"TOPAZ" THE B-52'S (1989)

For October, the Mental Jukebox is dialing it way back to the eighties and going deep. Deep cuts have always been an important element of music listening to me because they’re often the songs that resonate with me most. Deep cuts are usually the ones that the true fans appreciate most. I like my singles and hits, but I love my deep cuts.

When The B-52’s came to visit my college, I snapped up the opportunity and got myself to the concert. That said, I’m not a big fan. Their songs are certainly etched into my life, especially my teenage years. But their niche in carefree, party rock always felt a little too cooky for my tastes. But on their breakthrough album Cosmic Thing, they flashed a different side to their music that I would describe more as euphoric and ethereal. This sound was represented in the last two tracks: “Topaz” and “Follow Your Bliss”.

On Cosmic Thing, everyone will remember “Love Shack”. Many will fondly remember “Roam”. Alt rock fans won’t forget “Channel Z”. But I’ll always remember “Topaz”. The second-to-last track. The almost forgotten song. The easily overshadowed one. But it was The B-52’s finally stepping outside of their party mentality. Still kids at heart, but this was a band that was growing up before our ears. With its swirly, dreamy, euphoric state, “Topaz” gave us a more mature perspective and sound that I appreciated back in high school. And still do.

“New cities by the sea. Skyscrapers are winking. Some hills are never seen. The universe expanding.”

"PRIVATE IDAHO" THE B-52'S (1980)

For the next 30 days, I’ll be taking the #AprilAcrossAmerica challenge, picking one song a day as I make my way across the country and across genres at the same time.

Day 27: The bottom of a bottomless blue pool, Idaho

You just have to be in the right mood for The B-52’s, right? Or maybe we choose to listen to them to alter our mood? They’re not a band I naturally gravitate to. But I can’t imagine my life as a music fan without them. “Rock Lobster” was probably the first B-52’s song I heard, likely on WLIR/WDRE. I was intrigued and perplexed at the same time. People can actually make money and make a living doing what they do! I’m pretty sure the second song I heard from the band was “Private Idaho”, a song I discovered nearly a decade after its existence.

Stating the obvious, but there are lots of crazy things happening in this song. Schneider goes on and on about a blue bottomless pool. There’s an odd synthesizer part straight out of a 70’s sci-fi movie. There’s all sorts of crazy things happening on Kate and Cindy’s vocals, including something baring an odd resemblance to yodeling. And then there’s the guitar that plays one single note for long stretches. Well, crazy is what we signed up for the minute we pressed the play button.

“FOLLOW YOUR BLISS” THE B-52’S (1989)

I started Mental Jukebox nearly three years ago at the beginning of the pandemic. During this time, I’ve discovered new music, rediscovered old favorites and I’ve met passionate music fans around the world. And when things opened up, I kept on blogging. This month, the jukebox goes deeper. The term “deep cut” has multiple meanings. It can refer to lesser known album tracks from well-known artists. It can also refer to tracks from lesser known artists. This month, I’ll be featuring both types. #DeepCutsFeb

I’m not a particularly huge fan of The B-52’s in general. The band’s bigger hits (“Rock Lobster”, “Planet Claire”, “Love Shack”) are my least favorite tracks of theirs. When they come down-to-earth a bit and leave the party at home is where I think there’s interesting music to be discovered. On Cosmic Thing, this side to the band came to fruition with songs like “Roam”, “Topaz” and my deep cut pick, “Follow Your Bliss”.

I can see why many fans would almost consider this track to be a throwaway. But it was instantly one of my favorites. The musical equivalent of a change-up pitch, it gave the album a different tempo, timbre and demeanor to close out with. “Follow Your Bliss” is a slow, lazy, feel-good musical statement. Nothing more. It’s not trying to hype you up, but instead it lifts you up slowly but surely. It’s a track that’s easily forgotten, but I’ll take it over “Love Shack” any day of the week. It’s the essence of deep cut.

"TOPAZ" THE B-52'S (1989)

On Cosmic Thing, everyone will remember “Love Shack”. Many will fondly remember “Roam”. Alt rock fans won’t forget “Channel Z”. But I’ll always remember “Topaz”. The second-to-last track. The almost forgotten song. The easily overshadowed one. But it was The B-52’s finally stepping outside of their party mentality. Still kids at heart, but this was a band that was growing up before our ears. “Topaz” gave us a more mature perspective and sound that I appreciated back in high school. And still do.

“New cities by the sea. Skyscrapers are winking. Some hills are never seen. The universe expanding.”