User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Funplex
by
Funplex Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

  • Summary: The first studio album for the band since 1992's "Good Stuff" was produced by Steve Osborne.

Top Track

Funplex
I'm a pleasure seeker, shoppin' for a new distraction I'm a pleasure seeker, lookin' for some platinum action I'm a pleasure seeker, movin' to the... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    These nutty kids turned DOR nostalgia act make their first album in 16 years their sex album. Eeyew, say today's normal kids. 'Bout time, says anybody old enough to know that one lure of the flesh is that it's always decaying.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    That material is sometimes far too automatic for its own good--see 'Deviant Ingredient,' which is as trite as its title portends. But on 'Eyes Wide Open' and the lustrous 'Juliet Of The Spirits,' a Pierson/Wilson song as strong as any they've done in mystic mode, the songs are up to the legend, and should sound as good at the B-52s' joyous shows.
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    There may be nothing on here Funplex that will challenge the likes of Rock Lobster or Love Shack, but Funplex is a consistently brilliant party album from a band that knows the value in simply having a good time.
  4. Dot Music
    70
    Listen to the B-52s first studio album in 16 years and within ten seconds it's like the 21st century never happened. They sound just the same. [...] And it's a delight.
  5. AllMusic
    60
    Nothing here is as gripping or as perfect as "Rock Lobster," "Private Idaho," or "Love Shack," and the songs that are borderline filler get pushed into one big forgettable lump towards the end of the album.
  6. NOW Magazine
    60
    So instead of rehashing Cosmic Thing for an ill-fated comeback banking on nostalgia, guitarist Keith Strickland learned Pro Tools, bought some electro records and voila: the B-52’s have a contemporary dance-rock record. Startlingly, this works.
  7. Paste Magazine
    20
    Funplex never swings, shimmies or threatens a disco whistle. Instead it feels like a studio-centric attempt to approximate current dance music, which is strange, because nothing here feels particularly current.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. JamesK.
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    Just so so so much better than we had any right to expect after 16 years away. For my money it's better than anything they've done Just so so so much better than we had any right to expect after 16 years away. For my money it's better than anything they've done since Wild Planet. If you don't like the B-52s just deal with it and move on. If you do like them you'll love this. BTW it's great to have Cindy back!… Collapse
  2. RonT.
    Mar 29, 2008
    10
    Funplex is just awesome! The hardcore fanbase, those of us who have followed the band since 1978, absolutely love this album by almost 10-1! Funplex is just awesome! The hardcore fanbase, those of us who have followed the band since 1978, absolutely love this album by almost 10-1! That says alot after a 16 year recording hiatus. Metacritic score of 60 something is absolutely off base!… Expand
  4. IgorC.
    Mar 26, 2008
    10
    This is an excellent come back for the B-52's! So much positive and fun energy throughout the album!
  5. SeanE.
    Mar 30, 2008
    10
    The B-52s have created an album that sounds like both the history and future of rock and roll, and still they sound like no one else. Funplex The B-52s have created an album that sounds like both the history and future of rock and roll, and still they sound like no one else. Funplex is simply brilliant.… Expand
  6. NeilL.
    Mar 25, 2008
    9
    Wow, this CD is absolutely 100% awesome. I'm glad I purchased it on the day of its release. The B-52's sound revitalized and as Wow, this CD is absolutely 100% awesome. I'm glad I purchased it on the day of its release. The B-52's sound revitalized and as great as they always have. This is a really fun record. I can tell already that I'll be listening to this album for months - all the way into the heart of the summer.… Expand
  7. DerekG.
    Mar 31, 2008
    9
    Despite a couple of weak tracks, overall it's a fantastic album. Although I don't know what kind of studio wizardry could make Despite a couple of weak tracks, overall it's a fantastic album. Although I don't know what kind of studio wizardry could make Cindy sound so young.… Expand
  8. NickW.
    Mar 25, 2008
    6
    The title track is subtle in it's subversity, where by the end you get an ultimate meltdown of a type: 'I'm looking for love, The title track is subtle in it's subversity, where by the end you get an ultimate meltdown of a type: 'I'm looking for love, media overload, confusion, I need drugs'. Beautifully disappointed, yet socially adroit once you get past the loud rock hooks. Then, there are some tunes that take a stab at the modern 'neu wave' synth/proto punk rock for safety. Kudos for having Steve Oborne on board--I loved his work with curve and doves. His work is not to be ignored, but the band sounds not as if they phoned in their performances, but as if they e-mailed them. When it comes to the B-52's I don't want them reaching for an audience, I just want them to 'tell it like it t-i is'.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2008