Pop Culture Buzz

THE B-52’s - “FUNPLEX”

GRADE: B

Before “The Scissor Sisters” the B-52’s were the only other band to fuse gay culture, fun lyrics and snazzy guitar driven pop tunes onto the music scene. The B-52’s impression on other New Wave pop bands in the early 80’s was unmistakable. Their massive hits “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack” have become karaoke and wedding reception staples on their own.

On their new album the B-52’s stay true to their fun familiar formula of terrific dance worthy harmonies. The title track “Funplex” and “Hot Corner” are the stand out party tracks on this record. “Eyes Wide Open”, “Love in the Year 3000″ and “Dancing Now” bring the B-52’s hyper sound up to date with pulsating electro beats.

Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson’s harmonies are just as crisp and fresh as they have ever been. Listening to “Deviant Ingredient” made me realize that too many modern rock bands take them selves too seriously these days. Most of the tracks on this disc cater to the silly party animal in all of us.

Although “Funplex” doesn’t do much to reinvent the B-52’s sound, it does remind me that their fresh exuberant party sound is sorely missed in music. “Funplex” is what it is, a great party album with some hilariously over the top lyrics that will make you laugh while shaking your ass.

Funplex

R.E.M. - “ACCELERATE”

GRADE: A

My last truly favorite R.E.M. album was their hefty hard rocking CD titled “Monster” from the mid-90’s. R.E.M. have released a handful of albums since then that have never really connected well with fans and critics. Their ability to release a couple of some what catchy singles from those albums wasn’t enough to continue the massive success of their major hits “Out of Time” and “Automatic for the People.”

With their new CD “Accelerate” R.E.M. have finally put out an old school R.E.M. album chock full of familiar yet new sounding material that blows away all of the music they’ve made in the past 10 years. Finally Michael Stipe has gotten back in touch with his inner song writing genius. The instantly catchy and gorgeous sounding first single “Supernatural Superserious” is Stipe back on top of his game. The instant favorite “Hollow Man” is Stipe at his most exposed and restrained.

“I’m Gonna DJ” is a fierce and pointed song that makes me fall in love with R.E.M. all over again. The tracks “Mr. Richard”, “Accelerate” and “Man Sized Wreath” both have a great ferocious yet melodic guitar sound that is reminiscent of songs from “Monster”. The softer tracks “Houston” and “Until The Day Is Done” sound as if they were plucked from their masterpiece “Automatic for the People.”

“Accelerate” is the album R.E.M. fans have been waiting for years. It redefines this group as the true rock innovators that they are. Nearly 30 years since their career started R.E.M. has thrown their hat back into the ring as classic masters of Rock n Roll. With very little to complain about, “Accelerate” is already one of 2008’s best albums.

REM - Supernatural Superserious

MOBY - “LAST NIGHT”

GRADE: A

Thank god Moby went back to his dance floor roots and put out a new dance CD with “Last Night”. I am a huge Moby fan but his last two TV commercial friendly CD’s left me longing for the innovative raver I fell in love with back in the early 90’s. With “Last Night” Moby has decided to relax and get down and the result is a fantastic electronic album full of night club ready dance songs.

Listening to the mind blowing “Ooh Yeah” and the awesome first single “Disco Lies” I am already craving the numerous remixes that will be made. The sexy cool beats of “I Love To Move In Here” and “2.57 Zero” disprove all the haters that claim Moby can’t make funky ass shaking tracks with a hard edge worthy of underground parties anymore.

“Everyday is 1989″ and “The Stars” sound as if Moby stepped into a time machine and came out with a couple missing gems from his groundbreaking and monumental disc “Everything Is Wrong.” The build up and chorus on “Sweet Apocalypse” will have old school ravers reaching for their glow sticks and dancing to the wicked beats.

“Live For Tomorrow” is the most dramatic and exciting song on this modern masterpiece. Moby uses his old tricks and comes up with new sounds that cement electronic music as the important medium it is. The operatic arrangements and swelling sounds on “Last Night’ propel electro music into a new and deserving place in pop music.

Moby - Disco Lies