Funplex (album)

Funplex (album)
Name	Funplex
Artist	The B-52's
Released	March 25, 2008
Recorded	2006–2007
Studio	The Clubhouse (Rhinebeck, New York), Tree Sound Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre	New wave, dance-rock
Length	42:20
Label	Astralwerks
Producer	Steve Osborne
Prev title	Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology
Prev year	2002

Funplex (album) is the seventh and final studio album by the American new wave band The B-52's. Released in 2008, it marked the group's first album of original material in sixteen years, following 1992's ''Good Stuff''. Produced by Steve Osborne, the album blends the band's signature quirky dance-rock sound with modern electronic production. Upon release, Funplex was met with positive reviews and achieved commercial success, debuting at number 11 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.

Background and recording

Following a lengthy hiatus from recording original material, The B-52's began writing new songs in the early 2000s, inspired by their energetic live performances on tours like the Lollapalooza festival. The core trio of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson collaborated with longtime guitarist Keith Strickland on the initial demos. The band enlisted British producer Steve Osborne, known for his work with New Order and Doves, to help modernize their sound. Primary recording took place at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, New York, and Tree Sound Studios in the band's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, with additional sessions at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

Composition and themes

Musically, Funplex is characterized by a driving, synth-heavy dance-rock and electropop sound, heavily utilizing drum machines and sequencers crafted by Keith Strickland and Steve Osborne. The album's lyrical content continues the band's tradition of surreal, humorous observations on modern life, consumer culture, and nightlife, as exemplified in tracks like "Pump" and "Ultraviolet." Tracks such as "Hot Corner" and "Love in the Year 3000" showcase the iconic call-and-response vocal interplay between Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson. The sonic palette draws clear inspiration from contemporary electronic dance music while retaining the quirky, retro-futuristic aesthetic the group pioneered on earlier albums like ''Wild Planet''.

Release and promotion

The album was released on March 25, 2008, through the EMI-owned label Astralwerks. Lead single "Funplex" was made available for digital download in February 2008, accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Mills. The band embarked on an extensive international tour, including major appearances at Coachella and Bonnaroo, to promote the record. A special edition included a bonus DVD featuring a documentary on the album's making and live performances from Austin City Limits.

Critical reception

Funplex received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Publications like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly praised the album's energetic return to form and seamless blend of classic B-52's motifs with modern production. Review aggregator Metacritic assigned the album a normalized score of 72 based on 24 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Some criticism was directed at its relatively short length and perceived lyrical simplicity, but overall, it was hailed as a successful comeback. The album earned the band a nomination for Best Recording Package at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Track listing

All tracks are written by The B-52's (Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland). # "Pump" – 4:54 # "Hot Corner" – 4:21 # "Ultraviolet" – 4:15 # "Juliet of the Spirits" – 5:00 # "Funplex" – 4:07 # "Eyes Wide Open" – 4:48 # "Love in the Year 3000" – 4:24 # "Deviant Ingredient" – 5:45 # "Too Much to Think About" – 4:46

Personnel

The B-52's * Fred Schneider – lead and backing vocals * Kate Pierson – lead and backing vocals, keyboards * Cindy Wilson – lead and backing vocals, percussion * Keith Strickland – guitars, keyboards, drum programming Additional musicians * Paul Gordon – additional keyboards, programming * Steve Osborne – bass, keyboards, programming, percussion * Tracy Wormworth – bass on "Juliet of the Spirits" * Sterling Campbell – live drums Technical personnel * Steve Osborne – production, mixing, engineering * Bob Ludwig – mastering at Gateway Mastering * Tommy Steele – art direction, design * Matthew Salacuse – photography

Category:2008 albums Category:The B-52's albums Category:Astralwerks albums Category:Albums produced by Steve Osborne