The B-52's (album)
The B-52's is the eponymous debut album by the Athens, Georgia-based New Wave rock band The B-52's. The kitschy lyrics and mood, and the hook-laden harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who went on to release several chart-topping singles. The album cover was designed by Tony Wright (credited as Sue Ab Surd).
The B-52's peaked at number 59 on the Billboard 200[1] and "Rock Lobster" reached number 56 on the Hot 100[2]. In 2003, the television network VH1 named The B-52's the 99th greatest album of all time. Shortly before his death, John Lennon said he enjoyed the album.[3] In his 1995 book, The Alternative Music Almanac, Alan Cross placed the album ninth on the list of 10 Classic Alternative Albums. In 2003, the album was ranked number 152[4] on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Reception
Critical reception for The B-52's was generally favorable; critics praised the album's kitschy lyrics and party atmosphere.[5][9]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by The B-52's, except where noted.
| Writer(s) |
Lead vocals |
| 1. |
"Lava" |
|
Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson |
4:54 |
| 2. |
"There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon)" |
|
Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson |
4:54 |
| 3. |
"Hero Worship" |
Robert Waldrop, R. Wilson |
C. Wilson |
4:07 |
| 4. |
"6060-842" |
|
Pierson, Schneider, C. Wilson |
2:48 |
| 5. |
"Downtown" (Petula Clark cover, 1964) |
Tony Hatch |
Pierson, C. Wilson |
2:57 |
|
Total length:
|
39:14 |
Personnel
- Fred Schneider – cowbell, toy piano, keyboard bass, Vocals, walkie talkie
- Kate Pierson – organ, guitar, keyboard bass, vocals
- Keith Strickland – percussion, drums, "Planet Claire" sounds
- Cindy Wilson – guitar, bongos, tambourine, vocals
- Ricky Wilson – guitar, smoke alarm
Chart performance
Album
Singles
Certifications
| Organization |
Level |
Date |
| RIAA – U.S. |
Gold |
November 11, 1980 |
| RIAA – U.S. |
Platinum |
May 13, 1986 |
References
- ^ a b The B-52's > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums at Allmusic. Retrieved 16 October 2004.
- ^ a b c The B-52's > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles at Allmusic. Retrieved 16 October 2004.
- ^ imdb.com
- ^ Levy, Joe; Steven Van Zandt (2006) [2005]. "152 | The B-52's - The B-52's". Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (3rd ed.). London: Turnaround. ISBN 1932958614. OCLC 70672814. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/the-b-52s-the-b-52s-19691231. Retrieved 8 Aug 2011.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen. The B-52's The B-52's > Review at Allmusic. Retrieved 22 March 2004.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "The B-52's: The B-52's". Robert Christgau. http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=201. Retrieved 31 March 2006.
- ^ Blashill, Pat (October 16, 2003). "The B-52's The B-52's > Review". Rolling Stone (933). Archived from the original on 20 Jun 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070602150125/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/theb52s/albums/album/198700/review/5942002. Retrieved 22 Mar 2004.
- ^ Considine, J.D. (2004). "The B-52's". In Brackett, Nathan with Hoard, Christian. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. London: Fireside. pp. 67–68. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. http://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&lpg=PA68&vq=b-52's&pg=PA67#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Carson, Tom (September 20, 1979). "The B-52's: The B-52's Music Reviews". Rolling Stone (300). Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080621121307/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/theb52s/albums/album/198700/review/5942002. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
- ^ Mancini is credited as a co-author of "Planet Claire" on reissues of the album due to the song's use of the bass line from Mancini's "Peter Gunn."
External links