both versions have crept up in my playlists a bunch in the last week, so i thought it was time for a proper analysis.
though comparing the two is kind of a weird (almost moot) thing to do, as the leaked tracks were unmastered and, more importantly, remixed by other engineers that werent brion. i think theres only a handful of tracks on the leaked version that were not redone by others in order to 'pop' them up.
also, theres the whole thing where brion is my favorite musician, and elizondo...isnt. so i have my obvious biases.

but, as objectively as i can, here are all the songs:


1) Extraordinary Machine- both versions done by brion...so it doesnt count, i guess.

2) Get Him Back- it will most likely become a theme in these comparisons that i prefer the drumming on brion's takes, and this is the first example. other than that, brion's version is kind of flat. elizondo's take is a bit pumped up, and it makes for the best single on his record.
Point: ELIZONDO

3) O Sailor- a couple more sure-to-be-recurring themes: elizondo takes brion-isms (in this case, mellotron/vibraphone), waters them down, and uses them ineffectively. also, fiona's vocal tracks on elizondo's cuts always seem quite a bit more lifeless (best example: oh well). here, elizondo's take is sped up and drained of it's emotion. kooky sounds take away from good songwriting.
in brion's, the backing string accompaniment is lush, vocal track is commanding, and the piano drives the song, instead of being saturated by it. also, the tempo is much better suited to the mood of the song.
though i do enjoy the multi-tracked vocals at the end of elizondo's version
Point: BRION

4) Better Version of Me- this was the first song i'd heard from the brion cuts, and it still stands as one of the most impressive. its a good example of the 'kooky sounds' not interfering with the song, but improving it. excellent use of organs and bells overall. after hearing the first nine seconds of the leaked track, and having it be the first bit that i'd heard after 6 years without a new record, i raised my arms and let out a victorious 'YESSSS!'.
elizondo: i dont like much of his version. dont like the compressed piano. reallydont like the drumming (the half time bit kills the song). dont like the instrumental segment about 2/3 through the song. dont like fiona's lifeless vocals. i do like the addition of the horns.
brion: all the things i mentioned in the first paragraph. most of the sonic what-have-yous in this song exemplify the best of the leaked tracks.
Point: BRION

5) Tymps- i hate elizondo's cut. hate it. HATE it. it makes me mad to think about it. madder to hear it. this is the Stand Up of fiona tracks.
brion's cut isnt even that great, i just fucking hate elizondo's.
Point: BRION

6) Parting Gift- this song is gorgeous. does it count? i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Point: ELIZONDO

7) Window- this is a tougher one.
elizondo: does the watered down brion-isms (mostly with keys, but also a lot of marimba), but its not nearly as offensive as Better Version. and i guess this is just a personal pet peeve, but the bass sounds straight out of a smooth jazz track, and that bugs me. i kinda like the horn lines, but they're compressed so much that they sound like they're coming from a goddamned midi controller. fiona's vocals sound great.
brion: has a much more organic sound. horn lines sound great and sound like actual horns. fiona's vocals also sounds great. at this point, though, i'd be getting pretty tired of the constant use of chimes. its all fine for singular listening, but most songs are filled up with melodic lines played by chimes. weird artistic choice, i guess.
breakdown at 2:12 is super hip.
its a closer one, but...
Point: BRION

8) Oh Well- the vocal take on brion's cut is really impressive. very commanding and authoritative. she draws attention to the fact that she kicks so much ass. other than that, i dig how upfront the euphonium/baritone part is. all the brass on that cut is very pretty.
elizondo's cut is pretty alright. not much to say for it when compared to the original. its sped up a bit, which ends up being like o sailor...and the vocal take is slightly less awesome. just kind of 'blah', i suppose.
Point: BRION

9) Please Please Please- i actually like a lot of elizondo's additions to this song. i like all the layered electric guitar buisness. though its atypical for me, i think it compliments the song well. i like fiona's vocals on elizondo's version, too. the drummer still bugs me, but whatever.
brion's is real barebones. nothing crazy going on, but a good song.
Point: TIE (leans a bit towards elizondo, but, officially, its a tie)

10) Red Red Red- finally! a song that has an honest to goodness new arrangment...not just a sucked up versoin of the original. and, i have to say, i prefer the elizondo treatment. this was always my least favorite of the brion tracks, and elizondo picked up the slack nicely. his slower pace suits the song, the string arrangement is decent, and there is really good use of chamberlain (not watered down!).
Point: ELIZONDO

11) Not About Love- the brion version is one of my favorite songs of last year, and my favorite on the album. the elizondo version is tied for worst track along with Tymps. the drums on elizondo's cut absolutely destroy every single fucking bit of beauty and nuance that the brion version has. not to mention that lousy electric guitar. i think the elizondo cut is just gross.
those that have read this probably have heard brion's take, and dont need me to discuss why it's brilliant.
Point: BRION

12) Waltz- both versions done by brion...so it doesnt count, i guess. though Waltz has been my favorite song to perform in the last month or so. f'ing love that song.




count up all the points, and the winner is....


Brion, obv."

i just found out, because i dont really follow either very closely anymore, that tristan prettyman ended things with mr. a-z via email, on valentines day. HARSH! Ive decided email should be abolished as a form of communication outside business activities. Seriously. i threw on some of my favorite old school mraz to try to tune in and broadcast my sympathy. i think ill post some later maybe
ive totally failed with that whole singer-songwriter hiatus thing.