B-52's

Rock Lobster is fun

Not really something I enjoyed although I can hear some good parts.

It's fine if you know what to expect, but it's not their best.

I’ve neither the time nor the energy to write much today—and, regrettably, not because I’ve been dancing this mess around to The B-52s' terrific debut. It’s a smart, silly record: cool, but also somehow chilling. There's heat and sweat here, but not much warmth. It reminds me of the first Suicide album—the dead-eyed gaze of kitsch and retro, more alienating than nostalgic. Really, it isn’t a dance party so much as one of those aimless get-togethers where a B-movie plays in the background. No one’s really watching, but somehow everyone ends up quoting its worst lines for months. They mean nothing, but become a shibboleth. Over the weekend, I was listening to The Dreaming by Kate Bush and thinking about the way she uses her voice. Mocked for adolescent squeakiness on his 1979 debut (the same year as this record), she doubled down by her fourth album - twisting her voice, embodying characters, leaping across her vocal range (and a handful of dodgy accents). It's - understandably - rare to hear female singers willing to make their voices grotesque, but Kate does it unflinchingly. So do Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson of The B-52s. Despite the band’s limited instrumental palette, the singers - but especially the women - offer a stunning range: goofy, shrill, sexy, disaffected, guttural, subaquatic. They embraced this wildness openly, crediting Yoko Ono, and, in turn, John Lennon recognised the influence: it brought him back into the game briefly in 1979. Without the time to think about The B-52s deeply, it was still enjoyable to listen to how it plays with the idea of the voice - not just as melody, but as texture, character, chaos. Don't listen to it too closely, as none of it makes sense. It's all the background stuff brought upfront: snatches of conversation, bits of ideas, the people at the party you don't introduce yourself to. And, yet, you end up quoting its worst lines for months. 3.5 The shadow of The Joshua Tree still hangs over my listening this week. Born in the USA invoked it by being another big seller stadium rock album about America, though outplaying U2 and throwing its lyrical shyness into unforgiving relief. I find the B-52’s have somehow also dragged my mind back to the U2 album. In general, I don’t prefer light, comic/absurdist, danceable party music. I like my pop music earnest and emotionally weighty, for the most part. So why can’t I sympathise more with U2’s effort at least? Why am I gripped today by the notion that Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For could only by improved by the guest appearance of Fred Schneider? (LOOKIN’ up the mountain/ RUNNIN’ round the fields/ SEARCHIN’ for that Jesus/ Hey, WHERE could he be?’) The B-52’s’ secret, apart from that apostrophe, is how much skill and effort goes into their version of frivolous. The wealth of ideas and careful working-out that is folded into a track like ‘Dance This Mess Around’ is more moving than Bono’s clambering up Sinai. There is also more insight into America in ‘52 Girls’ than anything Bono has ever mustered. I enjoyed this album today, seriously. 3/5

Goofy and kitschy, but the tone can wear a little thin near the end.

Great rythm and hooks, but ultimately about one song - Rock Lobster

Fun!

Always enjoyed Rock Lobster. Album was ok. This must have sounded strange back then.

The B-52's are certainly one of the more unique bands that got attention in the 80s. Not my favorite, but at least they had some interesting ideas. It's like a 1950s cheesy horror movie poster.

super bon rollero m'ha agradat molt

Couldn’t find on Spotify (https://archive.org/details/the-b52s-debut-album) ‘Planet Claire’ vocals has an Ian Curtis sound to it. Songs/instruments nice arrangements - unique, a bit messy and punchy. Kitsch. Really enjoy the rawness and originality of this album. Crazy punk, surf, sillies. Could hear some talking heads in here too and unsurprised they worked together (unsuccessfully!) and generally, just their clear influence in so much that came after. Was okay for it to finish when it did, but I enjoyed my ride 😎 Great version of ‘Downtown’ to finish. (3.5)

I like their wacky style. Never would have guessed that Rock Lobster was 46 years old though.

Just a charming album. Not mega long. I don't think the B-52's took themselves too seriously, and it shows. It doesn't come off as pretentious, just fun. Would I come back to this one? I doubt it, but it's still pretty good.

Loved hearing the foundational sound that inspired the Pixies’ sharper edge. Overall a one-time listen rather than a repeat favorite.

Starts off strong then steadily gets lazier and lazier.

I didn't realise the B-52's had more than one album. Heard the classics before, but Love Shack and Roam are on another album. This one does have Rock Lobster. Weird, eclectic, upbeat. Those are the main descriptors I'd use for the B-52's. I love the backup vocal harmonies! They are a bit silly but that's part of the charm.

Absurd. Scrappy. I respect it, but it's not my go-to.

Fun music, but really have to be in the right frame of mind. Didn't like this album as much as some of their other songs I've heard though. 3/5.

I’m hit or miss with The B-52’s songs I’ve heard outside their main singles. Definitely never listened to an entire album before and was somewhat pleasantly surprised. The tracks were fun and were definitely in line with what I expected based on their singles, which I generally enjoy. While I didn’t love this album, but I liked it well enough. “Rock Lobster” and “Downtown” were my favorite tracks, but nothing stood out to me in a negative way. Solid 3 stars.

I like how they drew inspiration from the psych/surf rock era and added their own style. Early trendsetters rolling into the 80’s for sure.

already a step up from the other albums so far... the magic has faded. 3/5

2.5/5 it’s ok.

Its interesting listening to this again. I remember the first time around I really liked it and it inspired me to listen to the rest of the B-52s discography. Coming back to this after that it seems that while this is a great record and you can tell they already found their sound they didn't really perfect this weird oddball sound until their next record which came out almost less than a year after this. With that perspective in mind I am dropping my rating a bit from my first playthrough. This is a great introduction to this band and their sound however so it does what it needs to do being on this list.

Full disclosure, I love surf and rockabilly, and the B-52s play with the genre beautifully. Planet Claire and Rock Lobster are worth the listen of this album, and most of the songs are fun and catchy, but some just don't hit. In an era where New Wave is about to take over, it is refreshing to see a band so unabashedly in love with old rock styles.

I was stoked to listen to this album. I like the B-52's! At least I thought I did. Rock Lobster is a killer but the rest of this album doesn't really resonate. I'm honestly a little surprised this band hit like it did and was so successful in 1979. Who knew that a band ushering in the 1980s by doing a sendup of 1960s surf rock would be so popular? Did people like things ironically back then? Nah, this is sincere as shit.

It may not have had the best songs, but that surf-rock sound kept me bopping throughout.

Some parts of this Post Punk are as publicly recieved "infectious in rhythm and guitar riffs, featuring kitschy lyrics, and party atmosphere" while others we're simply annoying (screamy, stuttering vocals).

It's very B-52's

Okay. Good

All the fun sound and upbeat humor that were the group's signature style feel fully formed in this debut.

Rock lobster was on my first iPod, one of those shuffles that was a thumb drive. I had that and love shack on rotation when I was like 9

This music sounds like the number 80 (even though published 79).

This album was fun. Not something I’d put on regularly but I enjoyed it.

There is no way to describe B-52s other than weird, but pleasantly weird! They apparently drank from the same Alt-Rock, post-punk water as Oingo Boingo in 1979. I appreciate that they were the leaders of a strange new musical world. Rock Lobster is just strange but incredibly catchy. My favorite song of the day was Hero Worship. Katie Pierce and Cindy Wilson’s vocals play off each other in a really cool way.

Random thoughts: * Rock Lobster is still a super fun song! * What a weird group? How did this group actually work or come to be. They feel like they are way out in left field. * The first song sounded like it was inspired by those 50s/60s sci-fi b-movies. * I enjoyed their punky and funky version of "Downtown" to close out the album. * B-52s feel like they are closer to Weird Al than any alternative rock but maybe they just are that connective tissue between those genres.

I liked 'Planet Claire', it felt funky/fun while still being cool. Also lol'd when the guy just yells "WELL SHE ISN'T!". Some of the other stuff swung the pendulum too far to the funky/silly side for me. Would be interested to see if other B52 stuff is just a meme or not, because the instrumental work is great. 3⭐ feels generous, but 2 would feel harsher.

Spiky nerdy pop. Delicious.

I thought it was gonna be just another rock album, but it is not. Rock Lobster is a bop.

Some classic bangers on here and I love how committed they are to being goofy. Excellent musicianship on most of the songs, but that being said I don’t see myself retiring to most of these songs all that often.

Boooo no love shack on this album!

Favorites: Planet Claire, 52 Girls, Dance This Mess Around, Rock Lobster It's insane to me how much better the first side is compared to the second side... That being said, on the whole, this is a new wave staple. They really started to take the genre and have fun with it on this record, with Rock Lobster being the prime example of new wave at its silliest and most innovative. If only the record as a whole was as strong...

I typically listen to the B-52’s on shuffle as an entire album seems too much. This was good, but again too much. Fred is fun, but I don’t really enjoy his songs as much as the ones with only Kate and Cindy.

“Hero Worship” is the best track on the B-52s debut, probably since it focuses on Cindy Wilson’s vocals and lets her cut loose. Fred Schneider’s vocals wear out their welcome first, and the interplay between him and Wilson and Kate Pierson are never as good on this album as they are on “Love Shack.” That song and “Roam” remain the warranted B-52 hits for me, but this self-titled debut launched their pretty notable song on the cusp of the 80s, so I get why it’s the one on the list.

Fun times

I always want to like the B52s more than I do. That’s not to say I don’t like them, they always just sound like the aural equivalent of a 1950s B movie. This album is a lot of fun though and I enjoyed the quirky vibe throughout. I like they have taken the post punk aesthetic in a totally different direction than every other post punk struggler. However, the last track is fairly horrible and the album, generally, tends to tip into self-aggrandising their weirdness. I like the album well enough, but not that much.

They were unique, always tongue-in-cheek, sometimes cheesy, but always fun to listen to.

Planet Claire, Rock Lobster, and some other stuff. I think we were accustomed to the Love Shack and Roam era.

Delightfully weird record that wasn't as strange as I thought it would be based on only knowing Rock Lobster. Also, a bizarrely horny record.

That was fun! Rock lobster rocks!

Who doesn't like Rock Lobster? The rest of this album is certainly uniquely B-52s. If there's anything that can be said for them, it's that they don't sound like anyone else. Is it supposed to be funny? Just weird? Serious (hopefully not...)? I've always hated Love Shack. This album is fine. Other than the absurdity value, I don't really feel any reason to listen to this one again all the way through. 2.5/5

Decent, not enough for a 4 but better than your average 3. Quirky galore. Sounded like Yoko Ono was on one song, probs the first direct Yoko influence I was able to hear in another artist

It was okay, but not my cup of tea. It was interesting to note that The B-52's were just as 'out there' from their 1st album as they were later in their career, but that same 'out there' aspect takes me out of the music and into wondering what they were on when they wrote and recorded it.

Rock Lobster is a super fun song. Favorite track: Rock Lobster other picks: 52 girls, hero worship

it ain't bad but i think if you like it you are a theatre kid

Goofy, fun, doesn’t overstay its welcome

This music is so un-serious in the best way. Side note: I can't hear rock lobster without thinking about family guy

Pretty good

Quite enjoyable, I feel like it carried the same shtick across the entire album and it got a little repetitive with the same riff being carried across the whole of the songs but it had enough to the tracks that helped keep it fresh. I thought the male and female vocals working together worked really well, highlights were lava (my favourite), dance this mess around and the moon one which was a goofy song lyrically but it was good in that way (same with the lobster one). Overall I thought this was quite a fun album so a high 3 (6/10).

Wasn’t awful by any means but nothing really stuck out

Not a bad listen.

I liked it. Really wish I could give it 4 stars but just isn’t quite worthy enough unfortunately

Virkelig skør plade, men ekstremt committed til at være skør. Havde list svært ved at finde ud af hvad jeg synes om det, men er ret positiv i sidste ende! Gad godt feste med dem!

Just ok for me.

Pretty cool and funky. If I'm in the right mood wouldn't mind revisiting.

Fun listen in a museum exhibit type of way. Probably won’t revisit

If it’s good enough for John Lennon…. What an assault on the senses this was. I really couldn’t tell if I liked it or not. Certain songs were just bonkers but I found myself tapping my toes along to quiet a few. If nothing else it was great to hear something very different to most of the other stuff on here and made me smile at times. So certainly bonus points for that.

A lot of fun and some catchy tunes. Seems very ahead of its time and not out of place now. I guess her vocals can be a bit grating and the album tailed off a bit, but an enjoyable listen.

It could have been a 4 star album but after having the Rock Lobster riff stuck in my head all damned day I lowered it to a 3.

Fun and pop-y. The songs sounded more “real” than Loveshack which was their only other song that I knew and found to have a novelty song sound. I especially enjoyed the cover of Downtown that ended the album.

3.5 alternately interesting and grating

Not too long, and not terrible to listen to, but no real enjoyment. They have a distinct and competent sound that does absolutely nothing for me.

Not bad. Simpsons: Yes (glove slap)

Pretty good. Expected the sound, but was impressed overall. 3/5

Lots of fun, silly, catchy tunes, but the style can get a bit grating after a while

Classic

Very fun listen. I definitely see myself getting annoyed with it but for now I enjoyed myself

Seeing them live was one of the stranger rock moments of my life. Listening to this was a weird experience, and I dug some of the deep tracks I was not familiar with.

A point in time and a joy to rediscover, but not much on the need for repeats in listening.

That's not my taste in music - But ok

So THIS is where the meme comes from!

OK but disappointing

hehehehehee

fun and quirky. music that will make you wanna clap ya hands and shake ya ass. but in regards to fred schneider and his presence on the album, less is more.

Fun enough, I guess. Fred Whatshisface gets annoying pretty quickly, though.

. They are good but Wrong mood when I listened. Early punk influencers 3.5

Weird and goofy, but structured and accessible enough to be enjoyable.

Just fun goofy rock. Some better than others but I can understand how it set the stage for bands that came later that have similar style

3.5

De B-52s. Bekende naam. Maar waar zijn ze ook alweer van? Opzetten maar. O, dat nummer. Dat is super fijn. Zo'n oud nummer dat fijn in veel moderne elektronische mixen een prima plek heeft weten te bemachtigen. Nou, nu heb ik wel zin in de rest. Maar dan komt vanaf het volgende nummer een dame door de vrij relaxte muziek heen blèren. Zonde. Af en toe wordt de muziek ook redelijk vervormd. Soms werkt het ook nog wel, het lijkt soms wel een soort vrolijk makende punk. Toch bijzonder. Het is een eigen geluid, kan ik ook niet omheen. Maar luisterplezier beleef ik er niet aan. Het eerste nummer tilt het album naar een krappe voldoende.

meh

I only knew “Love Shack” so interesting to hear their other songs. Did not know they had albums from the 1970s! “Rock Lobster” is fun! “Downtown” is like the mellow precursor to “Love Shack”. Also kind of reminds me of Petula Clark’s “Downtown” from 1965.

Never heard of them. Only four years before Murmur. I’m not a Limburger.

6/10 Highlights: Rock Lobster Planet Claire

Non il mio genere

S t r o n g 3 o l i g h t r p e r b 5 2 s d i b 5 2 s

Vaya vaya. Una banda que siempre me pareció kitsch, pero con onda y buenos ganchos y ahora descubro que tienen un excelente álbum debut. La primera mitad me ha gustado más que la segunda.

Hmmmm. It's ok at best

The B-52s are always fun, dug their cover of Downtown. But not enough to give it 4 stars.

hauskaa nw pp..

B-52's have their own sound for sure. Not bad but in no rush for another listen.

I think the Fred’s voice is annoying. Always have. I can stand Kate, but there’s just something about the band that I can’t stand. Everything feels disconnected and janky. The instrumentation, the vocals, lyrics, writing, melodies, timing even. The whole thing makes me feel anxious. Good on ‘em if that’s what they were going for, but I don’t enjoy it. Sorry, but the B-52’s ain’t for me. 3/5

The Peter Gunn homage was fun - a solid pre-80s pop album which in its day must have sounded fresher than it does now.

B-52's was a pretty solid album. Even though this album did come out in the late 70s, it still feels so 80s and i still find that a really fun quirk of this album. The songs here are a pretty mixed bag though. There are some really good ones and some that i would remove if i were given the choice for one reason or another. Though the main thing that helps this album to be as good as it is has got to be Ricky Wilson, He is an absolute beast of a guitarist who pretty much does the majority of carrying this album. The other instruments and vocals were good too. This album is most definitely a good listen. Best Song: There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon) Worst Song: Downtown

Unique, punchy, goofy, lobsters rock. I like it

Feels like they are searching for a sound they haven't quite put their finger on yet. But Rock Lobster :D

So weird. So fun. It's inspiring how brazenly they brought their unique styles to the genres they played in. I love them on principle, even if I may never listen to this album again.

The music is good and interesting. I’m not totally into it, but clearly unique and everybody should hear this record.

Always struggled with rock lobster, but overall really enjoyed this.

I do love the singles Roam and Love Shack, and have always meant to explore the musical world of the B-52's in more depth. Apart from Rock Lobster I did not know any of the tracks from this album but really enjoyed them. Arguably, the sound and style is timeless, and if released today could prove to be successful. I loved it and will explore more of their material....BIG UP THE B-52's with your fun crazy nonsense...it's not just about a Love Shack!

Rock lobster fun mobster not awful just joyful

Giving this three stars rather than two on account of the fact that Rock Lobster is a classic song. I’m giving it three stars rather than four or five because the B-52s have a unique singing style which is difficult to stomach in such a large quantity. Also, all the songs are so similar that it gets slightly irritating.

Quirky is too much of an understatement. The kind of band people who love to think they're a bit different from others probably love - you know the type: they wear bowling shoes and carry a biscuit tin purely for affectation. Come on, you know - they'll laugh way too loudly to make sure everyone knows they're laughing and they'll hate everything you like. They'll dance wildly at parties and stand way too close to you while talking. That's this in album form. Best Tracks: Planet Claire; Dance This Mess Around; Rock Lobster

Post-punk quirkiness ahoy. Punk spikiness combined with late 60s surf-rock vibes, I can well imagine that the reaction to this on release was "well, this isn't something I've heard before". It's not all gold for sure, and Kate Pearson's finest work was obviously "Out of Time", but I have no beef with it being included on the list.

like this. sounds like a spooky tone but fun vibes.

Favorite Track: Rock Lobster

A little too post-punk for my taste, but this would've been really cool to hear when it first released.

It's the B-52s, so this album is exactly what you expect - a little wacky, sometimes a little 80s screamy, but still overall fun! Featuring Rock Lobster, a classic.

Very interested to see what they really sound like. I know the popular tunes but not much else. Very interesting, not really my style. Got lots of influences in this, punky, almost Devo-ish.

a little chaotic and strange

3 really weird but alright

The B-52's is the debut album by the B-52's, originally released in 1979. I really don't think Love Shack is representative of this band's sound. This record is much more punk-influenced than I was expecting. It was really cool to hear those early new-wave vibes that were starting to seep into music around this time. That's not usually my type of music, but I sure respect it. This album is pretty out there for a debut. It has some weird moments such as Rock Lobster but it's kinda endearing to me in a way. Like they were just having fun and weren't afraid to put songs like that on record.

I shockingly really liked this album more than I thought I would. I definitely thought this group was more meme-y because of Love Shack and Rock Lobster but I REALLY liked Planet Claire. Sadly that was the biggest stand out and my praise really ends there. I don't think they are as meme-y as before but I still don't think they are my taste. At least not this album. I get why it's on here for sure, the group is super popular and very pretty famous, at least I knew who they were when I was younger. I guess I just wanted more songs like Planet Claire and less songs like Rock Lobster. Still, I enjoyed the album overall quite a bit more than I thought I would. I really thought this was going to be like an easy 1 or a 2 but I struggled to give it a 3 or a 4. I think I am going to settle on 3 ultimately but it was a much harder choice than I thought it was going to be.

# 337 : Laugh! I've been waiting for a feel good record to come through this list for ages! Not very good technically, Musically or vocally but still a very fun record and I am all the more better for hearing it. Favourite track : Rock Lobster

Un po' edgy

I'm so glad this music exists. I don't think any group of people with the musical understanding and ability of a band of 13 year olds and fortunate enough to know a very competent drummer with nothing better to do could make music any more interesting than this. It never rises beyond novelty-act status. But it never feels like anyone wanted it to. I started high school in '83. Rock Lobster was a staple of our dances and we always went NUTS for it. I can only imagine what the house parties in Athens must have been like four years earlier.

3.5

Weird in the right ways. I love the satirical commentary of the 50s.

Fun, weird, quirky

A fun one. Rock Lobster for the agesssss!

#330. This is exactly as weird as you'd expect. No more, no less. 3/5: strange

A very fun album I’ve been waiting for. I remember when I was younger watching family guy and first hearing that song. I knew other B-52 songs but not that one and it got stuck in my head. Dance This Mess Around also got stuck on this listen. And I really enjoyed the opening of Planet Claire.

Not really for me.

Is it essential? No But is it fun? Yes!

Kooky, decent but after listening to thrash jazz felt relatively normal. Rock lobster is a better tune than I remembered. Enjoyable listen but didn't grab me 6/10

I'm in the middle of the road for this one. Me personally I didn't really hate much about it but I didn't like much for this album either. The fun quirky bits in this are nice to listen to but it doesn't really do much for me. All I got from this was a bunch of oddballs making an oddball album with a goofy album cover to top it off. Rock Lobster will always be a bop tho. Best - Planet Claire, 52 Girls, Rock Lobster, Lava, and 6060-842 Worst - Dance This Mess Around and Downtown 2.50-3.00/5

3.8. I liked it

The B-52's created their own lane in new wave music; they make danceable music that is quirky and goofy - both musically and lyrically. Their self-titled debut album contains one of their most famous songs - "Rock Lobster" - which is a great example of the type of music the B-52's make. These are fun, danceable pop songs with catchy, memorable hooks. This is a good collection of songs that showcase the band's work. Their version of silly, upbeat, new-wave pop songs made the B-52's into a successful band with an enduring career.

B-52's are one of those really quirky acts for which I struggle to understand how they attained popular success. Maybe the 70s/80s were just different, but the wonky vocals paired with surf-rock influences just don't seem to me to have the makings of mass appeal. In any case, four songs in I don't dislike it. Sure the vocals are weird, but the songs are tightly written. And the stand-out single "Rock Lobster" does nothing to shy away from the campiness. But what it lacks in traditional appeal it makes up for with a damned catchy bass riff and infectious yet silly chorus. I'd say this was fine, but I doubt I'll be back. Straddles somewhere on the 3/4 boundary for me. Going 3 because there wasn't enough there to really get me going.

I just can't take some of the lyrics seriously but can def get into some of the instrumentals. Rock Lobster is is so ridiculous it's good idk something about it. I enjoyed this one, but feel like I need this band in small samples.

The album wasn't a big hit.

A wacky but definitely fun. A bit too noisy for me though.

Solid album - good tunes made it all the way through :)

As wacky and zany as I'd expected. Everyone knows Rock Lobster and there are some catchy tunes on this album, but at times I just wish they'd leave the singing to Cindy and Kate as I find Fred's vocal irritating

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.