Time Capsule: Songs For A Future Generation

B-52's

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 26, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 26, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B0000062W1
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,775 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Planet Claire

2. 52 Girls

3. Rock Lobster

4. Party Out of Bounds

5. Strobe Light

6. Private Idaho

7. Quiche Lorraine

8. Mesopotamia

9. Song for a Future Generation

10. Summer of Love [Original Unreleased Mix][#] - The B-52's

11. Channel Z

12. Deadbeat Club

13. Love Shack

14. Roam

15. Good Stuff

16. Is That You Mo-Dean?

17. Debbie

18. Hallucinating Pluto

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Taken in one concentrated best-of dose, it becomes evident what a coup the B-52's pulled off when they turned their own concentrated craziness into genuine hits. This is some of the weirdest stuff ever to make the charts, much less be loved by the masses. It's all here though--the mad surf guitar of Ricky Wilson (and later Keith Strickland), the banshee wails of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, and, of course, the, um, well, let's say vocalizing of freaky Fred Schneider. "Party out of Bounds" with a "Rock Lobster" on "Planet Claire," or "Roam" over to the "Love Shack" in "Private Idaho." Whatever you do in the B-52's universe will at least be good, clean, perverse fun. Contains two new songs. --Michael Ruby

Entertainment Weekly

The two new songs are fine, but it's obvious that for the B-52's the future ain't what it used to be.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hair Today, Here Tomorrow, June 9, 2006

By	El Lagarto (Ambler, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Every once in a very long while a thoroughly delightful group appears out of nowhere with something new to say and a distinct, immediately identifiable way of saying it. Such is the case with the B-52's who pull off a nearly impossible trick and make it look easy. For starters, they are musically intoxicating and certainly can't be topped for dance party appeal. The vocal blend of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson is a lovely, natural fit, and Fred Schneider's droll, spoken word additions provide an effective and often hilarious counterpoint. Keith Strickland knows that a band like this needs basic, pure drumming, nothing flashy, and he delivers. The late, lamented Ricky Wilson provided great retro surf guitar, right on time and target. The frequent use of left-field sound effects sprinkles the songs with splendid surprises.

The song writing, especially lyrics, is always slightly cracked and completely charming. Catchy tunes devoted to poorly planned parties, ruins in Mesopotamia, and making love in strobe light are delivered without irony; no matter how absurd the subject it all seems to make sense when the B-52's do it. As good as these individual contributions are, it is the collective vibe and sensibility that sends this group over the top, their Own, Private I Don't Know is recognizable from 100 paces.

While several anthology CDs are currently available, this one shines most brightly. I was considering the 2-CD compilation, Nude On The Moon, but decided against it after learning about the alternate mixes, etc. Time Capsule: Songs For A Future Generation has the absolute requisite B-52's hits you can't live without, and plenty more besides. Nice to know that future generations will have quality neo-absurdist surf-guitar dance party music to enjoy - they'll need it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Collection of Whammies, January 18, 2000

By	Alf Kremer (Denver CO) - See all my reviews

A distillation of the B-52's oeuvre into one small CD. Whenever I listen to best-of CD's, however, I feel the need to put on my nit-picking hat - and there's a few nits worth picking. Their second album WILD PLANET seems to get undue attention (four tracks?) while the good album BOUNCING OFF THE SATELLITES doesn't get any ("Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland" would've fit in very well here). And I was somewhat dismayed to see that "Legal Tender" didn't make the cut, either. The two new tracks are decent but forgettable. For those new to B-52-land, however, this is probably the best place to begin.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funky and Stylish, June 20, 1999

By A Customer

The B-52's were formed 6 years before I was born, but I was aware of their presence growing up, thanks to "Roam", but it wasn't until last year when this album came out that I realised how funky they really are. I can truly say that I have 18 more favorite songs than I did before I heard Time Capsule. I hope the B-52's make a whole new album once Cindy Wilson has finished making babies, but in the meantime I am looking forward to hearing two of their other albums, Wild Planet and Mesopotamia. I really like the vocal style of Kate Pierson, and I think she is brilliant on "Good Stuff". Fred Schneider has a kind of weird voice but it is really effective on "Quiche Lorraine". I think one of the resons the B-52's are so enduring is that they use their strengths instead of trying to be like something else. My favorite tracks are "Rock Lobster", "Strobelight", Mesopotamia" and "Debbie". The one song that took me a long time to get to like was "Song for a Future Generation", but I got there in the end. Having listened to their other stuff, I feel that "Dance this Mess Around" should have been included, but what are you going to do? Another good point about Time Capsule is that it has one of the most stylish sleeve designs ever, and'll look great in anyone's collection.