The Turning Gate

Cosmic things, indeed

1989. MTV was still cool, grunge rock had yet to hit the mainstream and the B-52s‘ “Love Shack” was one of the biggest hits going. The radio played the single to death, and I hated it.

Years later I found Cosmic Thing in a used record store for a good price. My hatred of “Love Shack” had not yet subsided, but I’d always loved the album’s other single, “Roam”, and decided to buy it. I’d listen to that track once in a while; it made its way onto a few mix tapes. But mostly the album collected dust on the shelf, a rarely played novelty in a record collection of 700+ albums. I had more engaging things to listen to. I have since learned the error of my ways.

2004: Enter iPod.

The process of transfering my music to iTunes sent me deeper into my record collection than I’ve been in years. After all, I’ve been overseas; it’s been home in boxes. And in my rummaging I ran upon Cosmic Thing, which I had quite forgotten about. But my love of “Roam” came flooding back to me. And having spent two years roaming Asia, I found the song hitting home like it never had before, summing up all the bliss I’d found in my own roaming of the world. Naturally, I put it on my iPod, along with the rest of the album.

Before long, other songs from the album began to turn up in my shuffles. What’s more, I really, really liked them. I even found myself bopping to “Love Shack” one day whilst driving. And then it struck me …

Cosmic Thing is fucking fantastic!

The album is a pure piece of infectious fun. It’s uncomplicated, upbeat and a hell of a good dance record. Between Fred Schneider’s innane lyrics and Kate Pierson’s gorgeous vocals, the record was all about having a good time, and a good time it remains more than 15 years later.

In light of my travels, “Roam” has taken on inspirational qualities for me. “Topaz” and “Channel Z” just make me want to move, and I can no longer deny the wild abandon and smiles of “Love Shack”.

For me, it’s a case of better late than never. I only wish I’d realized sooner what a fantastic band the B-52s are, and what an amazing album Cosmic Thing is. Just think of all the fun I could have had by now!

Cosmic Thing is a very cosmic thing, indeed!

Stand-out tracks: Roam, Channel Z, Bushfire, Topaz.

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