The B-52′s “Mesopotamia” 1982. 6 song EP. Today, February 28th, is B-52 singer Cindy Wilson’s 60th birthday (b. 1957). Mesopotamia is the result of the band’s short-lived collaboration with Talking Heads’ David Byrne; the recording session was supposed to have resulted in The B-52′s third full-length release but there were “conflicts over musical direction.” Byrne’s thumbprints are all over Mesopotamia, from the artwork to the more experimental, less 60′s dance-n-surf party fun. The sound is more layered and complex than their previous recordings and the production more polished, less raw. But the quirky sense of humor that defines The B-52′s just has a hard time shining through on Mesopotamia. “Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can,” sung in the Sprechgesang style by Fred Schneider, is beyond quirky, delving into the land of just weird with all of the Byrnesque musical horn, synth and rhythm effects. I love David Byrne but the artistic visions just didn’t mesh. “Loveland” is one of the stronger recordings, Cindy Wilson’s vocals soaring and beautiful over a grooving, danceable beat.

I remember seeing many copies of Mesopotamia in the mid-80′s at used record stores. The EP did moderately well, reaching #35 on the US album charts and #18 in the UK, but I think a lot of B-52 fans traded it in after a few listens. The band released three double A-side singles from the record, which resulted in the entire EP being available in single format, which seems utterly bizarre.