"Countdown to Apostasy" was one of the working titles for my album "Rough Cut Love." I decided not to use it, to the disappointment of some and the relief of others. One day as I'd been putting in some pretty heavy time on overdubs and mixing for "Rough Cut," I hit a saturation point, where I could not process how to continue and finish the album. I needed a brain-break, something to help me clear the muck out. I spent a long weekend recording quick and dirty alternate versions of the songs, re-imagining them and trying things I probably wouldn't otherwise if locked into some imagined set of "rules" for a "good album" or some perceived preciousness of the material. It was lots of fun. I got to know some of the songs in ways I hadn't experienced them before, and the exercise gave me much-needed perspective on the album. None of these re-imagined recordings were deemed appropriate to replace the album versions, but not because they weren't good; they just weren't right for the album. So, just for the hell of it, here are some of the alternate versions of songs from "Rough Cut Love." I've also included the 1990 version of "On Your Own," recorded when I was in The Others and a live acoustic version of "Feedback." Perhaps you'll like some of these interpretations better than the "definitive" versions that make up the album. Perhaps you won't. Either way, it's a bit of me having fun, not taking things so seriously. Thanks for listening. Joe Griffin --Countdown to Apostasy: the alternate album Cold Hands Warm Heart You Again Clearly Better On Your Own (1990 version with The Others) Feedback (live recording at Uncommon Ground, Chicago) Credits: Joe Griffin: guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals, programming on all tracks Peter Griffin: percussion, "Feedback" John Hasbrouck: slide guitar, "Cold Hands Warm Heart" Matt Kern: drums, "Cold Hands Warm Heart" Jim Kiser: drums, "On Your Own" Scott Karch: bass, "On Your Own" Andrew Magnuson: guitar, backing vocals, "On Your Own" Mike Przygoda: mandolin, "Feedback" Recorded and mixed by Joe Griffin, except "On Your Own" recorded and mixed by Michael Nehra