Mesopotamia is the result of what was intended as the third full length album from The B-52's. Made in 1982 and produced by David Byrne of Talking Heads, the recording sessions were aborted prematurely and six songs were released as an EP. Due to a record company error the initial copies of the Island Records version of the EP released in the UK and other non-US territories contained some extended versions and different takes of the songs. In 1991, Mesopotamia was remixed and, combined with the Party Mix! album, was released on CD. Confusingly, the original Warner Bros. Records version of the album is the version available on Island Records CD re-release. Mesopotamia is considered a departure in style for The B-52's. On their two previous albums the band basically recorded songs as they would sound live on stage. Mesopotamia, however, was recorded with vocal overdubs, horns, layered percussion, a greater number of live instruments and an altogether richer sound. Prior to the release of Mesopotamia, The B-52's were known for their fun and wacky songs and simple, infectious guitar riffs. The tracks on Mesopotamia are arranged in more of an "extended groove" style (a style associated with producer David Byrne and his band Talking Heads) and don't really have pronounced guitar riffs. Live versions of the songs were performed by the then five members of the band with two extra musicians on trumpet and saxophone. The album spawned three single releases. Two 7-inch singles released were "Deep Sleep"/"Nip it in the Bud" and "Cake"/"Loveland". "Mesopotamia" was released as a promo single with "Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can" on the B-side. The representations of the band members on the album's cover were based on paintings by band member Cindy Wilson. (via Wikipedia)