The B-52's: Funplex. I had suddenly become interested in The B-52's again after hearing the Junior Senior song "Take My Time", which features Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson -- you can see the video for it here -- the video is a little "Mesopotamia", a little Tom Tom Club. There was also a write-up about their origins in Rip it up and start again : Postpunk 1978-1984 which did a lot to raise my enthusiasm for the band. As a result, I've been rediscovering the joys of "Wild Planet," "Whammy," hell, even "Bouncing Off The Satellites" has a couple of really winning tunes on it. I knew the group was still touring, but they also haven't released a new song in a decade, so it seemed unlikely that they would be releasing much in the way of new music anytime soon. But then, yesterday, I happened to stumble on their website, and guess who has a new album coming in March? And a new single out now?
And it's actually a good song! Not their best, by any means, but good enough. It sounds a little like "Get Ready"-era New Order, but that makes sense, since it has the same producer. The slightly synthetic feel leaves Fred's vocals pretty naked when it's only him singing; to be honest, I think his vocals work better on something slightly groovier, something more like -- dare I say it? -- "Love Shack". But when the girls start harmonizing, everything falls into place, and all is right with the world. Especially when you have lyrics like this: "I'm your daytime waitress at the Taco Tiki Hut / I'm your daytime waitress Here's your stupid 7-Up." Makes me wish my local Funplex had a Taco Tiki Hut.
Yotsuba&! by Kiyohiko Azuma. I'm not normally a fan of manga outside of Osamu Tezuka, just because I tend to like my comics either four-color Pop Art superheroes beating up mutant street beatniks, or pretentiously arty and in black and white. In fact, this manga shares a lot in common with my arty comics, except it isn't even remotely pretentious. It's a slice-of-life comedy that is actually, genuinely funny. So funny that yesterday, while eating a tofu burrito at Moe's Southwest Cafe, I absolutely lost it, and damn near died for laughing. (Tofu: It Kills!) The expressions on the title character's face as she waits for a souvenir that it seems will never appear, or when she finishes lighting fireworks, or as she has a bouquet of flowers every bit as large as she is tied to her body (!), that's what make this comic a pure gem. The character is full of joy and love, and brings equal amounts joy and agitation to all who know her. It's the best comic I have read in a while, and because my library carries the first four volumes, I don't even need to buy my own copies! (They appear to be well-worn, as well, so it seems like I'm not the only one in the library that is reading them.)
and lastly:
The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats. Cuz teh phunny, it iz.
