Here's the first single. Enjoy. I love it.

http://www.mp3.com/media_player/view...&ptid=&ont_id=

Meh, I don't like the title track. I was afraid it was fonna be electronic-ey dance stuff instead of punk/new wave, and that's what it is. Hopefully the rest of the album doesn't sound like that.

Not jump up and slap you good, but enjoyable background music.

Well, yeah. That's what they said it was going to be from the get go. And why Keith hired New Order producer Steve Osborne. It's classic B's with more electronic. Still has those killer guitar riffs. Just wait until you hear "Pump".

Another new song off the album:

http://smilparse.real.com/showcase/r..._HotCorner.mp3

I like this much more.

Me too! Love that guitar! :rock:

First review that I can find. From Amazon.com. Now I'm very very anxious!

Amazon.com
Like a time capsule, the B-52s' first album in 16 years reanimates that familiar fusion of danceable post-punk and bizarrely conceived songs of the oldest new wave. After sitting out 1992’s Good Stuff, Cindy Wilson returns to the love shack, joining fellow bee-hiver Kate Pierson on mouth-watering vocals and harmonies circa Wild Planet. Colossal hooks jostle relentless rhythms, oddball lyrics, and the outrageous voice of Fred Schneider, who struts like a peacock through this infectious 11-track mix of frolic and frivolity. The songs are inspired by Fellini movies ("Juliet of the Spirits"), Athens, Georgia lore ("Hot Corner"), and the shopping mall ("Funplex"), and thanks to the band’s melody creator, Keith Strickland, they shimmy, shake, and house-quake all night long. Out of the blue and virtually as fun as a party out of bounds, Funplex is a dee-lightful reunion record. --Scott Holter

And just found this:

The B-52's dive into 'Funplex' dates
March 5, 2008 01:03 PM
By Tjames Madison
LiveDaily Contributor
The B-52's have lined up a spring club push behind the forthcoming "Funplex," the band's first new album in more than 16 years.
The venerable New Wave icons, who have been playing together since 1976, will kick off a quick run April 23 in Boston, about a month after the new disc hits stores in late March. The 12-city outing will run through early May, and additional summer dates are expected to follow, according to the band's management. All current dates are below.

Presales for most of the dates begin March 13, with public on-sales beginning March 15. Check the band's official website for more information.

Following the headlining dates, the band will hop on board the 24-city True Colors Tour [ tickets ] with Cyndi Lauper and Rosie O'Donnell, kicking off May 31 in Boston and running into early July. The tour backs lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) causes and looks to get out the vote in that community this fall. More information can be found at the tour's official website.

The B-52's recorded "Funplex," which hits stores March 25, in their native Athens with producer Steve Osborne (New Order, KT Tunstall). The 11-track set features song credits from all of the band's original members: Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland and Cindy Wilson.

"It's loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones, with the beat pumped up to hot pink," Strickland said of the new album in a press release.

The new release is the group's first studio set since 1992's "Good Stuff," which is the band's only album recorded without Wilson. The vocalist returned to the fold in 1998 to record two tracks for the best-of album "Time Capsule."

The album's title track is also the first single from the set. The band shot a music video for the song earlier this month in Los Angeles featuring a cameo by Ru-Paul, who also appeared in the group's video for its 1989 hit "Love Shack."

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
March 2008
28 - Richmond, British Columbia - River Rock Casino Resort
29 - Spokane, WA - Northern Quest Casino

April 2008
11 - Purchase, NY - Purchase College Concert Hall
23 - Boston, MA - Paradise
25 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore at the TLA
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
28 - Detroit, MI - Clutch Cargo's
29 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues

May 2008
1 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
4 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
6 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
7 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
8 - Dixon, CA - State Fair
9 - San Francisco, CA - Venue to be announced
11 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

The B-52's on True Colors Tour w/ Cyndi Lauper

May 2008
31 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion

June 2008
1 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
3 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
4 - Toronto, Ontario - Molson Amphitheatre
6 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods
7 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
9 - Minneapolis, MN - US Bank Theatre at Target Center
10 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
11 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
13 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort Spa & Casino
14 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
16, 17 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
18 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
19 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Frank Sinatra Theatre at Bank Atlantic Center
21 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
22 - Dallas, TX - The Superpages.com Center
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
27 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Casino
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
29 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre

July 2008
1 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theatre
2 - Vancouver, British, Columbia - Deer Lake Park
4 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
5 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

B-52s at Radio City. I am there.

I'm planning on hitting the Alpine, CA Viejas Casino show. They're not only appearing with Cyndi but also Joan Jett. Should be a great show under the stars in the hills outside of San Diego.

Sounds like a very cool show! :banana:

Hmmm... See them at a smaller club venue in April.

Or wait until summer and a nice outdoor concert with Cyndi Lauper.

I think I may go that route.

When I saw the B-52's at the DTE theater, last time, they were on a tour with the Go-Go's and it was a blast of a show. Perfect weather and perfect music.

That should be a very good night.

OK, here's the album in it's entirety. On the AOL listening party. Enjoy:

http://music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds

I listened to the whole thing and it just doesn't do much for me. They sound great but the songwriting just isn't there for me. I always think of the B-52's as great because of the unique vocals and also the interesting, quirky, and unique songwriting. On Funplex, if it wasn't for the vocals, you wouldn't know it is a B-52's album. Most of them sound like generic dance songs that happen to be sung by the members of B-52's. I was really hoping to like this. Oh well. At least I like the new album by the other Athens band.

Hmm. Well, I loved it. I never listened to this band for their lyrics. But for the vocals and great guitar playing and hooks. Which this album has in spades. "Pump" is atomic.

I never listened to them for lyrics either. And I disagree about the guitar and hooks. I don't find much of either. There are about 3 songs that have a significant guitar lick, but the lick in each of them is very similar to the others.

You said the songwriting wasn't there for you. That's why I said I don't listen to this band for the lyrics. And sorry, but I couldn't disagree with you more. There are plenty of guitar licks throughout. It's a fun album (no pun). Sure, not their best. But after all these years, I'm very very pleased.

Lyrics are only one facet of songwriting, along with writing the music, which involves many things..

for any fans / collectors that are intersted... if you order the cd from FYE or NEWBURY comics online, you get a free autographed booklet!

with newbury, they send you the autographed booklet with the cd...

with fye, you get the cd first then the autographed booklet ships 5-6 weeks later...

On first listen I was surprised how average it sounded. Seems like this could have come out 10 years ago and you wouldn't know any better (that's not a positive comment). I'll have to listen a few more times, but I was definitely hoping for something with a little less sheen.

Heads up! If you purchase Funplex from Target, it comes with an exclusive 5 track bonus cd of "classic" live tracks. Couldn't find a tracklisting anywhere. They're selling it for 11.98, otherwise the cheapest appears to be Circuit City for $8.99. Think I'll pay the extra for the live stuff.

That would be cool. My order from Amazon is already on it's way. Oh well. I like Newbury Comics. I've ordered from them before and they always ship fast.

I agree. A couple extra bucks to get a bonus live CD which is in limited print is worth it all the way. I went ahead and purchased it at Target because of this.

I picked up the album today (well, technically yesterday now). It's totally awesome IMHO. I'm really glad to have a new B-52's album to enjoy... and just in time for the summer! :)

Finally got to listen to the album properly yesterday. In my car and on my home stereo. Both BLASTED. And this is one really good album. Sure, like anything that the B-52's have released, there are one or two throw away/filler songs. But over all, I'm very happy and pleased. It's just so much fun to listen to. It just makes me smile the whole time. Personally, I think the stand out tracks are "Eyes Wide Open" and "Pump". Thumbs way up. And welcome back guys. Please don't wait another 16 years to do another proper album.