If I Had a Gun could have been so much better (Read 1,552 times)

[penguin2048]

The finished version is good however the song had potential to be much better, starting with the vocals. Although this song fits Noel’s voice, the particular vocal take he used for the studio version sounds completely passionless, on the demo there’s actually some real emotion behind his voice, which makes it more meaningful (https://youtu.be/kGhKlKyWXJY).

Then for the rest of the song I think it should have been a bit more laid back, with the drums taking an approach similar to something like Cast No Shadow, i would’ve laid back on the electric guitars a bit and replaced the choir/vocal harmonies present in the backing vocals for strings

[carlober]

Yeah, Noel did fuck up with the album recording of IIHAG.

I don't see it mentioned often on here, but I really like the "acoustic" mix from the "Back The Way We Came" compilation. More enjoyable than the album version, imho.

[tiger40]

Mar 14, 2023 5:40:04 GMT -5 penguin2048 said:

The finished version is good however the song had potential to be much better, starting with the vocals. Although this song fits Noel’s voice, the particular vocal take he used for the studio version sounds completely passionless, on the demo there’s actually some real emotion behind his voice, which makes it more meaningful (https://youtu.be/kGhKlKyWXJY).

Then for the rest of the song I think it should have been a bit more laid back, with the drums taking an approach similar to something like Cast No Shadow, i would’ve laid back on the electric guitars a bit and replaced the choir/vocal harmonies present in the backing vocals for strings

Yeah, I agree with you and I've always liked the demo version of the song much more than the album version. 

[Casino Boogie]

Mar 14, 2023 10:29:28 GMT -5 carlober said:

Yeah, Noel did fuck up with the album recording of IIHAG.

I don't see it mentioned often on here, but I really like the "acoustic" mix from the "Back The Way We Came" compilation. More enjoyable than the album version, imho.

Totally agree - been listening to this version a lot recently. Definitely rescues the song somewhat from the album over-production. A version like the demo of The Dying Of The Light (Noel acoustic with a few lead guitar parts) would have been perfect.

[glider]

Mar 14, 2023 10:29:28 GMT -5 carlober said:

Yeah, Noel did fuck up with the album recording of IIHAG.

I don't see it mentioned often on here, but I really like the "acoustic" mix from the "Back The Way We Came" compilation. More enjoyable than the album version, imho.

Yup, best part of the Vol. 1 collection aside from the new tracks. Basically a NGHFB...Naked mix of it. Would love to hear the rest of the album de-Sardifed like this. 

[dadrocker]

If a second verse doesn't hit him leaving Tesco's, it's never going to be any better no matter who produces it. The lack of another verse if what holds the song back and that ain't changing anytime soon.

[starkidd]

Agreed!

Drums ruin it on the album version. Takes the heart out of it.

[carlober]

Mar 16, 2023 13:34:58 GMT -5 starkidd said:

Agreed!

Drums ruin it on the album version. Takes the heart out of it.

Drums on the album version are utter shit. Muddy and lifeless with no dynamics whatsoever.

[The Chief]

Mar 16, 2023 15:48:40 GMT -5 carlober said:

Mar 16, 2023 13:34:58 GMT -5 starkidd said:

Agreed!

Drums ruin it on the album version. Takes the heart out of it.

Drums on the album version are utter shit. Muddy and lifeless with no dynamics whatsoever.

Yeah I remember how surprised I was the first time I saw them playing it live and Jeremy banging on the drums like he was trying to break a block of concrete in half. I had never seen or heard him play before so I thought it was how he played until I saw a video from Unidentified Flying Project in which they showed the recording of the song "There is a Dream" about 10 years ago. I realized he was actually a pretty good drummer capable of a lot of subtleness. So the way he played on IIHAG was definitely a request from Noel.

[yogurt]

Mar 17, 2023 5:34:20 GMT -5 The Chief said:

Mar 16, 2023 15:48:40 GMT -5 carlober said:

Drums on the album version are utter shit. Muddy and lifeless with no dynamics whatsoever.

Yeah I remember how surprised I was the first time I saw them playing it live and Jeremy banging on the drums like he was trying to break a block of concrete in half. I had never seen or heard him play before so I thought it was how he played until I saw a video from Unidentified Flying Project in which they showed the recording of the song "There is a Dream" about 10 years ago. I realized he was actually a pretty good drummer capable of a lot of subtleness. So the way he played on IIHAG was definitely a request from Noel.

The guy is actually an excellent drummer when you see him play with others.

Could be down to Sardy. Remember he got Noel and Jeremy over to LA to re-record the drums during the album recording?

Maybe the original drums were more subtle. Then live versions after that were just playing what's on the record. I've often found Sardy's producion and mixing of drums especially to sound in way that lacks dynamics, a lot of compression and can often make the drum performances sound heavy handed.