Alternate Versions

Alternate Versions: Helmet- I Know (Demo-Live)

2025 is the year Helmet’s album Betty turns 30. It gets crazier and crazier to me seeing all these album that as a young kid I listened to all the time. Betty is one of the best and underrated albums of the 1990’s. There has always been one song in particular on Betty that I’ve loved since first hearing it and that song is “I Know.” This song is so damn good. It’s got this great rhythm that drives it all and it hits like a sledgehammer through concrete walls. Then you add in the textured guitar part that gives you that moment of “oh shit.” And when you put it all together with the riff and vocals it just takes you to another world! The version you hear on the album is a bit different than the early versions of the song. Take a listen to both and see which one you like better! Enjoy!

Helmet- “I Know” (Demo Version- Live In Italy / 1993):


Helmet- “I Know” (Album Version):

Title Tracks: Tool- Lateralus

It’s been quite a while since I listened to Tool but, last night I was thinking something related to them and wound up putting Lateralus on for bed. As I listened and got to track 9, I remembered why I liked this album so much. I also believe that this was the last good thing they have put out in years (but that’s for another topic and another day). “Lateralus” was actually released as a single to radio in February of 2022 with a Radio Edit version that’s about 6 minutes long (5:47 to be exact). This is also the song most well known for using the Fibonacci sequence in its creation. I’ve also heard that this song is about an acid trip. Either way this song is awesome, epic and a phenomenal title track to a great album.

Tool- Lateralus (Album Version):

Tool- Lateralus (Live 2014):

Alternate Versions: Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (LIVE)

I’ve been on a bit of a Led Zeppelin kick as of late. I found myself the other night putting all their albums on and just letting it all take me on a quite the musical trip. When I got to Physical Graffiti, there was one song in particular that hit at the right moment, and that song was “Ten Years Gone.” This song is an absolute gem in the Zeppelin catalog. It’s dark and sultry and full of great melody. “Ten Years Gone” is one of Jimmy Page’s epics. Interestingly, originally the song was meant to be an instrumental song. This song live goes to a whole other level. The alternate version that I have always dug comes from their 1979 concert at Knebworth. This would be one of the bands final concerts before the passing of the one and only John Bonham. This version particularly is quite simply superb.

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Live At Knebworth- 1979):


Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Album Version):

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- La Mer

My all time favorite album is The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails. It’s an absolute masterpiece and then some. Truly, it’s one of those albums that the more you listen, it always sounds impeccable. There are a batch of song I could focus on for this topic but, I thought I’d pin point one song that I’ve always had a deep admiration for and that song would be “La Mer” which can be found as Track 11 on Disc 1. “La Mer” is a really poignant song within the whole of The Fragile. The song itself was conceived during a very dark period in Trent’s life. While on stage in 2009 he disclosed that he had rented a house at the time of the making of The Fragile, on an ocean with the external intent to write some music, but in reality had contemplated suicide there. This song was the only song to come out of that time and place. He still feels strange playing it live because it serves as a reminder of this period. And each time it’s played live there is a feeling that sails from the stage to the audience that gives you chills when you least expect it. There are a few different versions of the song with each one giving you a bit of a different listening experience and vibe. I highly recommend checking the other ones out.

Nine Inch Nails- La Mer (Album Version):

La Mer (Alternate Version found on Deviations I):

La Mer (Jerome Dillon & Keith Hillebrandt Mix):

Alternate Versions: Emma Ruth Rundle- Razor’s Edge (Live)

Emma Ruth Rundle has long been a favorite of mine. I’ll never forget the first time I heard that voice and the chills I got from what she was singing. From her time in Red Sparrows and Marriages, the collaboration with Thou and then to her solo work, there is no stopping this talent. I do remember when it all came to make sense to me and that was around the time of her album, On Dark Horses which features one of my all time favorite Emma songs (as well as my daughter’s) “Darkhorse.” Hearing that album and song was what did it for me. Fast forward to now and Emma is readying a new live release from the Roadburn Festival where she performed songs from her latest and breathtaking new album, Engine Of Hell. The first song being shared from the release (which is out on July 7th) is the ever cutting (pun totally intended), “Razor’s Edge.” This version of the song will give you chills in the best way possible along with all the feels in the right places. Speaking of the album, Rundle says; “Roadburn has been such an important place for me and my evolution as an artist. The opportunity to perform ‘Engine of Hell’ in full there in 2022 was the end of something… and the beginning of this whole new chapter in my life and art. I really do feel free in so many ways. I wanted to commemorate and honor the experience by making my ‘Live at Roadburn’ album my first self release in 13 years.  I will always treasure the Roadburn community” This release is definitely one of those that makes the songs come to life even more and it hits a bit differently as the raw factor is very prevalent throughout.

Emma Ruth Rundle- Razor’s Edge (Live At Roadburn 2022):

Track One: Soundgarden- Rusty Cage

It was announced yesterday that the members of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s widow have finally settled on an agreement to allow the release of the songs that Soundgarden were working on prior to Chris’s death. There are about 7 finished songs that will see the light of day in the near future. Which is very exciting as I remember a few interviews with Chris and Kim saying the new material was a bit more in line with some of their earlier work. That being said, naturally, I do what I usually do when I hear good news about a band I like a lot and I’ve been on a Soundgarden kick now. The first album I went for was Bad Motor Finger and when “Rusty Cage” began I knew I made the right choice. What a killer song to start off an album with. It’s a song with such groove and vibe that you wouldn’t be remiss if you played it again after it ended. That’s the making a great song! Interestingly, “Rusty Cage” was the third and final single released on the record. Chris you are very missed!


Soundgarden- Rusty Cage:

Alternate Version:

Soundgarden- Rusty Cage (Live Lollapalooza 1992):

Track One: Fiona Apple- Sleep To Dream

Back in 1996 there was a debut album that was released and it was one of those albums that would go on to influence and inspire countless other artists and bands. The album I’m referring to is Fiona Apple’s, Tidal. This album is not only a game changer. It’s one of those classic albums that sets a standard. When you listen to this album it’s fully immersive as everything about it hits you the moment it starts. Which brings me to track one, “Sleep To Dream.” The way this song sets the tone and vibe for the next nine songs is astounding. The intro has this bit of tension with the drums and subtle bass line that is gently caressed into a sweet melody that introduces us to the glorious voice of Fiona. Interestingly, supposedly “Sleep To Dream” was reportedly Apple’s first lyric, penned when she was 14. Which at 14 writing a song like this is pretty damn exceptional. One of the things I love most about this song is that it it’s a perfect one to kick off the album. “Sleep To Dream” is a song that at times is often overlooked due to the success of the song “Criminal,” but, I do think this song is an absolute standout and even a better song than “Criminal.” If it’s been a minute since you put on Tidal, I highly recommend that changes for you. This is one of those albums that should be celebrated and regarded as not just a great debut but a quintessential album of the 1990’s.

Fiona Apple- Sleep To Dream (Official Video):

Fiona Apple- Sleep To Dream (Live On The Howard Stern Show 1997):

New Release: Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix)

As much as I am dying for an Oasis reunion (Noel and Liam please bury whatever crap is going on between you two and get the damn band back together), I will gladly take a new solo album from Noel (and Liam). Noel is one hell of a songwriter as you very well know. His new album, Council Skies arrives June 2nd. It will be the first album Gallagher has recorded in his own recording studio: Lone Star Studios as well as having legendary guitarist Johnny Marr of The Smiths guesting on three songs including the first single “Pretty Boy.” Speaking of “Pretty Boy” today, a new remix version of the song was released. Robert Smith of The Cure was asked to remix the song by Noel. The end result is pretty damn good. The remix that Robert did gives it more atmosphere and a bit of a different edge to it. Speaking about how this came about Robert said “I was surprised and delighted when Noel asked me to remix this gorgeous song, and I had a lot of fun slowing it down and spacing it out – Cure drummer Jason Cooper gave me a great vibey drum track to play along with – and the rest just phased into place under the starry sky of my distant moon.” And just like that the stars aligned to make this song into something quite cool. Noel will be on tour this summer in the US with Garbage!


Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix):


Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Album Version):

Johnny Marr working on “Pretty Boy”:

Alternate Versions: New Order- Senses (Cargo Demo)

Over the past couple days, I went on a bit of a Joy Division/New Order binge. It’s truly amazing how many bands have been influenced/inspired by these two bands. New Order’s debut album Movement, is one of those albums that is truly special. It’s part continuation of where Joy Division left off but, there’s new ground being explored in a subtle manner that will eventually lead to where New Order wound up. One of the songs off of this album that stands out in a really great way is “Senses.” One of my best friends loves this song so, I thought I’d dig up an alternate version of it and see if you can tell the difference between the two.

New Order- Sense (Cargo Demo):

New Order- Senses (Album Version):

Deep Cuts: Bush- Alien

Ever since Bush released their new album, The Art Of Survival back in October, I’ve been delving back into their catalog. If you haven’t heard their new album, I recommend it a lot! It’s quite good. It picks up where their previous album, The Kingdom left off. While going back through the albums, I remembered one song that I fell in love with many years ago when I was listening to Sixteen Stone. That song would be “Alien.” This deep cut is tremendous. It’s the song that should’ve ended Sixteen Stone, in my opinion. When you get to this song in order of the album, there is something about it that sort of encapsulates the themes of the record. Lyrically it can be taken in different ways but, it always felt like a song that was rooted in a sense of pain and loneliness. Gavin’s voice on the track carry the emotions in an interesting sway with the music. It feels epic while at the same time a mission statement of a song. “Alien” is one of the songs in Bush’s catalog that needs to be a part of their set list. Take a few moments to delve into this one!

Bush- Alien (Album Version):

Bush- Alien (Live):