Critical Thinking alternative versions thoughts

[Glyn]

Thought it would be good to get a separate thread about these. Am not going to go through each one (have only just got the deluxe version too ,so I haven't had much time with the demos) but early thoughts are :

Critical Thinking : I assume the demo is all Wire and am surprised how fully formed it is. I usually dislike repeating lyrics but I think repeating the first verse helps in this , it gives it more of a 'mantra' feel than the album version. Full marks to JDB for attempting the piano version , but for me he doesn't land the verse vocals (although i also think Wire doesn't quite get it 100% right on the album too).

Brushstrokes of Reunion: I suspected when I first heard it that I'd prefer the demo and that's absolutely the case. The 'This Morning' riff in the chorus is a lot more palatable to me in this version.

Hiding in Plain Sight : Love the demo. I'm a big IKTZ fan and was disappointed that Intimism lost part of his 'DIY indie' sound. Had also assumed that JDB had fleshed this song out musically but this proves that he didn't add too much to what was already there. The piano version confirms to me though that the song hinges on the performance and it can be a bit repetitive when laid bare.

Dear Stephen: Not the biggest fan of this song but the 'boy with the thorn in his side' brief moment works a lot better on the acoustic demo as a short burst of volume.

My Brave Friend : It's hard to argue that the album needs more Wire vocals, and clearly JDB sings it better, but Wire's voice on the demo gives this a fragility that I prefer to the album version. Just my own view ,but it made sense to me when they said that this song dates from the FD era as I suspect it has gone through a few different versions and ultimately ended up a bit overcooked.

Being Baptised: have really fallen for this song since hearing the Piano version. The demo acoustic version also shows how well crafted this song is. Could easily have sat on TIMTTMY for me .

One Man Militia: another 'I thought JDB had brought more to this' but assume again this is another solely Wire demo showing that he had written almost all of it.

[rosetree]

I listened to the demos on the Manics stream - though I'm going buy the piano download and cd version with Nicky's book of handwritten?'lyrics.

I think the demo CT is all Nicky and bass and all it needs for this version. I love it.

Brushstrokes of Reunion - the demo sounds particularly great , I think i prefer it to the album track.

Hiding in Plain Sight - Nicky's voice sounds clear but alone on the demo, though still powerful thoughout.

Dear Stephen - I think this has a hint of The Smiths songs and more so on the demo.

Being Baptised - on side 2 of the album continues nice guitar, I really like the acoustic demo.

Out of Time Revival - on the demo James sounds clear and upbeat than the album version.

My Brave Friend - lovely demo of Nicky's version with hints of richey in the words,

OneManMilitia - I love it when Nicky sings this kind of stuff. All in one great song.

Decline & Fall remix - I love this, it's crazy and adds more meaning to D&F.