The first example I can think of is the Zephyr Mix of Depeche Mode's In Your Room - that guitar adds so much to the atmosphere of the song. I also prefer the 1992 single version of Even Flow by Pearl Jam to the Ten version, simply because it's actually in D and not a quarter step higher like on the album, which bugs me as I have perfect pitch
The acoustic versions of Far Away and Eternity Part III on the reissue of Anathema's Eternity (as well as the version of Angelica on Hindsight) also sound nicer to me than the album versions, because the production of the record is so muddy. Finally, there's the 2008 remake of Sonata Arctica's Wolf & Raven, which is vastly superior to the original run-of-the-mill shreddy power metal arrangement.
Porcupine Tree. They did a remake of "She'smovedon" originally on the Lightbulb Sun album. The new version appears as a bonus track on Deadwing and it is miles better..
Really? I mean, I knew this, but the last time I checked I couldn't tell the difference.
I’ve never understood the need for that remake. I think the original is better, also from a purely sonic standpoint.
I was reading Gavin's Rhythmic Composition book - which includes transcriptions of various PT songs for drums and his comments on them - in the library once, and it included a story regarding that remake. He said that an American radio DJ loved Shesmovedon and promised he would play the hell out of it on his station if PT re-recorded it. They did, but lo and behold, it never got any airplay.