I like this version a lot better, but I'm pretty lame, and I have a whole bunch of purple ponies dancing in here right now. The biggest problem with the other recording was the cheap ass distortion. WAAAY too gained to sound heavy. It's like when I listen to old ZZ Top records...like Fandango (sp?)...the beauty is in the tone, and if you listen closely, there's NOT a ton of distortion on that album, but it's very meaty. I personally would dig hearing a hybrid version that would allow you to still keep some of the edge AND the tone. Did you resing it? I'm not comparing them side by side, but the vocal seems to fit better now.
I think you could bump the bass up a notch. Yes, we all do better with real drummers, lol. Nice job man.