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

[425]

I'm not really sure what people see in Anna Lee. It's a nice ballad, but it's just nice. Nothing about it jumps out at me as being great, and when I listen to FII, I tend to forget about it (I sometimes expect Trial of Tears to come in right after Just Let Me Breathe ends and then I think, "oh, right, Anna Lee"). Take Away My Pain is a far better song IMO. And though I think neither is likely to appear live, I think TAMP is more likely.

[Rodni Demental]

^^^

I felt the same way about Anna Lee. In fact, I was probably more polarised in that I practically rejected it on cheese factor alone. I think it took a comment by MP make me click. (Might have been on the 5 years in a Livetime commentary?)

He referenced The Beatles on the style he was going for with the drumming, especially in the post production flanger effects on the symbols. That's when I noticed that the studio version was less refined in that regard. There was a lot more emphasis on the effects in the demo. Also, I started noticing that the piano sounds like something John Lennon might come up with, and the guitar solo sounded like something George Harrison might have done during their late 60s era stuff. Now whenever I hear Anna Lee I think of The Beatles. 

I do however wish Mike Portnoy didn't make that anal joke in the same commentary because I also get reminded of that quite often by hearing this song.   

[cramx3]

I'm not really sure what people see in Anna Lee. It's a nice ballad, but it's just nice. Nothing about it jumps out at me as being great, and when I listen to FII, I tend to forget about it (I sometimes expect Trial of Tears to come in right after Just Let Me Breathe ends and then I think, "oh, right, Anna Lee"). Take Away My Pain is a far better song IMO. And though I think neither is likely to appear live, I think TAMP is more likely.

So is TAMP for me, I just find Anna Lee more enjoyable of a song.  I dont think either are great or really have anything that makes them stand out.

[Tomislav95]

TAMP demo is IMO so much better. Not just because of vocals but it has something special to me. On the other hand,  studio version is just a nice ballad.

[hefdaddy42]

Looking at just the music, I much prefer the demo.

However, I think the album version's music actually fits the lyrics better.

[Madman Shepherd]

Looking at just the music, I much prefer the demo.

However, I think the album version's music actually fits the lyrics better.

Interesting take on it...or a song in general.  I've never thought about it in those terms...and now I might. 

Edit: After I posted it I think I realized that is one of my main complaints of the demo is it doesn't fit the mood of the lyrics. I just never realized it or was able to articulate it. 

[hefdaddy42]

 

[rumborak]

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.