I must admit that I am a huge fan of greatest hits collections. The
]only problem I usually have, is that a lot of the songs that are "great" to
me, aren't included on the compilations put out by my favorite bands. With this release from the B-52's, the only complaint I have is that "Dance This Mess Around" isn't on it. BUT, when a band has this many fantastic songs to pick from, you have to stop somewhere. Can you tell I'm a big fan?

"Time Capsule" includes songs from each and every album, and two brand-new tracks, with Cindy Wilson rejoining the band. The songs are arranged chronologically, starting with songs from the first album. "Planet Claire," "52 Girls," and, of course, "Rock Lobster." This is music that I grew up on, and I can't get enough.

I know the arguments these days. That bands are putting together greatest hits collections, coming up with one or two new songs, and then raking in bucks. Well, wouldn't you? All kidding aside, I think that this CD is great for old fans and new alike. Old fans like myself who are completists, will want the two new songs for their collections. New fans will get the chance to get the best songs all on one CD. Then they might be intrigued enough, interest piqued, whatnot, to go out and look into more of the B-52's'other music. I believe that anything that leads to a deeper interest in a band's music is good.

The B-52's are a dance band, a party band, and people have been dancing to their music for twenty years now. The band is still going strong, and the two new songs are fantastic. "Debbie" has a great guitar line in it that is hard to get out of your head once you've heard this song once. "Hallucinating Pluto" is the other new song, and has an outer space theme. I don't like this song as much as "Debbie," but I have a nearly impossible time resisting Fred's vocals. I think that's what has always attracted me to this band - they didn't sound like anyone else out there and they still don't. The new songs proved to me that the band still has all their old charm and plenty of energy left.

I don't know if there is going to be a "brand-new" album out any time soon. The band claims to have no plans in that direction, but, you just never know. They have always kept things rather laid-back, and who knows, maybe after their tour is over, and they've rested up, well, stranger things have happened. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. In the meantime, pick this CD up and just dance, dance, dance!