Tom played the JLC in London Ontario to open for John Mellencamp, and blew John off the stage....  This accoustic album is alway beside my cd player, though you may like the original better, this is a great change of pace.  I must admitt, the first time I heard it, I didn't know what to think...but I gave it a chance, and a few listens later, it is one of my favorite listens.  Raw, and bare...just a great artist with his guitar...  I had a pleasure to sit in the controlroom of a rock radio station, with only 2 other people, as Tom played live with just his accoutic guitar.  He was amazing.  I've alway thought his albums were too over produced.  To hear the real Tom, give his accoustic album a listen.  Don't rush to judgement to quickly, listen a couple of times...it will become one of your favorites too.  Thanks for this Tom...!

It took me a few years, but I finally heard this version of Lunatic fringe today. It sucks. I love Tom, and I think he is a great guy and writes great songs, but when he is doing anything solo he needs someone to keep him rocking. Kenny Greer made this a great song with his guitar playing and you definitely know he's not here. This is so weak it's pathetic, at least compared to the power of the original. The mandolin does not cut it. You cannot replace power chords and that pedal steel guitar solo with a mandolin! Ouch. I hope I don't have the misfortune to hear this version ever again. Tom, what the Hell were you thinking?!!!

You people are friggin' morons.  Do you not understand what Tom Cochrane did for the music industry in a time of absolute crap disco and boring r&b.  Christ,  his stuff was one of the few worth listening to in a sea of crap.  I think this acoustic version is brilliant.  Anyone who does not play an instrument can kiss my ass.  Until you have tried to play with no amplifiers and trick pedals to make something simple sound great than you can criticize what you know.  As far as I can see, everyone who has something negative to say is apparently "sick" of the old version.  DUH!  It's been around since you were walking in diapers ya freakin' snot nosed shits.  

Please. make it stop.

What\'s so good about this song? I never liked the original which RP plays and now we get to hear the acoustic of this song. Overrated.

Exactly !

Eh. Doesn\'t work for me. This song isn\'t about the words, it\'s the power chords and production. Well, that\'s how I hear it - and I\'m not hearing it on this version.

Original is way better, and even it wasnt that great

My vote goes to the original Red Rider. This acoustic version is OK, but I prefer the more rocking original.

Ummm, Tom Cochrane was Red Rider, he's doing an acoustic version of his song...

It's a song from the 80's about crap haircuts - David Sylvian, Justin Haywood & that flock o' seaguls guy. lunatic fringe

Dunno if that\'s a mandolin or a geetar with half the neck capo\'d, but it sounds awesome... I know the lunatic fringe is out there... He keeps popping off my neighbors. I\'ll be glad when they get the \"Washington Sniper\" Queue

Thank GOD someone finally redid this song. I absolutely was so sick of hearing Red Riders version. Red Rider had a few good songs but unfortunately no one ever played them. Good riddance.

HA HA HA HA!!! Too funny!

Great song! This, and of course his original, always makes me think of all the religious zealots that are lurking around now a days...

Hey, the original sure rocks harder -- I love it -- but there\'s much more nuance in his voice in this version. Love that acoustic gee-tar too. Plenty of room for both in the RP playlist.

I personally like this remake better than the original.... makes me wonder what the original would sound like if done more acousticly... :)

I agree with Dog. The original version was pretty great. This \"remake\" is good though, don\'t get me wrong.

Love this song. Reminds me of that old movie Vision Quest of which the original became famous. Let\'s hear that old original sometime.

:) Nice version.....i like em both.