The B-52's - Bouncing Off the Satellites

Two years after the release of Whammy!, guitarist Ricky Wilson died of AIDS, a shattering blow for the B-52's. The group recouped and finished Bouncing Off the Satellites, the album they were recording when Wilson died. Considering their loss, it's not surprising that the B-52's don't sound entirely focused throughout the record, and it's easy to forgive them for the momentary loss of direction. Musically, it's a continuation of Whammy!, with the group's signature sound being enhanced by drum machines, synths, and sessionmen. There are so many musicians on the record that it winds up sounding too carefully considered -- the polar opposite of the loose, inspired fun of their early work. That said, there are some flashes of inspiration scattered throughout the album ("Wig," "Juicy Jungle," "Theme for a Nude Beach," "She Brakes for Rainbows"). There isn't quite enough to make it of interest to anyone but the dedicated, yet those listeners will find that there's enough worth hearing on Bouncing off the Satellites, especially if they're in a forgiving mood. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adey Wilson Vocals, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Bass), Guitar Cindy Wilson Vocals Don Peterkofsky Assistant Engineer Fernando Kral Assistant Engineer Fred Schneider Vocals John Coté Vocals (Background) Kate Pierson Vocals (Background), Organ, Vocals Kav DeLuxe Art Direction Keith Bennett Art Direction Keith Strickland Guitar, Percussion, Photography, Vocals, Bass, Sitar, Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Harmonica Kenny Scharf Paintings Mark Mazur Guitar, Guitar (Bass) Michael Hutchinson Engineer Phill Brown Mastering Ricky Wilson Guitar, Guitar (Bass) Shep Pettibone Remixing, Producer Steve Peck Engineer Tim Rollins Guitar Tom Beckeman Guitar Tom Beckerman Guitar (Electric), Guitar Tony Mansfield Fairlight, Synthesizer, Producer Tony Phillips Engineer