Wild Planet

Introduced to this band in the early 80s, again courtesy of my brother's precocious (for growing up in a small Midwest town pre-internet) musical tastes. I guess this is considered part of New Wave, though they have always seemed like a genre unto themselves to me. The heavy affectation of the male vocals is the kind of thing I usually complain about and I guess it's what's worn thinnest for me. But it holds up, the unabashed wierdball lyrics over engaging lyrics jangly mutated pop rock.

I got this album the day I got their debut album so to me they are one big long album. No, really...I could never decide which I liked more. There is no ROCK LOBSTER like hit on this album, but I think it might be better than the debut... maybe? Still I love it and think it is amazing.

I will never say no to another B-52’s album. I think their debut is the better album, but this is still a great album. Their unique brand of proudly weird new wave/post-punk is fantastic and truly unique. Great choice for a submission.

While the B-52's already had an album on the list, I think this LP is a much better representation of their energy and overall oeuvre. The tracks are a bit more varied, the energy is generally high, and the musicianship feels more honed than on their S/T record. 'Private Idaho' is my fav track from the band and much better than some of their other hits, and I will not hear anything to the contrary.

The B-52s already had an album on the original list, and this album is a carbon copy of it. Why would you use your one vote so pointlessly? 2/5.

The most annoying voices in musical history

So good! Just as good as the debut album, might be better? Love every song. So glad to see this on the list!

Great album! 4 stars.

I think I enjoy this more than their debut. 3.5 up to 4.

7/10. Tbh the list doesn't really need an extra B-52's album. Like once you've heard one of their albums, you know if you like them or not. Still, found this fairly enjoyable

Speaking of beachy... The B-52's followup leans toward post-punk and is better for it. This planet lacks some dimensionality; It's also appropriately short. A stumbling dance with the necessary edge of the ridiculous.

Not as good as the debut, but still a ton of fun.

Very good!

So much fun. I've been a big B-52's fan since forever and this album got massive amounts of play in my house when I was a teenager. I agree that it will always play second fiddle to the band's debut, which was nothing short of lightning in a bottle. While the original feels vibrant and effortless, Wild Planet comes off as a little try-hard by comparison. They're better musicians at this point in time, but a bit of the spark is missing. That said, there is still so much to enjoy here. The album has the band's trademark oddball sensibility that draws from a lot of styles while at the same time sounding absolutely like nothing else. It's danceable and gleefully weird party music that's hard not to like. Sassy vocal performances by Fred, Kate and Cindy. Lyrics are unabashedly silly in the best way. Fave Songs: Private Idaho, Give Me Back My Man, Dirty Back Road, 53 Miles West of Venus, Runnin' Around, Strobe Light

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Runnin’ around, Give me back my man, Strobe light

Kinda crazy that someone listened to 1089 albums over 3 years and chose another B-52's album that also doesn't have love shack on it lol. This was good B-52's music but not terribly memorable except for give me back my man and maybe private Idaho. Honestly I just wanted to get back to listening to the hazards of love because holy fuck its only gotten better.

OMFG some bands have more than one album on the list, what's the big deal?

I'm here for more B-52s. Glad someone corrected the fact we didn't have both great albums on the list.

Sounds exactly like every other B-52's album. Which is to say that it's enjoyable if not unremarkable.

Even though they are from the eighties, they still retain influences from the sixties and seventies, very go-go music with good drums. For this reason, their music is very rhythmic and danceable that the entire album could be a single melody that can be good and harmful at the same time.

We already had the B-52s debut (with Rock Lobster) and this is very similar. Post punk guitar pop. Fun and cool.

High energy and fun, feels a little novelty. 3.3

Only like one song but I like it a lot. Fun album to listen to.

Another B-52s album, which is pretty similar to the other one on the list, in all honesty. However, I liked the previous one and I like this too. It is maybe a little more melodic and a little less ferocious. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Private Idaho Date listened: 04/09/24

Not sure why this needed to be added. The self-titled B-52's album has several stronger songs, though is a bit more uneven. Wild Planet brings us Private Idaho and Strobe Light, which are both great, but everything else is pretty forgettable. It is more of the quirky party B-52's sound, which is enjoyable in limited doses.

Very aptly named. A classic sound from the 52s. Great when they are in harmony. Not so great when they aren't.

New wave, disco-punk, surf. Ni fu ni fa.

Never been a fan. This album doesn't change that. Is this even a different album than the one that was on the original list? They all sound the same to me.

I only know this from the hit 'Love Shack'. Although I realise this is a shallow bottom to critisize the rest of their music, it is the only thing I can do. It is simply too frivolic and gimmick like to me. After a few songs I was done.

Talented for a high school band

a But before my time and probably why I don’t have as much for this album as others might. B-52s have some good songs and are fun but this album doesn’t have any of the major catchy hits to grab me in. Overall it’s very 80s new wave pop but just dated for me. 5.5/10

Sorry one b52’s album was enough for me.

No Rock Lobster. No points 1

finn þetta hvergi