User Profile
Lee Kelemen
Former jazz, jazz-fusion critic, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Reviews
6
Lists
11
Collection
23
Lee Kelemen's Album Reviews
The B-52s’ most overlooked good album. I like all but one track — something I can say for a precious few albums. I don't understand reviewers' disappointment with it. The newer electronica sounds great, not forced.
Most memorable tracks: "Legal Tender" -- a sweet song about merrily counterfeiting in the basement; "Butter Bean" a *very* danceable track that brings back those high-pitched wobbly screams like those found on "Rock Lobster." It's a recipe in song -- "Pick 'em, hull 'em, put on the steam. That's how we fix butter beans!"
The electronica and lyrics on these songs sometimes channel a science fiction vibe: "Song for a Future Generation" and "Trism" which predicts a future form of public transportation that sounds like a cross between the Jetsons’ vehicles and Star Trek’s teleporter.
"Work that Skirt" is an instrumental that has power to get you up and moving on the floor, even if you're just getting out of bed.
Early versions of “Whammy” contained a Yoko Ono composition, “Don’t Worry”. Later versions don’t (Copyright dispute.)
I bought Whammy shortly after it came out so I got to hear, “Don’t Worry”. My evaluation? It’s repetitive. Don’t worry. You’re not missing much.
Please give these tracks a listen, especially if you've only heard the B-52s' first eponymous album &/or “Love Shack”.
Most memorable tracks: "Legal Tender" -- a sweet song about merrily counterfeiting in the basement; "Butter Bean" a *very* danceable track that brings back those high-pitched wobbly screams like those found on "Rock Lobster." It's a recipe in song -- "Pick 'em, hull 'em, put on the steam. That's how we fix butter beans!"
The electronica and lyrics on these songs sometimes channel a science fiction vibe: "Song for a Future Generation" and "Trism" which predicts a future form of public transportation that sounds like a cross between the Jetsons’ vehicles and Star Trek’s teleporter.
"Work that Skirt" is an instrumental that has power to get you up and moving on the floor, even if you're just getting out of bed.
Early versions of “Whammy” contained a Yoko Ono composition, “Don’t Worry”. Later versions don’t (Copyright dispute.)
I bought Whammy shortly after it came out so I got to hear, “Don’t Worry”. My evaluation? It’s repetitive. Don’t worry. You’re not missing much.
Please give these tracks a listen, especially if you've only heard the B-52s' first eponymous album &/or “Love Shack”.
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