Alternate tracklists

[Carnage]

Nothing new that bands sometimes reissue albums with different tracklists - whether the existing tracks are reordered, alternate takes/mixes of tracks are used, or tracks are added, removed or switched out for others.

The discussion of Invaders on The Number Of The Beast, and the album's running order in another thread reminded me of the debate about Total Eclipse: should it have been included instead of Gangland or inserted into the tracklist as it was on the 1998 remastered CD (no to both as far as I'm concerned, it's not a great song)?

If I was forced to change it I'd ditch 22 Acacia Avenue as the whole Charlotte The Harlot thing is cringeworthy, but I'm happy with the album as it is, I grew up with those songs in that order. But for the craic I had a go at reordering them in another way that flowed well, stuck it below. If I absolutely had to include Total Eclipse I'd slip it in between Invaders and Run To The Hills.

Just wondering whether there were any examples of albums you'd alter in a similar way, ditch tracks that don't belong or take from the overall impact of the whole, or add glaring omissions from B-sides, EPs, etc.? Or even breaking filler-heavy double albums, or 'twin' albums like Load/Reload or the Use Your Illusions down into better quality single albums?

1. The Number Of The Beast
2. Gangland
3. The Prisoner
4. Children Of The Damned
5. Invaders
6. Run To The Hills
7. 22 Acacia Avenue
8. Hallowed Be My Name

[Ducky]

Seeing as I was the one pissing meself about Invaders, that has to go 

I got into Maiden around the release of those 1998 remasters, so I've never known TNotB without Total Eclipse. And it's a better song than at least three from the album (Invaders, 22, Gangland, probably Run To The Hills as well, never really liked that song).

Am also a fan of the title track kicking off side two.

I'd stick TE in between CotD and 22 - poor pacing have two six minute plus songs sitting next to each other.

[Carnage]

I see there was a recent reissue of TNOTB with Total Eclipse replacing Gangland altogether, vinyl I presume. I just never took to the song.

Same with Sanctuary, never liked it and inserting it into the '98 reissue of the debut really grated. See also: Killers and Twilight Zone, though that's a decent song at least.

[Ducky]

I'm having a wee moment here - how many of those '98 reissues have alternate tracklists, because most of my knowledge of Maiden comes from them and I'm realising that my youth was basically a lie 

I know Powerslave and SSoaSS are correct due to having them on tape, and I bought an ancient Canadian CD pressing of Somewhere In Time from a lad at school, so is it just the fist three they dicked with?

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

22 Acacia Avenue is a great song, but no doubt those tabloid lyrics (i.e. page 3 mixed with conservative moralizing) could have done with (no pun intended) a quick once over.

Tis a good topic! If we're talking strictly keeping all the songs but just rearranging the order, I know we've done the Black album on here before, opening with Sad But True.

[jpm4]

Am thinking of the latest Primordial album - if you drop the weakest song from the second half and move the Victory Has 1000 Fathers song to second last, then this album works much better.

[Carnage]

I'm having a wee moment here - how many of those '98 reissues have alternate tracklists, because most of my knowledge of Maiden comes from them and I'm realising that my youth was basically a lie 

I know Powerslave and SSoaSS are correct due to having them on tape, and I bought an ancient Canadian CD pressing of Somewhere In Time from a lad at school, so is it just the fist three they dicked with?

Sanctuary, Twilight Zone and Total Eclipse weren't on the original releases of the first three - although some Japanese and U.S. releases featured them. The coda to Phantom Of The Opera is omitted on the '98 reissue I think. Powerslave (the song) has the intro tacked onto the end of the previous track. Not sure about POM, SIT and SSOASS, I think they're as they were. A track on either No Prayer or FOTD has an extra verse, might be Mother Russia. I think there are a couple of other bits but that's all I can think of at the moment.

[Trev]

Didn't realise there was so many differences! I've only ever had the 98 cds so might try tracking down a few of the originals

[Carnage]

The 2015 remasters are reset to the original set ups, plus they sound great. The 1995 versions have the original albums on disc one, B-sides and extra songs on a bonus disc.

[londonleatherboy]

The 2015 remasters are reset to the original set ups, plus they sound great. The 1995 versions have the original albums on disc one, B-sides and extra songs on a bonus disc.

ya the cds are superb..especially the first album..having grown up with the 98 remasters the 98 version is a lie

[Maggot Colony]

Great topic. Metallica spring to mind straight away. I was listening to Justice last week and it's quite bloated. Removing One would make it a bit leaner. The album would still contain 8 tracks, and would be just under an hour in length.

(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth could be removed from Kill 'Em All. It's a bit pointless, and ruins the flow of the album. Sorry Cliff.

 

[Carnage]

100% agree on Anesthesia, I could never fathom why it was included. Leave the solo tracks to the jazz wankers.

[Emphyrio]

Ah here, ye're mad.

[Maggot Colony]

I love Kill 'Em All, but Anesthesia shouldn't have been released. It's not even good enough to be a B-side.

[Trev]

Always skip it these days, it'd be grand as a live piece but no need to be on the album. Might have been interesting if James and Kirk were involved and they made it into a full instrumental piece