music and I thought this would be pretty pop-oriented (Love Shack is probably the only song of theirs have some awareness of). But it's surprisingly good. Fun surf guitars and driving beats. Vocals remind me of X a bit. Good, enjoyable listen but also nothing earth shattering for me so it's unlikely I'll revisit much. Very solid 3 stars.
3.5 weird but i enjoyed it
Close to a 4 star for me
Good fun, and I love Rock Lobster.
I groaned when I saw this come up but really enjoyed this. Would listen again and probably buy on vinyl.
not bad, can get quite whiney at times
funny pop sound, addictive melodies.
One of the freshest, disruptive bands of their time. I can see why John Lennon liked them (e.g. a touch of "Yoko-like" vocals in Rock Lobster?). I can't listen to more than one album at a time, it ends up being all too similar, but I must recognize their new, innovative approach.
This album really rocked in places. Lovely mix of 50s and 60s surf pop, garage and punk. Really interesting and catchy. They just made me smile and I love their voices. At times I thought, 'ah this is just silly' and their voices are really annoying. A couple of songs sounded like a really good version of The Wiggles. Overall I really enjoyed it.
ROCK LOBSTARR DOWN DOOOWWWWWWN
I think I get why it’s important, see the emergence of electronica… too cheesy for me though
A very strange and fun project. Might need a little to get used to it though.
peppy, reasonably interesting
Punky with some catchy riffs. Doesn’t sound like the ‘Love Shack’ band.
Decent not my vibe though really
not as many classics as Cosmic Thing but still a great new wave/dance rock album. I liked the guitar on rock lobster tho
Wierd
You can't beat Rock Lobster.. this is real time surf rock. Not for the faint of heart or the causal listener.
A lot of fun songs and some classic hits. Definitely a fun flying album. Some weaker songs that you tire of quickly but overall very strong and at times funny album.
Classic b52. Not bad musically or lyrically
A quirky album that’s quite unique
OK, of its time
Great fun and a bit punky
3.5. Good
Nice to be educated in the fact there's more to the B-52's than Love Shack!
3/5 in the end it didn't matter tbh
Vooral de leuke baslijntjes spraken me aan. Maar algemeen gevoel van het album is maar matig
Different, a solid ***
fun album
"Planet Claire has pink air All the trees are red No one ever dies there No one has a head" (Planet Claire) "We were at the beach Everybody had matching towels Somebody went under a dock And there they saw a rock It wasn't a rock It was a rock lobster Rock lobster! Rock lobster!" (Rock lobster) "There's a moon in the sky It's called the moon" (There's a moon in the sky (called the moon)) Aprecio mucho el altísimo componente mamarracho de las letras de este disco.
Side one or the first half are classics that have lived on. Side two I haven't heard before and their style wears a bit thin on it. Hard to put a label on this but post-punk/new wave dance for the era could work.
Some fun tunes, definitely heard rock lobster before
Demasiado de su época. No soporta el paso del tiempo, pero no está mal del todo
Good but kinda dumb at various moments
I couldn't always get into their kitschy retro aesthetic, and there's a reason that "Rock Lobster" is the song they're best known for: it's the best song on the album by a mile. It's certainly not a bad album, but it's not for me.
Semibängeri Surf rock
3
I can really hear the beginning of the 80s in this one. It’s…strange. I don’t hate it, but I find it mildly annoying, mostly when the guy is sort of yelling.
Yup. It’s the B52s
Average pop
Delightfully weird.
Love shack baby.
3
Yeah, I haven't taken enough drugs to get it. Rock Lobster is funny, though.
ROCK LOBSTAH
Definitely a fun, unique group. Some very memorable songs but didn't hold my attention all the way through.
Good but sadly some songs were missing
Good, but not really my thing.
I typically hate the B-52‘s radio play, but this actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I think it’s the vocals of the two lead singers that get to me. 2.5/5.
2.33
Standouts Rock Lobster
The B-52's have always been too kitschy for me. The nasal vocals, high register organ, and persistent bass lines just grate on me.
Nowhere near as bad I expected
I really dislike the guy "singing". It works for the context of the band, but it is not for me
Not my favorite
Musik wie aus einem Scooby Doo Film.
Debut album, New Wave—not my kind of music.
I was excited when I first heard Rock Lobster (a great song) but disappointed with the rest of the album. Planet Claire isn't bad but the rest isn't very good. They did have a unique sound though.
a little too wonky for me, like they're trying to be eccentric and they are, but I dont like it.
The first couple of tracks were amazing. Really eclectic and witty homage to 2950s b-movies. Then it goes on and on and on. Horrible. I don't ever want to listen to this again. Two stars for the exuberance and creative pastiche-ery.
I hate Rock Lobster. Hate it. It's barely a song is it. Just a collection of noises and stupid people. The rest of this is a little better, but not much. It has the good grace to rattle through though, so at least the mindlessness is quite temporary.
Rock Lobster is great, but it just sounds dated now.
I was aware of The B-52s before O listened to this. I liked the Peter Gunn Style intro to Planet Claire and I enjoyed Rock Lobster (although it’s far too long at 7 minutes). The rest of the album felt quite samey and a bit boring for me. I do appreciate its quirkiness but I don’t think I’d bother to listen to it ever again.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SINGING HOLY SHIT SOMEBODY PLEASE HAVE A DECENT VOICE IM BEGGING
I did not vibe with this at all. I can see it being a punk precursor. But it’s way over the top to the point of being incredibly obnoxious.
Freaking iconic but kind of tiring as a whole album
I love Love Shack and Rock Lobster ... But this is not for me
Albüm genel olarak yokk 😕ama dinlediğim oarcalardan rock lobster xndncd zatenn
The album was.. fine? Like a 2.5? It wasn't bad, but also didn't enjoy it in any way. Nothing that got me interested enough to really jam to it.
Meh. It’s like trying to stuff a circus into a sausage casing.
I’ve never been a fan. Novelty music
First song kinda funny i mean is kinda synth pop ? The album is cohesive and at the same time monotonous 2,6/5
I didn’t like how much instrumentals were in the album. I prefer the hits to this album.
It was a nice listen which contextualized to what it aims to be, a quirky and fun indie record, makes it be a worthy addition to the list. What separates it from other records of its ilk is that this one contains some highlights (like 'Rock Lobster') which make it standout ever slightly. 7/10 [KEEP]
Rock Lobster is fun as a joke, but just like the rest of the album I wouldn't listen to it daily.
Fun, didnt hurt to listen through but not my cup of tea really. Rock lobster was as expected the best on the album but nothing Ill add to the collection. Soft punk rock (y)