The B-52´s - Mesopotamia (1982) - €10,00

Mesopotamia is an EP by American new wave band the B-52's. It was produced by David Byrne of Talking Heads and was originally planned to be the band's third studio album. Due to conflicts with Byrne and record label pressure, recording sessions were aborted prematurely and only six of ten songs to be completed were released. 

Mesopotamia is considered a departure in style for the B-52's, with Byrne and the band adding additional instruments, vocal overdubs, horns, synthesizers and layered percussion. A larger emphasis was placed on production after the raw sound of their debut album, The B-52's, and the slightly more produced sound of their second album, Wild Planet. 

Mesopotamia was a major departure in style for the B-52's. The band's two previous albums had been more or less true to the live sound that made them favorites of the '70s New York scene, featuring basic organ, guitar, a keyboard bass and a strong backbeat. 

Mesopotamia, with Byrne at the helm, showcased a new sound that included multi-layered guitars, a horn section, atmospheric synths, complex percussion and various other instruments, including a bass guitar, marimba, piano and accordion.

Mesopotamia was also vocally unique for the band because many of the tracks do not feature the vocal interplay for which the band is known. With two Cindy Wilson solo performances, one solo from Kate Pierson, two duets between Pierson and Fred Schneider, and one Wilson/Pierson duet, the sound was more vocally varied than on previous recordings. The hiring of numerous session musicians was also a first for the B-52's, although this would be repeated on subsequent albums. 

The EP was a moderate success and spawned three single releases: double A-sides "Deep Sleep"/"Nip it in the Bud", "Cake"/"Loveland" and "Mesopotamia"/"Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can."

Side one
1.  Love Land  (5:00)
2.  Deep Sleep  (3:29)
3.  Mesopotamia  (3:53)

Side two
1.  Cake  (5:50)
2.  Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can  (4:35)
3.  Nip It in the Bud  (3:31)

Notes

Release:  1982

Format:  LP

Genre:  Art Pop

Label:  Island Records

Catalog#  204217250

Vinyl:  VG

Cover:  VG

Prijs: €10,00