B-52's, The "Wild Planet" LP (1980)

Details: The B-52's 1980 album, Wild Planet, released on Warner Bros. Records. Does not have original turquoise and black paw-print paper sleeve for record. Record and Cover only. Cover shows definite wear (shelf/edge/corner) and some wearing away on parts of the cover. Noticeable wear on record as well (VG/VG+).

Description: "From designing their own costumes to producing their own records (with co-producer Rhett Davies, who had cut his teeth with other experimental acts like Brian Eno, Genesis, and Roxy Music), The B-52s embodied punk’s DIY spirit. Utilizing some of the tracks intended for their debut, and keeping Davies on board from that record, ensured there would be a clear sense of consistency between the two albums, even as Wild Planet advanced the group’s campy garage rock sound. Without sacrificing their individualist style, the tighter playing, punchier hooks, zany energy, and absurdist humor remained, just slightly more nuanced to reflect a more-seasoned band.

Five months after they released Wild Planet, on August 27, 1980, the band made their television debut on Saturday Night Live, raising their profile considerably from a cult act to the poster group for the American new wave. Wild Planet hit the Top 20 album charts in the U.S. and U.K., but larger mainstream success was still a few records away. Not arty enough for college radio, nor sexy enough for the Top 40, The B-52s occupied their own planet. It would take until 1989’s “Love Shack” for them to crack the Billboard Hot 100.

Their reputation as a singles band persists to this day, but for those looking to explore The B-52s Technicolor landscape beyond the karaoke hits, Wild Planet is a great place to start."--udiscovermusic

Grade: VG (Cover/Record)

TRACK LISTING SIDE A:

A1. Party Out Of Bounds
A2. Dirty Back Road
A3. Runnin' Around
A4. Give Me Back My Man
A5. Private Idaho

TRACK LISTING SIDE B:

B1. Devil In My Car
B2. Quiche Lorraine
B3. Strobe Light
B4. 53 Miles West Of Venus