Let's get some accurate data here with biases noted.

I voted for the old one, not because I really like it better, but because I think back then - in 2000 - was a much better time to have "Exorcising Demons" on a Features album. Back then, the song was still fresh. As stated in another post, I've heard it waaaaay to many times. I'm not saying I'm sick of it, because I would still love for them to play it at shows every once in awhile. But I do not think it belongs on an album in 2004.

"Circus" is actually even older than "Demons," but, I would venture to guess, has not been played nearly as many times over the years. Circus debuted at the very end of the first lineup, I think. When I first started seeing the Features in 1999, they were playing it every show. But then, sometime in early 2000, "Circus" kind of went into semi-retirement, and for the next two or so years, it was a rare treat. Not until it won the Inaugural FeaturesNCAA Tournament in 2002 did it begin to snowball into a standard again. Meanwhile, "Exorcising Demons" debuted in late 1999, but has been played at nearly every show since. So it feels much older than "Circus." Plus, there has never been a proper recording of "Circus" until now.

I was honest in voting, but I don't really think the Self factor has much to do with it. Yes, because Mahaffey did it, it gets extra cool points (and yeah, I'd even apply that to the new Luna Halo record, even though they seem very unpopular here (I've never heard them)), but just having his name on it doesn't really give it extra sound points. But his production of it, I must say, is better: the guitars sound much better, it sounds like a livelier song in general, and the "breakdown" is quite superior to the new one. I mean, the guitars just don't sound right on the new one...

Which brings me to the Features' performance. I've said it a million times by now, but yeah, the loss of those vocal harmonies on the chorus really do hurt the song. I think fstop mentioned on another thread that Roger now plays the same little bass bit over and over on the verse instead of the more varied original. I do like the extra scream just before the breakdown (I *think* that's an innovation over the Mahaffey version), but that's about all the new version "improves" upon.

So yeah, I like Self, and I think it's cool that they worked together. But that has nothing to do with what sounds better.

Before the album came out, I was very indifferent towards "Demons." I had heard it so many times and I didn't think anything could make it sound fresh. Then, "Exhibit A" comes out and the song sounds new, fresh, exciting, and I can't miss it. I like the Mahaffey productions okay, but after hearing "Exhibit A", they sound way too produced and poppy. The "Demons" on the album sounds like the "Demons" that I hear live at every show. So album version is better.

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!

Oh yeah, and speaking of bias: this poll should've had "I like the Exhibit A version better, and I'm a Self fan" and "I like the Exhibit A version better, but I'm not a Self fan."

Yeah, but no one's going to select "I like the Exhibit A version better" anyway.
Good efficient poll design in my book.

DavidM.

Looks like 7 people did so far.

what about "i like the old version better, but i haven't even heard Self"

....hey, i've only been in murfreesboro a year. both of their albums are at cat's, i just don't know which to get and don't have the cash for it.

I would definitely check out Gismodgery when you get a chance. Genius.

Both? Self actually has 4 studio releases, and several internet-only albums. I'm going to guess Cats has Subliminal Plastic Motives and Breakfast With Girls (SPM is more straight-forward and accessible, however, in my opinion, BWG is their masterpiece).

If you don't have the cash, I would suggest downloading some tracks from the b-side albums, just to see if it is worth your time.
http://www.selfies.com/media/

BWG is one of my five favorite albums ever. It's pretty obtuse though, and if you're looking for something to catch your ear quickly, that might not be the way to go. But it's a fantastic album..."Placing the Blame" is my favorite album closer ever.

i didn't like the old one cos it sounds like self...and i don't like self. i like the new one better because the vocal is far better. scorching. especially on the "dee-mons, bee-gone" part. plus the old one had that little wonky keyboard bit prominently in the mix (notably just before the first verse), and i didn't like that.

heh... shows what i know, huh?

it's 15 bucks, but i'll try and scrape the cash together to get breakfast with girls, then.

and when i get off work i'm totally downloading some tracks though. any suggestions?

two best downloadable self songs: "Fliptop Box" and "Glued to the Girl"

I started the Self experience with Selfafornia, and I'm glad I did: it's got "Shelf Life," "Wednesday Again," "Anything is Impossible," and an alternative version of "Suzy Q."

Other Self b-side recommendations, off of...

FEELS LIKE BREAKIN' SHIT
"Having Dinner with the Funk" (funny)
"Wide Awake At 7"
"Hey Deceiver"
"Hey Lou"

BRUNCH
"Flip-Top Box"
"Happy Accidents" (hard to get used to, but good)

VARIOUS
"Busy Sending Me"
"Marry A Model"
"Permagrin"
"Potential"
"Resurrect"!!!
"Rusted and Used"

But dontstaylong, go here if you want a nice sampling of Self's album material - the radio singles. "Cannon" and "So Low" are off the alt-rock-ier Subliminal Plastic Motives, "KiDdies" is off the almost guitarless Half-Baked Serenade, "Meg Ryan" is off their big album masterpiece Breakfast With Girls. "Trunk Fulla Amps" was recorded solely with toy instruments on Gizmodgery, and it's probably the best place to start. VERY fun/cool/funny song. And finally, "Grow Up" is off their unreleased new album, Ornament & Crime. All great songs.

(Edited by Jakob Dorof at 3:43 pm on Oct. 14, 2004)

Well...since I've only heard the version on "Exhibit a" I would have to say that one is pretty damn good...but now Im curious as to what the other one sounds like, so I could judge better...