Song Guide

First, a few notes about the demo:

• My copy is very clearly a recompressed MP3 copy. I apologize. I don't think this is how it was originally sold to people. If someone has a lead on an original CD-R (for this or the 2004 demo, really), get in touch, I'll buy it. ("Little Lover's" update: this track came in a different bitrate than the rest, and I don't think that was from my source. Really, as far as generations go, I'm operating in the dark here, but I suspect these were MP3s to begin with, burned to CD-R, ripped at 192kbps, and then transcoded to 320kbps. Messy stuff, another reason I'd like to re-rip the original in lossless one day.)
• It's been reported that 18 songs were recorded in all and each copy had a different bonus track. I now have one of these, the early "Little Lover's So Polite".
• These were not recorded all in the same sitting. The "Kissing Families" was recorded in January 2002, and I suspect others were mostly done in 2003. It's definitely Chris' drums on the other tracks, but Joe isn't on this demo, so it certainly predates his entry into the band.

1. Well Thought Out Twinkles: Very early version that starts with the bridge of the Carnavas version. Slower than the final. Brian's vocals are under heavy effects throughout the track, and there's no lyrics on the later bridge at all.
2. Dream at Tempo 119: Slower than the later 2004 demo (actually around 119bpm), but the arrangement is very similar, right down to the ambient sounds of cars. Brian's vocals are a little scratchy and off-key (and affected, naturally), but generally okay.
3. Kissing Families: Is actually the earlier Pine Marten split version of the song, which was recorded in 2002. The band must've held onto this version as they felt it was a strong showing. I'm inclined to agree. Much slower than the later 2004 demo/Pikul version, but very similar arrangement.
4. The Fuzz: True to my speculation, this is in fact the Pikul version. It's very roughly mixed; the two drum tracks throughout are at very different levels, which doesn't help the ragged MP3 compression any. Mark's backing vocals are far more audible, and the guitars are pushed down in the mix. You can really hear how neutered the bass on the Pikul mix is compared to this.
5. Lazy Eye: A very early version, in fact slower than the 2004 demo. Very pleasant, with some whale noise guitar in the verses which I can only guess is Kennedy's doing because it's not in any other version. Brian's vocals are very quiet, very shy, and the bridge sees him burying them in effects again. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same arrangement, right down to Nikki's harmonizing post-bridge. Possibly my favorite version of the song to date.
6. Little Lover's So Polite: The fabled, uncirculated early version. "Long, slow, and strange" was how Brian described it, and that's apt, but I'd add "peaceful" to the end of that. Totally different structure, no Nikki singing bit, unfinished lyrics, and a much slower tempo. Neat version, and a curious look into how the band would come to rebuild songs later in their career. (Many thanks to Renan Lopez for sharing this one, as my copy didn't come with it.)

Here's my full copy of the demo. (If you previously downloaded it, there's an extra track in there now, so redownload.)