MAD Album Version for your listening pleasure

[Wrightfan]

My first thought was "eh, I think the demo might be better" but as I listened more...I think I like this version better.

Seems darker then the demo. Since this a dark song, I like it.

[Wirestone]

"Wonderin' What You're Up to Now" is "California Role." MAD is new (as far as I know), but Scott did say it started off as a rock tune.

On second listen -- the studio version is growing on me.

[SG7]

It's hard to say my opinion, since there is so many options to this (demo, live recording.) I do think the strings in it are very pretty and it is great to hear the band mixed in. I was kind of missing the big crescendo in the "makes me feels so alone" part as well. I think the song is mixed a bit too low for my liking, but when I get my vinyl copy I hope it will be a difference. It is a drop dead beautiful song though.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Anyway, listening to the demo and the new version i'm pretty sure its the same vocal take.
I'm sure I will be corrected if otherwise.....!

[koff] er, no, it's not. Close... but not.

[RickD]

I'm not sure what to make of it -

great song, vocals and strings and everything else is fine, but I agree with AGD (ang GoofyJeff) that the "spine-tingling" build up in "all these people, etc doesn't seem to be there like before - and I thought that was the highlight of the song.

I'm hoping it might be the radio/download effect.

[XY]

Anyway, listening to the demo and the new version i'm pretty sure its the same vocal take.
I'm sure I will be corrected if otherwise.....!

[koff] er, no, it's not. Close... but not.

Of course I immediately tried a mashup of both versions, but they don't even have the same tempo. Completely rerecorded I would say. Wouldn't even call both BW vocals close. The demo has some additional BV sadly missing from final take and in this case I prefer Brian's self-sung BV to the band, but only for a couple of inches.
And of course complaining fans can still listen to the demo. But they just want the best for Brian and the outside world to experience the exactly same overwhelming magic they were confronted with the first time around. That's the point, it's the fan's desire to show the world how great Brian is. But don't worry, the final take will do on the same level me thinks.

[matt-zeus]

Anyway, listening to the demo and the new version i'm pretty sure its the same vocal take.
I'm sure I will be corrected if otherwise.....!

[koff] er, no, it's not. Close... but not.

Ah yes, that's what I meant....!

[doc smiley]

finally heard it..... on one listen of very iffy quality mp3, I'm not sure...Brian's voice sounds smooth, but very low..
the demo had a certain quality to it that is missing here, but it ( the demo) had issues... this version fixes those issues ( instruments, some of Brians backing vox) but seems to have other issues... back vox blending for one.... but again, the quality of the recording I heard doesn't do justice.... so like so many others... I wait

  IMHO

[Empire Of Love]

Ok, I've heard it now.  Pretty good in my opinion, especially considering I was listening to a horrible real player file.  I have two thoughts:

1. The slurred Brian voice of the last several years seems to be diminshed, which is a good thing.
2. Is it just me or was anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?

And a third thought - I believe someone, someday will have a hit with this song, though I don't think it will be Brian with this version.

[Andrew G. Doe]

2. Is it just me or was anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?

Err... that IS the final mix. 

[phirnis]

What are these guys even talking about at the end of the show? Are british radio hosts always that hectic?

Though I probably even agree with AGD to a certain degree about the rather dynamic sound of the demo version, MAD still strikes me as a very powerful and touching song, no matter which version. Come on, last time we were talking about How Can We Still Be Dancin'.

[RickD]

Come on, last time we were talking about How Can We Still Be Dancin'.

that is a very good point!

[Empire Of Love]

2. Is it just me or was anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?

Err... that IS the final mix. 

Andrew, I realize this is the final mix, which is why I asked, "Is it just me or ***WAS*** anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?"  It was my realization that this, the final mix, does not have any Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums that made me ask the question whether or not anyone else was hoping it would.

[Andrew G. Doe]

2. Is it just me or was anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?

Err... that IS the final mix. 

Andrew, I realize this is the final mix, which I was I asked, "Is it just me or ***WAS*** anyone else hoping for some Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums in the final mix?"  It was my realization that this, the final mix, does not have any Pet Sounds/Hal Blaine drums that made me as the question whether or not anyone was else was hoping it would.

Apologies - I misread "was" as "is".

[elnombre]

I'm sure the differences between the final version and the demo will make a lot more sense in the context of the finished album itself.

[Roger Ryan]

What are these guys even talking about at the end of the show? Are british radio hosts always that hectic?

I'm glad they like the song and production, but being disappointed that Brian's lead doesn't sound "angelic" and "perfect" like it would have if he was 24 again is silly.

[sockittome]

This is the very first time I've heard this song, and I must say it's an excellent one all the way around!  Someone earlier made somewhat of a comparison to "Til I Die " and I would have to agree.  Yes, the vocals have a few quirks, but much fewer than I have heard in some other songs. 

Now I am going to go and NOT listen to any of the other versions because from the sound of this discussion, that could complicate my appreciation of the official version. 

[chris.metcalfe]

What are these guys even talking about at the end of the show? Are british radio hosts always that hectic?

...our guys have spent years trying to copy your guys from the 60s and 70s and now you criticise them for not being 'normal'!

I think this is great, a fully realised version. The vocal to me sounds a lot more controlled than on BWPS or GIOMH, so it's odd that Radcliffe & Maconie think the vocal is wobbly.

[Wrightfan]

The radio stream seems to be gone.