Are we talking about the band from Athens, Georgia? PLAY LOUD would indicate yes!!!
If so (regardless of the dance section in which they don't belong but I don't care) I am a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE fan of their classic stuff when they were the original line up with guitarist Ricky Wilson leading. The first two albums are two of the most influential pop milestones of all time. On those first two albums they were to music what John Waters was to film. REALLY good guitar band pop and virtually molded the self aware post modern pop culture that has saturated music since (certianly on a more mianstream accessible level than Zappa or George Clinton ever did).
Once the whole largely real, live band ethic left and the synths came in, it was cute and fun, but the serious influence disappeared. I really love the last album they did together with Ricky Wilson, BOUNCING OFF THE SATTELITES, superbly produced by Tony Mansfield (Fairlight in tow). THE FROM A NUDE BEACH and SHE BRAKES FOR RAINBOWS are some of the most inspired post modern, self aware synthpop since the Human Leagues' DARE. it actually sounds like retro electroclash today, like PEACHES or Gwen Stefani:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPl7IYLCjg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuvqQ32IKh4
After Ricky Wilson died, so did the band, and sadly to many they are known and remembered as being the one hit wonder behind "Loveshack" (one of the worst throwaway cheese hits ever). I love Don Was and Nile Rodgers as well, but celebrity producer team ups and the B 52's don't go hand in hand, and what we got was a synthesised mess. Also, the B's commited the ultimate band sin: they promoted their drummer to lead guitarist. Oh, dear.
Believe it or not, as a die hard B 52's fan, when they were doing their whole COSMIC THING "LOVE SHACK" comeback in 1989, IMO The Thompson Twins were the ones recreating the classic B52's magic. Check out their excellent BIG TRASH album (also the song they did with Debbie Harry, I WANT THAT MAN). This is the song BOMBERS IN THE SKY from BIG TRASH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4PnRdOR-9I
Not at all what you would expect from the Thompson Twins!! If only they had teamed up with the B52's that year instead of Was and Rodgers.
