*


Produced by David Byrne and released in 1982, this overlooked classic is often viewed as a between-album, experimental oddity. I happen to love it but I know it gets a so-so reaction amongst a lot of fans.


Anyway, after years and years of relying on my cassette tapes to listen to The B-52's, I finally got round to buying the albums on cd. However...


some of the songs are totally different on the cd version!!!





WTF?!


For example, on the cassette version of 'Cake', it starts off with horns; on the cd version, it kicks off with a guitar. 'Loveland', in particular, sounds totally different to the one I was used to. I love hearing these alternate versions but adore - and have grown up with - the cassette versions so much, it was a bit of a shock.


So, first question: does anyone know why two different versions of the album exist? And why do the 'fuller' sounding, less demo-y tracks exist on tape only?? It doesn't make sense, almost (assuming they put the other tracks on cd, which would've been released later ).


And second question: is it possible to buy the 'cassette' versions on cd?! I have even bought the 'Party Mix!/Mesopotamia' double album - hoping it would feature those versions - but no such luck.


Any info will be greatly appreciated!









* with thanks to Imago for supplying the artwork

Had no idea about the differences! I only have it on vinyl (an original, for sake of this topic).

The album was remixed in 1990 for the CD reissue. As far as I know, the only version on CD is the remixed one.

Cinnie said:

I know!!

I wish there was a way of putting the tape versions on to cd because I much prefer them. They sound far less 'demo-y' and 'fuller'.

For example, about 1 min 15 secs into 'Loveland' - just after 'Hey, hey - I got it. I'm talking about... the power of your love' - a more pronounced rhythm guitar comes in on the tape version.


I wonder which version you have?! If 'Cake' starts with a guitar, not horns, then you've got the cd version.

Axchi696 said:

Thanks! So no known, original, version on cd??

I wonder why the hell they allowed that...? I know 'Mesopotamia' wasn't amazingly well-received on release; maybe they felt it needed 'touching up'. Personally, I think the remixes are inferior, if anything.


It must be out there somewhere.

oh lawd

Imago said:

Get to bed, dumbass.

onenitealone said:

Good night

I wouldn't be too concerned about the little nuances about the changes in the production that seem to bother you.

NWF said:

I wouldn't call it 'concern'; more preference. It's like with a certain someone's bootlegs - I love hearing the outtakes/unfinished tracks/alternate versions; sometimes you prefer the 'official' ones, sometimes you prefer what remained in the vault.

In this case, I prefer the version I'm accustomed to. It's just a pity *both* don't exist on cd.

I can't find my effing record!

Cinnie said:

If you find it - please report back.

sympathy bump!

Imago said:

Saddest post I have ever seen.