Mesopotamia
The B-52’s
1982: Island 846 239-2
NOT the Party Mix edition of the album, which I also have, this is the original. I was appalled when I heard the other version, because it “cleaned up” the sound on many tracks I’d come to enjoy in their murkier forms. If you have despaired because you were stuck with the remixed version, just keep hunting…the real thing’s out there.
That’s assuming you really, really want this album…and probably only seriously devoted B’s fans will. Of all their records, this is the one most desperately in need of a lyrics sheet, as the bulk of the vocals are either sloppy or made indistinct by the passionless tedium of the rhythm tracks. It sounds like there were some fun song ideas being tried out but not taken to completion (or possibly worked to death); as a result “Nip It In the Bud” is the only track that really sounds like the B’s, and the others like the various members of the group were doing guest spots on some other band’s album. “Deep Sleep” brings the album down dreadfully, all the more unfortunate because the kickoff track isn’t particularly lively and drags on to its close almost with embarrassment.
I do find the title track amusing enough to justify keeping this at hand (and the closer too even if I can only guess at what’s being sung), and “Cake” is *nearly* there and at least funny at moments.
Comments © 2005 Mark Ellis Walker, except as noted, and no claim is made to the images and quoted lyrics.