Whammy! (album)

Whammy! (album)
Name	Whammy!
Artist	The B-52's
Cover	Whammy! (album).jpg
Released	April 1983
Recorded	1982–1983
Studio	Long View Farm (North Brookfield, Massachusetts), Sigma Sound (New York City)
Genre	New wave, dance-rock
Length	35:20
Label	Warner Bros. Records
Producer	Steven Stanley, Rhett Davies
Prev title	Mesopotamia
Prev year	1982
Next title	Bouncing off the Satellites
Next year	1986

Whammy! (album) is the fourth studio album by the American new wave band The B-52's, released in April 1983 by Warner Bros. Records. It marked a significant shift in the band's production, being their first album without founding member Ricky Wilson's direct involvement in the recording process and their first to heavily incorporate drum machines and synthesizers. The album continued the group's signature blend of dance-rock, quirky lyrics, and surreal humor, while embracing the emerging MIDI technology of the early 1980s. Despite mixed initial reviews, the record produced several notable singles and has since been reappraised as a pivotal work in the band's discography.

Background and recording

Following the release of their 1982 EP ''Mesopotamia'', produced by David Byrne of Talking Heads, The B-52's sought a fresh direction. The sessions for Whammy! commenced in late 1982, primarily at Long View Farm in Massachusetts and later at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City. A major change was the departure of guitarist Ricky Wilson, who was dealing with personal issues; his parts were initially programmed using LinnDrum machines and Oberheim synthesizers by co-producer Steven Stanley. This technological pivot was influenced by the burgeoning synth-pop scene and artists like Yazoo and Depeche Mode. The production was handled by Stanley and Rhett Davies, known for his work with Roxy Music, aiming for a cleaner, more electronic sound distinct from the band's earlier, guitar-driven albums like their debut.

Music and lyrics

The music on Whammy! represents a conscious evolution, blending the band's established new wave and dance-rock foundations with the pervasive electronic textures of the early 1980s. Tracks like "Song for a Future Generation" and "Butterbean" feature intricate drum machine patterns and pulsating synthesizer lines, while retaining the distinctive vocal interplay between Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson. Lyrically, the album continues the group's tradition of surreal, playful narratives, exploring themes of popular culture, science fiction, and absurdist romance. Covers of Yoko Ono's "Don't Worry Kyoko" and The Marathons' "Dry County" are reinterpreted with the band's characteristic exuberance. This fusion of organic energy and synthetic production created a unique soundscape that both reflected and challenged the musical trends of the era.

Release and reception

Upon its April 1983 release, Whammy! received a polarized response from music critics. Publications like Rolling Stone and The New York Times offered mixed assessments, with some praising its adventurous spirit and others critiquing its departure from the band's earlier sound. Commercially, the album performed moderately, reaching number 29 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart and being certified Gold by the RIAA. The singles "Legal Tender" and "Song for a Future Generation" achieved modest success on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and ''Billboard'' Dance Club Songs charts. Over time, critical opinion has softened, with modern reassessments from outlets like AllMusic and Pitchfork recognizing the album's innovative use of technology and its influence on later alternative dance and indie pop acts.

Track listing

All tracks are written by The B-52's, except where noted.

# "Legal Tender" – 3:40 # "Whammy Kiss" – 5:20 # "Song for a Future Generation" – 4:00 # "Butterbean" – 4:14 # "Trism" – 3:23 # "Queen of Las Vegas" – 4:40 # "Don't Worry Kyoko" (Yoko Ono) – 4:55 # "Dry County" (J. R. Bailey, Joey Brooks) – 5:08

Personnel

The B-52's * Fred Schneider – lead vocals, percussion * Kate Pierson – lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar * Cindy Wilson – lead vocals, percussion * Keith Strickland – drum machine programming, electronic percussion, guitar, keyboards

Additional personnel * Steven Stanley – drum machine programming, synthesizer, producer * Rhett Davies – producer, engineer * Tina Weymouth – bass guitar (on "Don't Worry Kyoko") * Chris Frantz – drums (on "Don't Worry Kyoko")

Category:1983 albums Category:The B-52's albums Category:Warner Bros. Records albums