The album was highly criticized at the time for it's use of the Fairlight and its glossy, synthetic production by Tony Mansfield. The band also suffered the loss of multi-instrumentalist and key songwriter Ricky Wilson (brother of vocalist Cindy), which sent the recording sessions into complete disarray. Because of this, "Bouncing Off The Satellites" has a bittersweet, melancholy sound....but that's not to say there isn't fun to be had! The wacky "Wig," the exotic "Theme for a Nude Beach" and "Detour Thru Your Mind" are upbeat and fun, "Summer of Love" was a top-ten dance hit, and the album's highlight, "Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland," contains an impressive arrangement and an insanely catchy melody. But the B's began to explore their serious side on this release; Cindy Wilson does her best Patsy Cline impression on "Ain't it a Shame," and "She Brakes for Rainbows" is absolutely gorgeous. The only real dud is "Juicy Jungle," an overwrought ecology-themed Fred solo. But the rest of this album goes down nice and easy, and is a must for any B's fan.

Because of the devastating loss of Ricky Wilson, touring for this album was virtually impossible, and the changing musical climate at the time didn't help the album's prospects. "Summer of Love" was a huge hit on U.S. dance floors, but failed to cross over. The band tried to save the album by promoting "Ipanema" with a video, but it barely got airplay....and it was pretty much too late anyway. It would be another three years before the band would release "Cosmic Thing," which became one of the biggest hits of the year.

The Most Underrated CD Evah!
This is truly the most underrated CD the B-52's have ever made. After Ricky's death, the band simply never sounded the same evah again!! Still, the songs are pretty dang good...

1. Summer Of Love- A fair shot at an opener. Lyrics are sorta nosy, but melody is cool. ***

2. Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland- Not totally horrid, but still slightly disapointing.**1/2

3. Housework- Fine melody, fine words. In other words, Fine. ****

4. Detour Thru Your Mind- Funny lyrics, but cruddy melody. I like it anyway. ****

5. Wig- A bit TOO silly. Nice melody. ***

6. Theme For A Nude Beach- Simply embarrasing. Easily the WORST on the album *

7. Ain't It A Shame- Nice words. Nice music. Nice. ***1/2

8. Juicy Jungle- My fav on the album. Awesome words and music. This song is worth the whole CD. *****

9. Communicate- A spelling lesson. Words aren't so hot. ***

10. She Breaks For Rainbows- A nice finisher. Words are perfect, so is melody. ****1/2

All in all, you should get this album. Even though it's getting hard to find...

Fond memories of this CD
I had just graduated high school when Bouncing Off the Satellites was released. I was and still am a B-52's fan. To this day, the only song that stick's in my mind from that album is Wig. Many of these reviews say Wig is stupid. Yes, it is stupid, which is what makes it so great. Whenever I say "What's that on your head?" my brother says "A Wiiiiigggg!". My cassette tape is old and dusty. Time for me to add the CD to my collection. By the way, there is a children's book based on this song which I just bought for $5 in the bargain bin of a drug store. My 3 and 4 yr old kids think it's funny.

Under Appreciated B-52's Album That was Ricky Wilson's Last
In 1985, one of the B-52's key members, composer/lyricist/guitarist Ricky Wilson, was suffering from complications resulting from HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately, with no adequate treatments for HIV in 1985, Ricky passed away in October of that year not long after he and his band mates (sister Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland) had completed recording the album entitled "Bouncing Off the Satellites", which was released a few months later in 1986. While grieving Ricky's loss and lacking Ricky's unique guitar sound, the four surviving members of the B-52's decided to not go on a concert tour to promote the album. Sadly, this album, which was dedicated to Ricky's memory, quickly went into obscurity and many people speculated whether it marked the end of the B-52's. Fortunately, the four surviving members regrouped a few years later and recorded their most commercially successful album, "Cosmic Thing", in 1989; but Ricky's final album continues to this day to be least known B-52's album.

The ten songs of "Bouncing Off the Satellites", which total nearly 46 minutes of play time, are rather good overall in spite of several negative critiques written about the album shortly after its release in 1986. It also features rare vocals by Keith and Ricky. I rate each of the album's ten songs as follows:

1. "Summer Of Love" (5 stars, sung by Kate & Cindy). Fun & danceable song praising the fun and heat of the summer. This song was used in the soundtrack of the 1989 film "Earth Girls Are Easy".
2. "Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland" (5 stars, Sung by Cindy). A fun tribute to the well known jazzy 1960's song "Garota De Ipanema" (a.k.a. "The Girl From Ipanema") by Stan Getz And Joao Gilberto. Ipanema is a well-known beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
3. "Housework" (4.5 stars, sung by Kate). A fun tribute to the toils of housework and wanting a man to help clean.
4. "Detour Through Your Mind" (5 stars, sung by Fred, Cindy & Kate). A fast & fun internalized trip through the mind and visiting a doctor.
5. "Wig" (4.5 stars, sung by Fred, Cindy & Kate). A fast & fun tribute to various wigs, which were often a trademark part of the B-52's performing costumes.
6. "Theme for a Nude Beach" (5 stars, sung by Fred, Cindy, Kate, Keith & Ricky). One of the very few songs sung by all 5 B-52's members, this fun song with beautiful harmonic vocals praises the joys of being on a nude beach.
7. "Ain't It a Shame" (5+ stars, sung by Cindy, Keith & Ricky). This sad, but beautiful, love song is one of the few with Ricky & Keith singing and is probably the only one with this combination of vocals in the B-52's repetoire.
8. "Juicy Jungle" (4 stars, sung by Fred & John Coté). A fast & danceable song praising the environment and nature, as well as protecting the rain forests of the world.
9. "Communicate" (4.5 stars, sung by Fred, Cindy & Kate). A fast song encouraging people to talk to prevent arguments.
10. "She Brakes For Rainbows" (5 stars, sung by Cindy, Ricky, Keith & Kate). Mostly a beautiful solo for Cindy that I would love to hear performed live.

Whether or not you are a diehard B-52's fan, this is a wonderful album that has truly been very under appreciated since it was recorded 18 years ago. Overall, I rate the B-52's album "Bouncing Off the Satellites" with a very-well deserved 5 stars and highly recommend it to every B-52's fan, especially to those fans who have never heard all of its songs.

This was their best
This effort was not filled with a bunch of "silly" songs, hence alot of zombies dont get it. But I recomend you to get it and enjoy a wonderful cd.