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The B-52's by  ReleasedJuly 6, 1979Recorded1978–1979Studio,      Length39:14 chronologyThe B-52's
(1979)
(1980) from The B-52's ""
Released: April 1978 ""
Released: July 6, 1979 ""
Released: 1979

The B-52's is the debut album by the -based  band . The  lyrics and mood, and the hook-laden harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who went on to release several chart-topping singles. The album cover was designed by  (credited as Sue Ab Surd).

The B-52's peaked at number 59 on the , and "Rock Lobster" reached number 56 on the . In 2003, the television network  named The B-52's the 99th greatest album of all time. Shortly before his death,  said he enjoyed the album. In his 1995 book, The Alternative Music Almanac,  placed the album ninth on the list of 10 Classic Alternative Albums. In 2020, the album was ranked number 198 on  magazine's list of the .

Critical reception Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingA9.0/104/510/10

Critical reception for The B-52's was generally favorable; critics praised the album's  lyrics and party atmosphere. In his "Consumer Guide" column for , music critic  remarked on his fondness "for the  junk they recycle—with love and panache," while also noting that he was "more delighted with their rhythms, which show off their Georgia roots by adapting the innovations of early  (a decade late, just like  and ) to an endlessly danceable forcebeat format."

In a retrospective review,  of  wrote: "Unabashed kitsch mavens at a time when their peers were either vulgar or stylish, the Athens quintet celebrated all the silliest aspects of pre- pop culture – bad hairdos,  nightmares, dance crazes, pastels, and anything else that sprung into their minds – to a skewed fusion of pop, , , amateurish , and white funk."  writer Pat Blashill concluded that "On The B-52's, the best little dance band from Athens proved that  still matters if it's about sex and hair and moving your body. Even if you have to shake-bake shake-bake it like a Shy Tuna." 's Sal Cinquemani stated that "(l)ike any over-the-top act, the B-52's wears thin, but the band successfully positioned themselves as pop-culture icons—not unlike the musical antiquities they emulated." The B-52's was included in the book . In 2003,  magazine ranked the album number 152 on its list of , maintaining the ranking in the 2012 update and dropping it to number 198 in the 2020 reboot of the list.

Track listing Side oneNo.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength1."" Schneider 4:352."52 Girls" Jeremy Ayers Pierson 3:343."" R. Wilson Schneider Strickland Pierson C. Wilson C. Wilson Pierson Schneider 4:364."" R. Wilson Schneider C. Wilson Pierson Schneider 6:49Side twoNo.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength5."Lava" R. Wilson Schneider Strickland Pierson C. Wilson C. Wilson Pierson Schneider 4:546."There's a Moon in the Sky (Called zhe Moon)" R. Wilson Schneider Strickland Pierson C. Wilson C. Wilson Pierson Schneider 4:547."Hero Worship" R. Wilson Robert Waldrop C. Wilson4:078."60608-842" R. Wilson Schneider Strickland Pierson C. Wilson Pierson Schneider 2:489."" C. Wilson Pierson 2:57Total length:39:14