Hero Ran
The inner dialogue of our conflicted protagonist. Another piece intended as part of a “concept album” which I had actually made a booklet and story to go along with, now lost. Recorded on the same day as Word Is Out.
A year or so after moving to Portland, I found myself living in a rather nice apartment by myself. Making the best of the circumstances, I spent a couple of weeks trying to record a song every night. I finally had the ability to record with a PC, so this is the first time my music had reasonable production.
Driving guitar sound, and yeah you can tell I used to smoke. Part of a series of songs I wrote as a sort of romantic “concept album,” but, you know how those things go.
A mellow pearl, written under the influence of the Velvet Underground. Started playing around with the sample of myself playing guitar at different speeds, I got an effect I really liked. I later re-recorded this with a band.
Two dueling acoustic guitars, two vocals, computer-generated drums and bass… some of the vocals were regrettable but I didn’t save the multitrack, so I was never able to revisit it and give it the love it probably deserved. All the love came later. Favorite moment is the breakdown at around 1:15. Not sure where that…
It means “I be money” and that’s the goal. No idea what it meant when I wrote it, just thought it fit its place in the song. Wasn’t entirely convinced as to what I was singing there anyway, just let inspiration run its course. Sound of hammering notes from electric piano was a pleasant surprise.
An early draft of a song that would later become Tellin a Lie. And get a lot better.