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The B-52s were an edgy band in 1979. But in the ten years after recording "Rock Lobster," the young singers had been through a lot of changes. 1985 saw the death of Ricky Wilson, the band's drummer (the older brother of singer Cindy Wilson) at the age of 32. What would emerge from their recording sessions in 1989?

"Cosmic Thing" remains one of my favorite B-52s albums - and it's partly because of the song "Deadbeat Club." The reunited band-members had recorded their first track with earnest poignancy. As its meandering vocals reminisce about a caffeine buzz and the jukebox at a favorite bar, the real message lingers in its slow, nostalgic melody. The band confirmed that its lyrics are about their early days together in Athens, Georgia, and the chorus drifts to a joyful promise that "We'll dance in the garden in torn sheets in the rain."

It follows a lazy song about a hot day in Georgia called "Dry County," recreating those moments when you "sit on the porch and swing." And the next song was based on a cabin where singer Kate Pierson lived, and describes "cruising down the Atlanta highway" in a giant Chrysler. But the funky beat of "Love Shack" made it a hit single, reaching #3 on the U.S. charts. This would be a career milestone for the B-52's, but it also marks a kind of personal victory. The band's lyrics had turned to their personal memories, and they'd been enthusiastically embraced by their audience.

There's even something introspective about the song "Roam." It's ostensibly a love song, arguing that the soaring emotion is like flying around the world. But it's got strange harmonies and vocals that are almost angsty, suggesting the strangeness of traveling (or maybe the anguish of not being able to!) The mysterious track followed its thoughtful predecessor, reaching #3 on the U.S. charts. Soon even the album had gone to #4 (and #1 in Australia) - becoming their best-selling record ever.

The band had finally found themselves, and on "Cosmic Thing," they kept their trademark sound while finding something original to do with it. There's new chords in a peppy track called "Junebug" - but it also delivers an exciting and fresh melody. The mod vocals of "Channel Z" hide a political message about the world's need to change. "Topaz" is a graceful love song where the vocals could actually be characterized as "pretty."

And appropriately, the album ends with a surf guitar solo that's called "Follow Your Bliss."

Learn more about this author, Moe Zilla.
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