The B-52's - The B-52's (CD 1990)

Although the Whammy! LP is possibly the best album by The B-52's, containing their most consistent set of songs, The B's first LP is a classic of the post-punk era. The music is much more guitar-based than on later records, with the late, great Ricky Wilson's inimitable four-stringed surf-punk part-lead, part-rhythm chunky sounds taking center-stage on most of the album's songs.

They really did create their own sound with this LP, which peaked on Whammy!, and was bridged by the brilliant Wild Planet record - all three albums are really essential for anyone with a serious interest in rock and pop music. The sound here is angular, choppy and strange, but always wonderfully fun and danceable.

Due to "Rock Lobster", along with their great dress-sense, The B-52's have rarely been taken seriously by "serious" rock critics, a little bit like their contemporaries Devo, and have often been seen as little more than a novelty act with a couple of great hit singles. And the inferior later Ricky-less version's "Love Shack" did little to change that perspective; in fact it probably compounded it. But that's a hugely unfair perspective and this album, along with Whammy! should dispel that myth - definitely worth buying if you're interested in great, influential music from the late-70's and 80's.