Cosmic Thing

by The B-52s

Overview

Many observers were prepared to write off the B-52's after the release of Bouncing Off the Satellites. Granted, the album was completed in the wake of Ricky Wilson's death, but the group appeared bereft of new musical ideas and were sounding rather stale. In other words, the last thing anyone expected was a first-class return to form, which is what they got with Cosmic Thing. Working with producers Don Was and Nile Rodgers, the B-52's updated their sound with shiny new surfaces and deep, funky grooves -- it was the same basic pattern as before, only refurbished and contemporized. Just as importantly, they had their best set of songs since at least Wild Planet, possibly since their debut. "Cosmic Thing" and "Channel Z" were great up-tempo rockers; "Roam" had a groovy beat blessed with a great Cindy Wilson vocal; and "Deadbeat Club" was one of their rare successful reflective numbers. Then there was "Love Shack," an irresistible dance number with delightfully silly lyrics and hooks as big as a whale that unbelievably gave the group a long-awaited Top Ten hit. The thing is, Cosmic Thing would already have been considered a triumphant return without its commercial success. The big sales were just the icing on the cake. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/06/1989
Label:	Reprise
UPC:	0075992585422

Tracks

1. Cosmic Thing
2. Dry County
3. Deadbeat Club
4. Love Shack
5. Junebug
6. Roam
7. Bushfire
8. Channel Z
9. Topaz
10. Follow Your Bliss

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The B-52s   Primary Artist
Uptown Horns   Guest Artist
Steve Ferrone   Guest Artist,Drums
Sara Lee   Guest Artist,Bass,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Nile Rodgers   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Richard Hilton   Vocals (Background),Keyboards
Philippe Saisse   Keyboards
Tom Mandel   Keyboards
Tommy Mandel   Keyboards
Sonny Emory   Drums
Bob Funk   Horn
Pat Irwin   Keyboards
Carl Beatty   Horn
Leroy Clouden   Drums
Chris Cioe   Horn
Tracy Wormworth   Bass
Keith Strickland   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Fred Schneider   Vocals (Background),Vocals,Percussion
Charley Drayton   Drums
Charlie Drayton   Drums
Kate Pierson   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Paul Literal   Horn
Arno Hecht   Horn
Amo Hecht   Horn
Cindy Wilson   Vocals
Zachary Alford   Drums

Technical Credits

Dave Cook   Engineer
Richard Hilton   Programming,Producer
Nile Rodgers   Mixing,Producer
Tom Durack   Mixing,Engineer
David Cook   Engineer
Don Was   Producer
Alpana Bawa   Clothing/Wardrobe
Budd Tunick   Production Manager
Cynthia Wilson   Composer
Keith Freedman   Engineer,Second Engineer
Jeremy Ayers   Composer,Lyricist
Martin Kunitz   Assistant Engineer
The B-52s   Composer,Lyricist
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Robert Waldrop   Composer
Kate Pierson   Composer,Lyricist
Ed Korengo   Mixing Assistant
Ed Brooks   Engineer,Second Engineer
Fred Schneider   Composer,Lyricist
Tom Durak   Mixing,Engineer
Ricky Wilson   Composer,Lyricist,Composer
Paul Argelli   Engineer,Second Engineer
Keith Strickland   Composer,Lyricist
Cindy Wilson   Composer,Lyricist
Catherine Pierson   Composer
Patrick Dillett   Engineer,Second Engineer