Ran Away - Compound Red

Ran Away - Compound Red

3:43

The Center Never Moves, 1990

Written by Compound Red

This DIY band from Wisconsin broke up in 1999, and this song was only released on a cassette on no label, but thanks to the magic of Spotify, everyone around the world can enjoy its lo-fi ambition.  It's got a jangly, slightly dissonant post-punk that carries a whiff of early-90s slacker energy.  The production is strictly garage-level, but the attitude level is high.  The singer turns his high, strident voice into a punchy growl at the ends of the lines, the guitars shimmer, while the drummer is positively cracking away at the kit.

The Piper Came Today - Willie Nelson

The Piper Came Today - Willie Nelson

3:23

Born For Trouble, 1990

Written by Willie Nelson

A decent enough country ballad of regret, slow, spare, and laced with pedal steel.  It's not entirely clear what the cost is that the narrator had to pay the piper, whether it's a love who walked out the door or something deeper, but it hit hard, whatever it was.  "And the sweeter played his music / The more is added to the bitter price."  Nelson's vocal is sharp and clear, the highlight of the sparse production.  It's not one of Nelson's greatest efforts, but when you're as great and as prolific as he is, even the throwaways have something to offer.

Battleship Chains - Hindu Love Gods

Battleship Chains - Hindu Love Gods

3:08

Hindu Love Gods, 1990

Written by Terry Anderson, 1985

This song was written by the front man of a little-known band called Woods and made famous by the Georgie Satellites.  Woods released their own version in 1987.  I haven't heard either band's take on it, just this one.  Zevon's muscular vocals carry the day here.  Its lyrics consist of verse, chorus, same verse as before, chorus, same verse as before, chorus.  Super repetitive, but its catchiness helps.  There was just something magical about the collaboration of R.E.M. and Zevon and we're lucky to have it on wax.  Tape.  The cloud.

After Hours - A Tribe Called Quest

After Hours - A Tribe Called Quest

4:39

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990

Written by Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, & Jarobi White 

With a title from a sampled Richard Pryor line and a laid-back, lo-fi sound, this song is sort of an anti-Public Enemy track.  Not brash or loud, neither bragging nor raging, just telling a dreamy story about hanging out and rapping about music late into the wee small hours.  The album made many best of lists and is still celebrated.  Shoe-gaze hip-hop isn't really my bag, but I enjoy appreciate a good story song as much as the next guy.  The is probably the best ever rap song containing the nocturnal calls of frogs.