Funplex

Infobox Album
Name = Funplex
Type = album
Artist = The B-52's


Released = March 25, 2008
Recorded = 2006, 2007
Genre = New Wave
Length =
Label = Astralwerks
Producer = Steve Osborne, The B-52's
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gjfyxzqhldje link]
* ArtistDirect Rating|4|5 [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,4518265,00.html#review link]
* BBC Music (favorable) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/xjvr/ link]
* "Billboard" (Positive) [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ie4bd24ee9875ae56df36e113c4f8c319 link]
* "Blender" Rating|3|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5006 link]
* [http://consequenceofsound.net Consequence Of Sound] (A-) [http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/04/03/album-review-funplex/ link]
* "Crawdaddy!" (favorable) [http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/Article.aspx?id=6184 link]
* "Digital Spy" Rating|3|5 [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a93381/the-b-52s-funplex.html link]
* "Entertainment Weekly" B+ [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20185459,00.html link]
* Pitchfork Media (6.6/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49450-funplex link]
* PopMatters rating-10|7 [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/55895/the-b-52s-funplex/ link]
* "Slant" Rating|3|5 [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1328 link]
* The Second Supper [http://secondsupper.com/Music/Reviews/Article.aspx?ArticleID=405 link]
* "Spin" Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.spin.com/reviews/b-52s-funplex-astralwerks link]
*"The Independent" Rating|4|5 [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-b52s-funplex-emi-798610.html link]
Last album = ""
(2002)
This album = "Funplex"
(2008)
Next album =

"Funplex" is the eighth studio album by The B-52's, recorded during 2006 and 2007. The album was released on March 25, 2008. [ [http://www.theb52s.com/news.html Release Date] ]

It is the first album of new material that the group has released since "Good Stuff" in 1992, although the band did record two new songs for their 1998 compilation album "".

The album came as a result of the band's renewed touring, and a feeling that they needed something new to perform. Guitarist Keith Strickland was inspired to create an updated sound for the band when listening to the New Order album "Get Ready" and hired producer Steve Osborne as a result. A more modern use of electronica production is the most distinct mark of the band's new sound.

The first single from the album was released digitally on 29 January 2008, and is the title track, "Funplex". A music video was filmed in West Hollywood on March 1, 2008 and featured a cameo appearance by RuPaul who appeared in the video for "Love Shack". [ [http://www.rupaul.com/news/2008/03/cosmic-thing.html 1] ]

Exclusive, limited-edition autographed copies were offered by Newbury Comics and FYE, and a special limited-edition double-disc set of "Funplex" is available only at Target stores in the U.S. The bonus disc features five live tracks recorded at the band's November 16, 2007 concert at the Roxy in Los Angeles. [ [http://www.astralwerks.com/b-52s/default.asp The B-52s - Funplex ] ] Two additional live tracks from that same concert are available exclusively on iTunes.

"Funplex" debuted at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 30,000 copies in its first week. [Katie Hasty, [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003784138 "Day26 Upends Danity Kane To Debut At No. 1"] , Billboard.com, April 2, 2008.]

The second single from the album will be "Juliet of the Spirits".

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by the B-52's; music by Keith Strickland, lyrics and melodies by Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson. [Album liner notes]
#"Pump" – 4:53
#"Hot Corner" – 3:24
#"Ultraviolet" – 4:25
#"Juliet of the Spirits" – 4:22
#"Funplex" – 4:07
#"Eyes Wide Open" – 5:35
#"Love in the Year 3000" – 4:14
#"Deviant Ingredient" – 4:50
#"Too Much to Think About" – 3:47
#"Dancing Now" – 4:02
#"Keep This Party Going" – 4:31

Bonus tracks

*iTunes-exclusive deluxe version
#

"Private Idaho" (Live at the Roxy) – 4:00
#"Planet Claire" (Live at the Roxy) – 5:28
*Target-exclusive bonus CD: "Live at the Roxy in L.A."
#"Party out of Bounds" – 3:45
#"Channel Z" – 5:26
#"Roam" – 5:13
#"Strobe Light" – 4:38
#"Rock Lobster" – 5:33

Personnel

*Fred Schneider - vocals
*Kate Pierson - vocals
*Keith Strickland - guitar, programming, keyboards
*Cindy Wilson - vocals
*Tracy Wormworth - bass
*Sterling Campbell - drums

Production

*Producers: Steve Osborne

Chart performance

Album

ingles

References