It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

[PetFish]

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

I like both versions but the demo has so much more power and emotion.  Petrucci's solo pierces my heart every time and I love how James carries the last word "the curtain FAAAAAAAAALLLLLLS..." as JP starts and tears it up.

The buildup after the solo into the last chorus is also really cool with some gentle vocals and perfect drum hits.

I dunno, I'm hoping they'll revisit some other classics on the next tour but this is one I'm really hoping for.

[Madman Shepherd]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

NO!

[The Letter M]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

YES!

FTFM

-Marc.

[425]

Yes, definitely! Preferably the demo version. My personal dream is for them to revive the verse that was removed for the album version (the one that includes the line "Say goodbye to Jesus/The world He left will never be the same"). But really, any way they bring back this song would I'm sure be lovely.

[SeRoX]

Demo version slays the current version, IMO. I'm not stating other differences but one thing that James' voice much more beautiful and intense in demo. So yes, it must be back.

[BlobVanDam]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

NO!

That.

Not long ago, I would have preferred the demo version, but now I actually prefer the album version. Or even better, they could come up with a new live arrangement. Personally, I find the demo version a little bland now.

[KevShmev]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

NO!

This.

The demo version, like Blob said, is very bland.  The final version that made it on to FII is really, really good.

[George Eliot]

The biggest problem I have with the demo version is the sound quality, especially the electric guitar - it totally drowns out James' voice.  I understand it is a demo and good sound quality isn't the objective, but, imo it is amoung the worst sounding tracks on the demo CD's.  However, I really do like elements of it and wish those elements made into the final version.  I wish the accoustic intro had made it as well as the line aout Jesus at the end.  Because of those two qualities, I find the demo version to be more emotional.  Due to sound quality, I usually listen to the album track.  I might try and combine the elements I like from the demo with the album track though using audacity.  Who knows, it might turn out good.

[son_ov_hades]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

NO!

This 100%. The demo version is inferior to the album version.

[MoraWintersoul]

Maybe they could combine the more Disney-ish (that's MP's opinion, not mine) arrangements throughout the verses with that boomy chorus? IDK, I like them both.

[wolfking]

Nah.

[mikeyd23]

As Blob mentioned, I go back and forth on whether I like the demo version more or the studio version. It has changed a few times, but right now I think I'm actually in to the demo version.  There's something more emotional and gritty and raw to it.  So today I'm feeling the demo version, tomorrow that might change, lol! 

But I'd certainly love to see either version played live by the current lineup. Really, really great underrated song in DT's catalog, IMO.  Some of JP's most emotional lyrics as well. 

[rumborak]

It's time to bring back Take Away My Pain.

YES!

The Falling Into Infinity Demo Version.

NO!

This 100%. The demo version is inferior to the album version.

Absolutely. Problem is that the demo version tries to be epic, which doesn't fit the lyric topic at all. The album version is far better in that regard.

[TAC]

Nah.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I love all versions of this song.

[Madman Shepherd]

omg, I had no idea people agreed with me.  I literally thought that this was one issue where 100% of DT fans preferred the demo version. 

BTW, Take Away My Pain has a special place for me.  Not because I identify with the subject matter (thankfully) but I had gotten into Scenes From a Memory around the time it came out but could not stand listening to more than a few tracks because of the progginess.  I'm much more metal oriented.  Still, I knew Dream Theater was a kickass band so I found FII at a used CD store and wanted to give it a chance.  I couldnt really get into it right away but would put it on in the background.  I wasn't even paying attention to the music and TAMP came on, and just hit me.  I thought it was beautiful, catchy, and then when I listened to the lyrics I felt like I was right there with JP as he was witnessing his fathers last days. 

I had heard of the demo version online and how everyone thought it was superior.  Then I heard the live arrangement was essentially the demo version and was...kinda sad...at how underwhelming it was.  The live arrangement also added the Kenny G sax and I about wanted to throw up. 

Anyway, this thread is a profound thing for me.  I found out I'm not alone in the world.   

[vtgrad]

I'd love for the guys to pull that track out and dust it off for us fans... because I love the song (always have from the first listen) and because I identify with it.  Especially portions of the final verse... "noticing my reflection in the waves/then I saw you looking back at me".

I cry like a baby every time I hear the song; and would definitely do so if I heard it live.

[PetFish]

The biggest problem I have with the demo version is the sound quality, especially the electric guitar - it totally drowns out James' voice.  I understand it is a demo and good sound quality isn't the objective, but, imo it is amoung the worst sounding tracks on the demo CD's.  However, I really do like elements of it and wish those elements made into the final version.  I wish the accoustic intro had made it as well as the line aout Jesus at the end.  Because of those two qualities, I find the demo version to be more emotional.  Due to sound quality, I usually listen to the album track.  I might try and combine the elements I like from the demo with the album track though using audacity.  Who knows, it might turn out good.

I'd love to hear this if you put it together.

Absolutely. Problem is that the demo version tries to be epic, which doesn't fit the lyric topic at all. The album version is far better in that regard.

That makes sense, for sure.


I really like both versions and it's crazy how the same song can have two completely different feels.  Most demos end up being 90% finalized so there's only a few spots they're different.  "Unplugged" versions don't count cuz anything can be played that way.  Bon Jovi's "This Left Feels Right" could have been so much more (ie. hard rock version of "Always") but they chickened out and the whole thing just sounds like an unplugged show.  But to have a single song, essentially written twice with completely different feels, is pretty rare.

Although I still prefer the demo version I'd be super happy to here either one live again.  But, they've never actually played the album version live, right?  It's always been the demo version, as far as I know, so maybe it's time to debut the album version?  Arrrrrrgh!  My brain is assploding!

[Hanz Gropenfondel]

A big part of me hopes they don't revisit the FII demos ... I think they should be kept the treasures they truly are.
There's no rare tracks being made anymore, by anyone. That we can listen to the album version, then listen to these gems feels special ... If they redid them, I think these tracks would lose their novelty.

[cramx3]

Anna Lee first please!

[Madman Shepherd]

Anna Lee first please!

I can get behind this!

[The Letter M]

Anna Lee first please!

I can get behind this!

I can definitely get behind Anna Lee!

-Marc.

[Prog Snob]

I'm definitely for bringing back the demo version. It was the first version I heard and seeing it live brings it to life.

[rumborak]

Anna Lee first please!

Hells yeah.

In general, I say bring back some of the lightness that FII brought. At this point we know DT can be tough, they can be epic, they can broody. But lightness appeared and disappeared with FII.

[Madman Shepherd]

Honestly I could get behind them bringing back any song from FII except NM, JLMB, and LITS.

Yes, I would actually be thrilled to hear YNM or BMS. 

[Rodni Demental]

In my opinion; some demos are better. Hollow Years, Take Away my Pain, Anna Lee. All feel more contrived in the album to me. Which is kinda what happened. The demos are more raw and have more of an emotional impact in some cases. Captures perhaps the original vision for these songs more accurately and by the time they hit the studio they'd been tearing all these songs apart from the inside out, sometimes ripping out the heart, then went on to stitch them back together.

That being said, there are some songs that totally benefited from getting the Frankenstein re-tweaking treatment because simply put, they probably weren't ready. Funnily enough they tend to be the longer songs that need a bit more thought put into them as opposed to the demos that didn't need changing which are mostly ballads. Anyway, New Millennium, Lines in the Sand, Trial of Tears are all superior on the final album. There's a lot more nuances and extra effects which works in these songs.

I know this is a heavily debated issue but.. You Or Me was totally better than You Not Me. I don't hate the latter but I definitely think they should have tweaked but not completely changed the original to the point of actually loosing the original meaning and being entirely re-interpreted. But hey, for all we know it was might have been quite a fun project for JP so whatevs.

There are a few examples where the songs are probably more refined in the final version, but particular elements come off better in the demo. In some cases it's the vocals as FII demos seems to have more consistent vocals sometimes. Burning my Soul, Peruvian Skies, Just Let me Breath I think have things going for them in both versions but I would still probably edge to the finished product.

So really.. I have many mixed feelings about the alternate versions of these songs but at the end of the day I think it's amazing that we have this content in the first place. And I'd probably take the finished version in the end as most of the changes were probably worth it when all is said and done.

Take Away My Pain? Yeah I wouldn't mind if it came back. But I think I'd be FAR more interested in hearing Anna Lee again.

[PetFish]

The 5 Years in a Livetime "Anna Lee" popped up in my iPod the other day and I'd also love to hear that again.  Petrucci playing a tasteful slide?  Yes please.

Speak to Me.  Cover My Eyes.  There's actually a lot of great music from that era.

[kirksnosehair]

I prefer the demo by quite a big margin.

[rumborak]

BTW, what's with JLB's pronunciation of "crowd" in "the crowd applauds". He does it on the album, the demo as well well as live. Is that some crazy Canadian pronunciation?

[KevShmev]

Anna Lee first please!

Hells yeah.

In general, I say bring back some of the lightness that FII brought. At this point we know DT can be tough, they can be epic, they can broody. But lightness appeared and disappeared with FII.

Huh?

[Dublagent66]

I can't remember the demo version because it's been a while since I heard it.  However, the studio version seems to work just fine.  Always liked it.

[ZirconBlue]

Put me down on the "prefers the demo version" list.

I had heard of the demo version online and how everyone thought it was superior.  Then I heard the live arrangement was essentially the demo version and was...kinda sad...at how underwhelming it was.  The live arrangement also added the Kenny G sax and I about wanted to throw up. 

The live arrangement was not "essentially the demo version".  They basically did a blend of the album and demo versions to come up with the live version.  And the sax solo was an overdub on that live recording.

Although I still prefer the demo version I'd be super happy to here either one live again.  But, they've never actually played the album version live, right?  It's always been the demo version, as far as I know, so maybe it's time to debut the album version?  Arrrrrrgh!  My brain is assploding!

They've never played the album version, but I don't think they've played the demo version, either (unless they played it prior to the FII tour).  The version on the FII tour was a hybrid.

[rumborak]

Anna Lee first please!

Hells yeah.

In general, I say bring back some of the lightness that FII brought. At this point we know DT can be tough, they can be epic, they can broody. But lightness appeared and disappeared with FII.

Huh?

Never got around to replying to this. What I meant by this, take the song of this thread's topic, Take Away My Pain, and how it starts. MP is doing a light shuffle with drum brushes. The song almost gives me a small jazz club feel in its instrumentation. And, just for fun, I immediately put on DT12's Along For The Ride.
Where FII is an airy croissant, DT12 is a Dunkin Donuts bagle. I want some DT croissants.

[RaiseTheKnife]

I used to prefer the demo version and remember having a conversation after the first FII show in October 97 with Mike Portnoy about the changes.   At the time I was surprised that he agreed with my reaction.  First time I heard it live was the demo version at Fix for 96, so I could recognize the differences.

However, I now like the album version better.  It is nicely layered and interesting, and trumps the demo's stale approach.

There are so many other songs I would like to see live, so I'm not in a terrible rush to hear this one again.  But Anna Lee would be simply fantastic.

[Cable]

Overall, I will take the demo. Bits and pieces I prefer of the studio, especially the solo. I feel the album solo (and live sax solo, as it's similar) is much better than the demo IMO. In fact, I would put that one as top two from the album.

About OT, sure! I haven't heard it live in person.