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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wild Planet

The B-52's

1980

Wild Planet
Album Summary

This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.

Wild Planet is the second studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released in 1980 by Warner Bros. Records. As with their first album, the B-52's traveled to Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas to record Wild Planet. Several of the songs from the album had been concert staples since 1978. The band did not record them for their first album, knowing that performing the tracks live would make fans look forward to it. Film director Gus Van Sant later referred to the song "Private Idaho" in the title of his 1991 film My Own Private Idaho and thanked the band in the film's credits, although he did not seek approval from the band to use it.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.2

Votes

70

Genres

  • New Wave

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Reviews

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Jun 10 2024
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4

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.

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Jun 25 2024
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5

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.

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Jul 03 2024
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4

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.

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Jun 21 2024
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3

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.

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Jun 08 2024
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2

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.

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Jun 09 2024
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1

The most annoying voices in musical history

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Aug 20 2024
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5

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

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Jun 09 2024
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4

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

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Jun 10 2024
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4

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.

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Jun 10 2024
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4

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

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Jul 26 2024
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4

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

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Jul 28 2024
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4

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

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Jun 09 2024
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3

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

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Jun 10 2024
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3

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.

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Jul 12 2024
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3

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

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Aug 04 2024
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3

High energy and fun, feels a little novelty. 3.3

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Aug 23 2024
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3

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

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Sep 05 2024
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3

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

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Jun 10 2024
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2

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.

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Jun 10 2024
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2

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.

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