The best three albums by my top fifty favorite rock bands, #40 — The B-52s

I’m returning to my top 50 favorite rock bands. In this video series, I’m identifying the best three albums by each band. This blog is for band #40 — The B-52s.

Criteria for selecting the best three albums

First, the band must have released more than three albums. The B-52s have been around for decades — no issue. Second, greatest hits albums are permitted. You’ll see one today. Third — no live albums. The B-52s have released a fair amount of live albums and some of them are worth a listen.

The third-best album by this band is Time Capsule

The third-best B-52s album is called Time Capsule. This is a greatest hits compilation that covers most of the early decades of this band. Lots of great songs on this album. I will mention here that the B-52s released an album called Funplex in the 2000s. It was actually pretty good in that they return to the original garage band sound. But, that album did not make this list. Give it a listen if you like this band.

The second-best album by The B-52s

The second-best B-52s album is called Cosmic Thing. Back in the 80s, this is the comeback album that really brought this band to national attention with hit songs like “Love Shack”, “Deadbeat Club”, “Roam”, and “Channel Z”. It is a really good album, and therefore worthy of being on the list.

The best album by The B-52s

The best album by this groundbreaking new wave band is their debut self-titled album. It opens with “Planet Claire” which lets you know this is not a normal band. They play some weird stuff. This record includes my favorite B-52 song of all time “Rock Lobster”. What a great party song. If you want to get a taste of this band’s early work here’s the best place to start.

There you have it — the three best B-52s albums. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to my sons.