I re-watched the Palladium version of "In This Twilight" again tonight. I really do like what Garson added to the song, he's amazingly talented and I like hearing alternate takes on songs I love. But I think I'll always prefer the original recording of it.
Trent mentioned that he felt like he "hid the song" but honestly? That's what I love most about it. I like that the prettiest parts of the song are sort of hidden under that layer of noise. When I think about the larger context of the Year Zero story: a harsh, hateful world where humanity seems to be in its final stages - "In This Twilight" feels like something precious that was hidden away. It's as if the song is the last lovely thing on earth and somebody was trying to protect it by burying it somewhere.
I can't say enough about that song, it really is beautiful. Hope, regret, longing, grief: you hear it all in there, which makes it a truly authentic representation of the human experience. I've had more than one big, ugly cry to that song. I don't think it needs improving whatsoever, but that's just me and I'm no musician.