| 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 |
