This 2009 release consists of studio demos recorded as a trial run before the actual sessions for 2001's As the Eternal Cowboy. The songs sound somewhat more immediate and raw as a demo; there's a bit more grit audible in Gabel's voice overall, and the unfinished quality carries on throughout the album where everything seems just a tad dustier and dirtier. A few songs have shorter lead-ins, and there's a brief yet triumphant intro instead of an intermission (though the two sound alike). "Unsubstantiated Rumors" is significantly different; the demo boasts a dirty, bass-heavy sound with thick guitars and powerful vocals, while the finished version relegates the bass to the background under acoustic strums, sparser delivery, and an occasional triangle ding. ~ Corey Apar
