Got my copy of Mood Swings II tonight and I instantly ripped off the wrapper and popped it in for a listen.
First off, the packaging is really nice. Typical Frontiers CD/DVD digi with great artwork. The DVD contains in studio documentry about the recording of MS2 and individual stems for the songs Saviors, Justice and Change. A really nice bonus for musicians and will make me want to learn the songs and play Pete's guitar parts. Amazing feature, well done.
Now, I've only been a fan of this band for a year or maybe a little longer, mainly due to this very thread and of course, the jingle man. Mood Swings really was something I was looking for and became an instant classic, that possibly could enter my top 50 very soon. It feels like I've known the album for years, such an underrated piece.
Now, here's the funny thing about this release, it's really hard to see the point of this. The songs are performed really well and once you get adjusted to listening to this new version, there's really nothing new here that warrants this at all. It sounds great but all in all, there's no real improvement but considering the performances and energy of the original, this isn't a let down. At times things sound a little forced, but really, the band have re-created this almost note for note that at times you think you are listening to a remixed version of the original.
Now, I'm speaking about the thing as a whole but there are a couple of exceptions. Mandy has a different feel from Pete and represents his style more these days than his style back in the early days. I know that sounds weird but musicians might understand what I mean. Guitarists still sound like guitarists but of course over time, their style changes a little as they progress. I actually might prefer this version of Mandy.
Darren sounds great on Sentimental Blvd, a bit harder and maybe better than the original.
If There Was A Time is also played the same, but this also has a bit of a different feel. It's nice.
Just Like I Planned was the only song on Mood Swings that felt a little out of place. I loved what they did with it and it was a nice feature, but for me it was just a novelty. This is a completetly different version with Harry, Pete on acoustic and a couple of extra choirs chucked in for good measure. This version is incredible and I prefer this way more than the original. Pete's little guitar solo is wonderful too, this version fits so well. This is what I was looking for a bit more from this release.
The rest (after first listen) are just as good as the originals. You guys that have known the album a lot longer might be able to pick up on a lot more difference, and while yes, it is different in places, not enough to really warrant it IMO, but it's still great and Harry still has the pipes and hits all the notes he needs to.
Now, we get to the best part of the album the three new tracks;
World Gone to Pieces is one of the greatest songs the band has ever done, the chorus is absolutely incredible. This song is worth the purchase, wow.
Anarchy is a bit darker but with another catchy as hell chorus. A very solid second new track.
Brighter Day reminds me a bit more of Harry's last solo album but a bit heavier. Love Pete's guitar lines and another knockout chorus.
A new album with this sort of quality would just kick all sorts of ass. Good release, although a little pointless at times.