Swordfishtrombones

I enjoy Tom Waits more when I consider his albums less of "music" and more as musical stories/poems. The imagery, the instrumentation, the narration are superb. I can close my eyes listening to a Tom Waits album and feel as if I'm swept away to somewhere else.

Tom Waits is a masterful poet and storyteller. While I know that one of his influences was Captain Beefheart, but, to me, the two are very different. Waits' songs make sense to me. I totally enjoyed this album. "In the Neighborhood," "Swordfishtrombones," and "Johnsburg, Illnois" really hit the mark. "Johnsburg, Illinois, although short, is a beautiful, bittersweet song, maybe about Waits' wife. The piano, until the end of the vocals, matches the feeling of the lyrics, sad, but sweet. Once the vocals end, the piano becomes discordant, maybe how Wait's feels without his wife. I would definitely listen to this one again.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this dark and multifaceted album. The titular song was my favorite.

A great album. At the start of Waits’ turn into experimentalism, parts are maybe a little too derivative of Beefheart (even the title is reminiscent of a Trout Mask Replica) but it stands on its own in the genre. My appetite of the weirdo stuff isn’t inexhaustible but I’m generally up to give this a spin.

Tom Waits fulfills the potential he displayed in his 70s era, now using unconventional instrumentation and songwriting techniques to create a rock album that sounds like no other artist, and yet it works really well. It's weird, groovy, and exotic, with a small mix of late night jazz club. It works because despite how strange and unfamiliar it all sounds, I find it to be quite a coherent record, with pieces smoothly transitioning between each other. This makes up for weaker tracks like "Dave the Butcher" to have a fitting purpose. It also works because we have 15 songs in 42 minutes, with only a few of them going much longer than 3 minutes. So you get a sample of all these different ideas and inspirations, and if you get bored of any of them, you can likely just wait a minute for the next one to come through. He's still pretty new at this, and comparing it to Rain Dogs, you can see he would have even more potential. We hear more songs here with weaker ideas that don't work too well but are still cool. There are also fewer strong tracks that blow you away. But in the end, we have a highly coherent experimental record that will blow your ears away, and is pretty hard for even casual listeners to shrug off. Favorites: Underground, Shore Leave, 16 Shells, Swordfishtrombone, Down Down Down

How has it taken me almost 40yrs to discover this album? I feel like I’ve rolled around in smashed malt liquor bottles. I love it and hate it but mainly love it.

Really enjoyed this. Such a mix of moods and styles yet still all hanging together well as an album.

Rock de Tom Waits. Un 4.

One of the more surprising things this exercise has given me is an appreciation for the sourpuss known as Tom Waits. I find him to be a better songwriter - and vocalist, Waits almost sounds like Howlin' Wolf - than Leonard Cohen, and I've even come around to enjoying his versions over the covers made famous by other artists (See: Eagles, "Ol' 55"; Springsteen, "Jersey Girl"). The songs were Tom Waits lets loose here really slap. There are apparently 5 Tom Waits Albums on the list. Seems high? Maybe. But those 5 do not include his debut album "Closing Time", which to my ears is his best album. This one isn't far behind. Your mileage may vary when it comes to Tom Waits, but I find it's always best to just sit back and let that motherfucker take you on a journey.

A bit of a bummer immediately after rain dogs. Still good, but nothing that spoke to me like it did.

Good enough but probably won’t be looking for more of his music anytime soon.

Tom Waits, makes music, for humans, with problems.

The sound of a carny having a midlife crisis. Perfect.

Dave the Butcher sounds like a 60s bootleg Town With No Cheer sounds like the game Phoenix Wright when your client is in jail. In the Neighbourhood is just pretty Overall a bit disjointed, but I enjoyed myself

Not really my area but quite interesting. 7/10 Fave: Swordfishtombstone

Challenging but we’ll worth it.

Tom waits is definitely growing on me. I used to think his voice was weird but the more I listen to him, it's almost soothing, and it connects to his music very well. I liked this album a lot!

I have not yet fallen love with the music of Tom Waits...as in, I don't find Tom Waits to be the answer to question, "Oh, you know what I want to listen to right now?" But I have enjoyed gaining more exposure to his music, and I see falling in love as a possibility. This album was fun with a nice variety of tunes.

Claaassic

Tom Waits is amazing. Love his weirdness and the songs it delivers, even if this album wasn’t his best 8/10

4/5. ZANY. All over the place. Probably a grower. Gonna have to revisit this one

Ungulates! The ungulates are coming! Clomping their way to the firey fairground of hellllllll! Five Tom Waits albums on this list is ridiculous, but this is probably my favourite of the four I've heard so far. It hits the sweet-spot between the relentless demonic rhythm of Bone Machine, and the mish-mash of styles on Rain Dogs. It is varied, but still sounds like a piece and suits Waits' voice throughout. 4/5.

ne slušah ovaj album nikad, ali dobro je da je iskočio. ovo mi parira Rain Dogsu, tu je, u tom smjeru, dobro da nije poput Bone Machine-a. Ovaj album je koktel eksperimentalnog rocka/bluza/poezije/đeza/storytellinga sa nekakvim mračnim cabaretom - a i samo ime albuma me nekako podsjeća na bućkuriš. bojim se da bi ovaj album mogao čak biti jednak kao Rain Dogs ili čak za nijansu bolji? nije to grijeh, ali vrijeme će reći i koliko puta okrenem album - rekao sam si. ***nastavak: okrenuo sam si album, i mogu reći da je bolji od Rain Dogsa, fluidniji je! dakle iznenađen pravo. u top 3 njegova albuma lagano je uletio. jače je od četvorke, ali nije petica...još.

I'm fairly familiar with Tom Waits but I've never sat through one of his albums front to back, and I don't know how this will go since his music can be challenging at times. Turns out it's not too bad, I think going in already knowing what was to come helped but I was able to get into it and really enjoyed his mad jazzy carnival. Tom's such a weird cat, I love it.

Truth be told: I'm a big fan of his Tom and piano style. He is such a good storyteller and this is less conducive with the louder style although he nails the storytelling on ballads like In The Neighbourhood where the piano is replaced with horns, etc. The album is very good and he has some classic songs with this louder experimental style. I guess he couldn't do only Tom and Piano forever. This is a good transition album but the 5s are reserved for Tom and his piano.

Tom Waits is about as polarizing an artist you can get. I see lots of 1s and 5s here. It’s so hard to peg his style and that’s probably what I like most about him. But I get it, he’s not for everyone and is an acquired taste. Art rock, blues, jazz, spoken world, you name it, it’s here. This is a minor masterpiece.

Wow - captivating & very, very different.

yeah, okay, i can vibe with this.

I was a bit sceptical about more Tom Waits but this was great

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Underground, In the neighbourhood

The first of the great Tom Waits albums.

Glorious genre spanning wizardry. The first of three genuinely game changing albums from one of the best american songwriters of all time. Not everything will hit with everyone but the audacity on display here deserves at least a 4. 4/5

El disc que marca la nova etapa de Tom Waits, allunyant-lo del jazz rock tabernari i endinsant-lo dins el seu propi univers sonor. Aquí va començar tot. Jo el valoro més com a món creat a partir dels instruments, arranjaments, veu i lletres que com una col.lecció de cançons; no n'hi ha cap que destaqui especialment... però si estàs disposat a deixar-te emportar, els llocs on et transporta són gairebé tan reals com la vida mateixa... i gairebé tan obscurs

не ну норм, хриплый голос, минималистично. На семплы разобрать можно, а так-то я не шарю в томе ваще

Atmospheric album imbued with compelling storytelling. I was transported to another world instantly - one of a sailor who has travelled all over the world, estranged from his wife ("Shore Leave"), an Aussie jackaroo, a soldier. The bleak exploration of the loneliness, disenfranchisement and time's harsh tendency to just go on and leave us behind, was soulful. Loved "Town with no Cheer" - such clever lyrics (e.g. referring to train tracks as a xylophone). Shout out to Swordfishtrombone too, more excellent storytelling and clever lyrics. Almost cried while listening to "Soldier's Things". Enjoyed the unnerving rhythm and poetry of Trouble's Braids - that fell into rap territory. Quite a hopeless song to (almost) end on but couldn't have been more perfect for an album by a musician who explores the "underbelly of society". Discovering albums that truly broaden my horizons, the way Swordfishtrombone did, is the reason I signed up for 1001albums. This album did a brilliant job of showcasing stories about people and places from which most of us "well off" modern city folk are far removed. It was captivating. Loved the jazzy, bluesy and rock inspired instrumentals too. I imagine this album was ground-breaking at the time. I haven't given it a 5 because personally, I didn't find it entertaining on a musical level - more a storytelling one, which is great but I do like to feel music in my body as well as my mind/emotions. Will definitely be coming back to this one.

Lovely and sleazy in equal measure.

not your ordinary rock album, the first song is reminiscent of some dwarf fantasy song. The next one sounds like the opening of a detective. Everything supported by Tom's unique voice.

Didn't like the butcher however overall it was beautiful

Con Bone Machine sono diventato un fan di Tom Waits quindi le mie aspettative erano molto alte e oltre tutto il fattore sorpresa non c'era con questo album. Il risultato dell'ascolto è un album che non mi ha pienamente convinto ma che comunque è sicuramente di altissimo livello. L'ho trovato forse un po' lento a partire e un po' meno coerente di Bone Machine, ma comunque racchiude dei pezzi che mi hanno colpito parecchio tipo In the neighborhood o la title track stessa, o anche Soldier's Things. Nei punti in cui è meno a fuoco sembra un po' troppo improvvisato. Mi sento un po' triste a dare 4, però 5 per coerenza non lo merita rispetto a Bone Machine. È un 4 diverso dagli altri 4.

a most eloquent gravel road

I don't listen to Tom Waits often but I always enjoy how different his style and songs are

Waits is a badass and I could listen to his voice for days

Another strange one by the master of strange. Liked this one more than the last of his I reviewed.

3.5/5. I guess I don't really understand Tom Waits. I don't really like his voice, and I find it hard to listen to. I think I just need to get more adjusted to it. For me, that takes away from the music and makes it less enjoyable. I do think the songs on here do have great artistic value and I do appreciate it.

Excellent! 4.5/5

Glad I revisited this, as it's better than I remembered. Still not a huge Waits fan, but I appreciate his beatnik-blues persona thing, and here it is combined with experimental touches. The whole thing is compelling, and I feel each song taking me on a weird narrative journey. 4*

Truly amazing album, only overshadowed by being released just prior to Rain Dogs, one of the greatest albums of all time.

My first impression was pretty negative. I really didn't like his growly voice. At about 3:30 into Shore Leave I was basically asking "wtf am I hearing?" I had a similar reaction to 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six. His voice was more tolerable on later songs like Swordfishtrombone and Soldier's Things. I kept thinking "I'd probably like some of this music if it weren't for his voice." On my second listen I found myself getting past his voice and enjoying the music more. On the third listen (I'm persistent) I even started appreciating his voice more (3:30 into Shore Leave still made me say wtf, but I started to like his style on 16 Shells). As I write this, I'm on my fourth listen and this album is growing on me like a fungus. I'd say after one listen I was at a 2 because I liked the music and hated his voice. I wrote a note at the time: "If he wasn't singing like he just gargled battery acid, this might be a good album." By third listen I was at 2.5 and rounding to a 3. On my fourth listen, I'm at 3.5 almost 4. I'm going to keep it at a 4 to acknowledge that this was a difficult album to get into, but it's clearly an album that rewards attention and multiple listens.

Love me some Tom Waits and this album is always toward the top of my list. 4.5/5

This is equal part Louis Armstrong, Randy Newman, and Sesame Street. I half-expected "Daddy Would You Like Some Sausage?" by Tom Green to start playing at some point. Still - this shit is pretty cool. Great lyrics. I laughed a lot. I appreciated the instrumentation and Waits' successful attempt to create something different, yet familiar (at least those who like New Orleans' style jazz/blues). "16 Shells" is cool - I dig it. "Frank" and "Gin-Soaked" are also dope. And watch this - I think I want to be friends with Tom Waits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bQ1cfM13Jg

"He sounds like a living cigarette but its pretty good." I like this a lot, it's super unique

Wacky

What a trip

Fantastically interesting album. The weird sounds and jazz influenced rock really do well to compliment Waits’ twisted yet beautiful story telling. Lyrically phenomenal.

I'm a fan and listen to his music every day, so I'm biased, but the songs are achingly melancholic (eg Johnsburg, Illinois) which (if you like that sort of thing - and I do) hit the spot every time. He is an acquired taste though;.some stuff is very odd (16 shells,,, which is largely about a guitar) but once you accept the strangeness, it's fabulous and occasionally very funny (Frank's wild years). I expect at least another three of his albums to make this list, and I for one, can hardly wait.

Tom Waits is like an old jazz guy from the future.

One of Tom Waits' best albums and the beginning of his foray into the avante garde. 8.7/10

Odd, living little nuggets that feel like they’ve tumbled directly from the head of a sapient racoon and skittered off into the shadows to start a new life of their own.

WOnderful, quirky, mastermind of Tom Waits.

The album with a combination of acoustic instruments and man's vocal. It's some rock and some folk music.

I honestly had no idea that Tom Waits was anything other than the Kurt Weill by way of Captain Beefheart backed by a junkyard band kind of guy we've come to expect on recordings like Bone Machine, but it turns out that Swordfishtrombones was where all of that started. Apparently, Waits was musically restless at the time and decided to shake things up. One way he did this was by gaining access to the collection of exotic instruments compiled by percussionist Emil Richards. And Waits was wise enough to eschew the synthesizers and drum machines of the time, so Swordfishtrombones feels timeless, like it could have been recorded any time during the last 40 years. I'm guessing that Waits was also inspired by Captain Beefheart's late period albums like Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) and Ice Cream For Crow. Waits bravely opens the album with the purest version of his brand new style, as though daring his audience to reject him. But here's the thing about Swordfishtrombones--Waits doesn't stick to one style, the way he did on Bone Machine. He goes all the way from a sensitive croon to full on Howling Wolf impersonation and all stops in between. That's revealing for me, because I kind of thought that Waits' Howling Wolf schtick was actually who we was, but no. Waits puts on vocal styles like so many masks, whatever suits the characters and stories he wants to tell in a specific song. As to style, Waits has the junkyard percussion thing down, but he also does jump blues, B3 organ trio stuff, and the occasional piano ballad. For me, that makes Swordfishtrombones a very rich record. It's also beautifully performed, courtesy of a veritable who's who of musicians, including guitarist Fred Tackett from Little Feat, organist Ronnie Barron, who worked with Dr. John, and utility percussionist Victor Feldman, who has played with well, everyone. And it doesn't hurt that the lyrics are literate and frequently a hoot. Now, although Tom Waits isn't really my kind of artist, I couldn't help but appreciate the level of detail and craft lavished on these tunes. 4.5/5

Highly polarizing artist but hey I like him. I do like when he sings more and I dislike the Cookie Monster talk sing stuff.

Ken Tom Waits niet heel goed; goed plaatje!

Not as good as Rain Dogs or Heartattack and Vine, but I do like it.

My first Tom Waits album. Unmistakable gravelly voice. Lyrics evoke the poetry of Bukowski, set in strip joints, cheap bars and dirtbag motels. Clanky percussion and nightmarish organ sounds. Waits is cynical and worldweary. Dry and bitter delivery set over spare acoustic instrumentation with some elements of smoky lounge jazz.

Oh man this album is a lot. Shore Leave is wacky. 16 Shells is super cool, like an absolute killer song. from there it dumps into Town With No Cheer, which is totally different. lots of musical whiplash. In The Neighborhood is an encapsulation of the album as a whole. Frank's Wild Years is the happiest nightmare I ever did hear. Rainbirds is an excellent closer.

Has a Modest Mouse sort of vibe going on. Feels good.

Always and still prefer Rain Dogs

I need to do a mix of Tom Waits, Marianne Faithfull and Kurt Weill.

Surprisingly good! What a fun gravel voice. And other stuff.

I liked the music a lot, did not like his voice.

This album kicks off my favorite period of his career where the more creative instrumentation begins. This sound is equally as distinctive as his iconic voice, his choice of imagery and subject matter, or his tendency to incorporate spoken word into his music. He achieves a sort of timeless sound that is at once nostalgic for a vague sense of the past and yet simultaneously bleeding edge somehow. Always an iconoclast, he doubles down on it here and his play certainly paid off. Although I do appreciate this album as his career turning point, I have deeper personal connections to the albums that followed. I like how the album goes out on an instrumental number.

Love Tom Waits, didn't know this album before. Not my favorite Album of his, still good.

Soft spot in my heart for this one

Rustig en goed. Kalmerende stem met af en toe ook wat opzwependheid in

8,2

Love me some Waits!

Not as strange as I expected... good album!

16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six!

Interesting, actually

Very interesting sound

на самом деле неплохо даже, между 3 и 3.5

Tom Waits is definitely an acquired taste!

I'm not super familiar with Tom Waits' stuff, but from what I read, this album was when he really changed his style and started releasing his own music and making the music he wanted to make. This is super quirky and eclectic. I'm really all over the place with this one. There were a few songs I really liked and a couple that I just couldn't get into. Overall, however, what I like about this album is that it is interesting. It doesn't all sound the same, so it's not boring to listen to. Not sure I'd put it in my regular rotation, but I did enjoy it.

So, this guy is weird. Appreciate the experimentation but I don’t know who needs like 10 studio albums of this.

An interesting listen, for sure. I only really recognised Underground, known for its appearance in the seminal animated feature Robots, with the rest having more of a world-building purpose rather than stuff you can actually sing along to. Waits' voice takes a while to get used to, but I found his style to be rather intriguing eventually. Not quite a fan yet, however I can see myself becoming so someday perhaps. Pretty good. Favourite track: 16 Shells From A 30.6 Least favourite track: Dave The Butcher

++

Bra! Gillar Tom Waits men jag gillar några av hans album bättre. Några låtar, främst i början, är rent jobbiga att lyssna på. In the neighborhood älskar jag! Waits album är som små berättelser, vilket jag älskar. Även om berättelserna är hemska är de ändå rogivande på något sätt?!

Experimental Rock Favorite Songs: *Not recorded* Least Favorite Songs: *Not recorded* So this is a very interesting choice from this site. Heard from this guy from the Shrek 2 soundtrack…unironically. So, while this album is currently rated 2.94 at the time of me writing this small review, over on Rate Your Music, it’s got a 3.94. Similarly, it has a 95 critic score and an 83 user score over at Album of the Year. While others would find this album as a neat little gem, I’m not sure if this is something that’s for me. To me, I think it’s fine as this album might not be for everyone, but for me, the biggest issue that I have would have to go to the singer’s voice. It definitely comes across as something that seems a little too goofy for my tastes. Essentially, while this might be a neat little gem for some, I’m not sure if this is a gem worth keeping for me. (And to see the reviews that there might be more of this guy’s catalog from this site, I’m already sure that this might not be an artist for me.) 5/10

Oh, Tom. The drunk uncle I never had. As with every Tom Waits album I've listened to on this project, he's certainly a distinct sound. His compositions stay with that stage production element, spoken word, like he's just giving life advice in a somewhat apathetic way. "Rainbirds" is a really nice song though to close out the record. I'll always appreciate Tom Waits, even if his records don't fully resonate with me.

MORE Tom Waits?? ffs. i don't care how much you may or may not like this artist, he should NOT taking so many slots on this album list. fortunately, this is the last album of his i have to listen to from this list, so yay!!! Underground - 5/5 (hey it's that song from the robots movie) Shore Leave - 4/5 Dave the Butcher - 1/5 Johnsburg, Illinois - 3/5 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six - 5/5 Town With No Cheer - 4/5 In the Neighborhood - 4/5 Just Another Sucker on the Vine - 3/5 Frank's Wild Years - 2/5 Swordfishtrombone - 4/5 Down, Down, Down - 2/5 Soldier's Things - 3/5 Gin Soaked Boy - 4/5 Trouble's Braids - no rating Rainbirds - 3/5 Average score: 3.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ much like most of the albums i've heard from Tom Waits, it's a 3-star album. i think there was only one album i gave 4 stars to, and that was Bone Machine i really don't have any critiques to give this that hasn't been said already. it just sounded like more of the same shit he did in his other 3 or 4 albums. i'm just glad i don't have to listen to this man growl in my ears anymore (unless i want to for some odd reason)

Strange sound but talented guy

After listening to the first track of this album, I was prepared to extrapolate & judge this album for its off-putting atmosphere and disparate elements. But as I listened, I realized that these weren’t necessarily bad things; the last thing I want from a record is for it to be uninspired, and you can’t argue that this record isn’t full of funky sounds and imaginative storytelling. It sets a mood for sure, and it’s one I haven’t heard from any artist prior to Waits. He won me over by the end, but there’s still something lost between my personal tastes and where the album goes sonically. A personal strong three. STAND-OUT SONG: “16 Shells From A 30.6” HONORABLE MENTIONS: “Shore Leave”, “Johnsburg, Illinois”

Instantly an interesting challenge. It sounds like Banjo Kazooie. First song grew on me tho. Seems like a bit of an acid test to scare people off. Second song is fine enough. He likes his interesting sounds and yelling. Not as good or interesting content, however. I'm getting clown music vibes from this album. With a lot of hall reverb. And clanging metal. I think he's trying to project an image of some haunted, alcoholic carnie character here. I always wonder who the audience is for Tom Waites. He seems like a barfly lounge singer at times who tries to hide behind unhinged characters. When he's just at his piano he sounds alright, quite soulful, nice voice, interesting songs and stories. But at other times he likes to pretend he's a little circus goblin. Interesting dichotomy. I like about half of the songs here, and I'm bemused by the rest. Certainly is an interesting experience. You know what it is? He's being Captain Beefheart. I get it now. To be honest it's kind of boring in parts. Once the abrasive weirdness wears off, it's kind of meh.

I’m not really sure what to do with this album. I like Tom Waits but this is quite sparse and uneven. Didn’t hook me. In the Neighbourhood is a great tune mind.

Tom Waits. Brought to you, by Malboro Cigarettes. Smooth flavor. Raspy vocals.

Tom Waits, what are you going on about? And why am I so intrigued the longer it goes on?

It was okay. Unique but gets boring over time.

Bah il en faut des albums comme ça

Tom waits? Tom waits for what?

Tom Waits. What is he waiting for?

This one is relatively "easy listening" as far as Tom Waits goes. Some of the tracks are downright melodic and pretty. Of course, plenty also have his growly voice (which I like) and odd instruments.

5/10 It's fine, I guess. I quite liked 16 Shells, but mostly I found it all a bit a bit Meh...

Can’t get behind this one. Not terrible though.

It's better than The Bone Machine

Some of these tunes make me think, I get it, then others are like, I definitely do not get it.

Feels like an album designed to be played in a smoky seedy bar. Waits' vocal style doesn't always work for me, but I appreciate the creativity he brings to this album. Top tracks: Underground, Swordfishtrombone, Soldier's Things

Really enjoyed this. Am I becoming a Tom Waits fan?

Tom Waits kind of defies traditional definitions of “good.” This is often ugly and crude, but it’s also full of that indescribably seedy atmosphere he specializes in.

Underground - 3/5 Shore Leave - 3.5/5 Dave the Butcher - 3/5 Johnsburg, Illinois - 3.5/5 Sixteen Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six - 4/5 Town With No Cheer - 3.5/5 In the Neighborhood - 4/5 Just Another Sucker on the Vine - 3/5 Frank's Wild Years - 3/5 Swordfishtrombone - 4/5 Down, Down, Down - 4/5 Soldier's Things - 3.5/5 Gin Soaked Boy - 3.5/5 Trouble's Braids - 3/5 Rainbirds - 3.5/5 I guess I'm that my first experience with Tom Waits was more cabaret-focused because this is a completely different take on what he did that first time around. It's a lot more experimental, probably because his wife introduced him to Captain Beefheart and that sound definitely shows. I think I prefer this slightly more to Heartattack and Vine but it's still around a 3.5 for me. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Sixteen Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six, In the Neighborhood, Swordfishtrombone, Down, Down, Down

Album #142 Tom Waits: Swordfishtrombones I really can’t tell what kind of list this is; on one hand, it seems like a British music nerd’s wet dream with lots of “ball-knowledge” type artists (Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, etc), and on the other hand, it’s compiled of mass-consumerism type albums such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I suppose it is good to have diversity; however, and to be honest, I personally find myself somewhere in the middle of a music nerd and a mindless consumer. When it comes to Tom Waits, I have only previously heard his notorious album Rain Dogs, which is considered by many to be his masterpiece. It’s an album which I enjoyed a great deal and found to be quite an inspired project; however, I think I would be hesitant to rank it amongst my favourite albums. It wouldn’t be fair to call Waits ‘gimmicky’; however, I’m struggling to think of another word. It is clear in his albums that he is an incredible musician and creative; however, his striving for individuality sometimes comes across as trying too hard to be different for me. A lot of the time, when he’s doing his signature snarl, I can’t tell whether it’s meant to be unsettling or comedic. I get less horror movie and more Disney villain show tune. The instrumentals on this album are consistently great; however, Waits music has such a distinct style to it, which makes his work at least captivating at the bare minimum. I would describe some of the instrumentals as sounding like a sinister Donkey Kong Country soundtrack, which is pretty awesome. Waits lyricism is also on point here; one song I found notable was the Velvet Underground-esque spoken word story of a man’s demise. I definitely didn’t resonate with this one as much as Rain Dogs, but Waits is an artist whom I have a lot of respect for, and I am always going to be interested in hearing more, since you know it will never be boring (even if it isn’t always great). Best Songs: In The Neighbourhood, 16 Shells From A 30.6, Underground Worst Song: Shore Leave Score out of 10: 7.5

Underground - 3 Shore leave - 3 Dave the butcher - 3 Johnsburg, illinois - 3 16 shells from a 30.6 - 4 Town with no cheer - 3 In the neighborhood - 3 Just another sucker on the vine - 3 Swordfishtrombone - 4 Down, down, down - 3 Soldier's things - 3 Gin soaked boy - 3 Trouble's braids - 3 Rainbirds - 3

This was... interesting. I kind of liked it, but, meh. Not the most standout album

Ik heb erg mijn best gedaan, een stuk of zes keer geluisterd. Ik heb het idee dat ik dit erg goed moet vinden maar het lukt me niet. De muziek is interessant en de stem stoort mij ook niet echt. Misschien het het te theatraal, toch een musical met verschillende karakters alleen dan met een rauwe stem. Underground, in the neighbourhood en johnsburg zijn erg irritant. Maar just another sucker on the vine, soldier things en swordfish trombone is wel weer erg goed. Ik hou ook niet zo van de beat waarbij je het gevoel hebt dat je als een reus op de grond moet stampen. Het type storytelling is ook niet helemaal mijn ding. Er zijn nog genoeg tom waits albums in de lijst om er wat meer in te komen. Voor nu een 3

Really liked this one. The first song will never not remind me of the movie robots. Thought the sound and instrumentals were nice and fresh - pleasantly surprised! Would rate it higher but there were a few too many filler songs

Really enjoyed the experimental chunks of this one. But I almost wanted more and not sure I got it. Look forward to listening to some more of Tom Waits. Also felt I could hear an influence on Cosmo Sheldrake so ended up listening to that!

Sounds like most other Tom Waits albums. Gravellly voice, great stories through poetry, all boxes checked

Number: 113 Date: 04/26/2026 Artist: Tom Waits Album: Swordfishtrombones Year: 1983 Genre: Singer Songwriter Blues Rock Familiarity: Moderate (3) Rating: 3 Before: ======= Well, this should be a quite a change from the Ella Fitzgerald marathon that I completed yesterday. I do like Tom Waits a little but not a huge fan. During: ======= Yep, this is a bit unusual...I see there are 5 Tom Waits albums on The List. That's way too many for one artist. Four songs in now and this seems like basically experimentation. Probably going to give it a pretty low score mainly because he has 2 more than the max per my policy and I don't really like it very much, so far. 3 Underground 3 Shore Leave 2 Dave The Butcher 2 Johnsburg, Illinois 4 16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six 2 Town With No Cheer 3 In The Neighborhood 2 Just Another Sucker On The Vine 4 Frank's Wild Years 3 Swordfishtrombone 3 Down, Down, Down 2 Soldier's Things 3 Gin Soaked Boy 2 Trouble's Braids 2 Rainbirds ----------------------------------------------------- 2.73 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= So, I would say this is pretty much the opposite of the Ella Fitzgerald compilation I rated yesterday. 3 my personal rating 1 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 3.3 composite rating

I am always confused by this man. (Affectionate?)

How strange

have to admit I mostly liked the more conventional tracks on this. Imagine this would be a ton of fun life though

6/10

Like the brass but this album clicked less than his other one

Have been a bit of a roller coaster with Tom Waits for me. Initially wasn't very fun, then I warmed to him. But this album wasn't his strongest one. It had all the ingredients of a typical Tom Waits album: percussion mallets, ominous and mysterious sounding melodies, and so on. But it simply was a bit too slow and too much of a snooze fest for me. All other albums I've encountered with him on this list just does it better. Weak 3.

I like Tom Waits. This felt very similar to Rain dogs but not quite as good. The janky circus music wasn’t quite as fun, the blues hits weren’t quite as good. Still a fun album but I’d just recommend listening to Rain Dogs instead.

I liked it? I think? I'm not familiar with Waits' work, but this was a cool experimental rock attempt.

Unsettling!! Some good moments but hard work. Seems like a good guy. Didn't like this at all at first but got into it. "Thoroughly modern kitchen" lol

Liked this one less than Bone Machine but still super interesting over all. Mr. Waits has got some stories to tell and some instruments to play. Special call out to Sixteen Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six. That song was awesome.

I think this is the 3rd album I’ve been forced to listen to by this guy. Give it up people or person. This guy isn’t the be all and end all. Where’s Blind Melon? Where’s Bright Eyes? Creeper? Dandy Warhols? The Used? Wheeler Walker Jr? This is like white weird jazz. I can admit that it’s interesting and I can admit that it’s not bad but really, come on. This 1001 album things makes it out like this guy is the greatest artist of all time. 3 albums already? Really? Really?

Maybe Tom Waits is growing on me? I was not very excited to listen to this, but the further into it that I got the more I enjoyed it. I’m not saying I loved it or anything but it was better than expected.

Tom Waits is genuinely witty, but I have to admit that his songs are often not the most appealing

So this one is feeling more like Rain Dogs compared to Heartattack & Vine, so I'm enjoying it more than H&V. But this one is a little more vibey/chill, which is hampering it for me. It's definitely got indie movie soundtrack vibes. So yeah, solid album. Better than H&V, but not as good as Rain Dogs.

Weird. But some of it quite nice. Weird.

Creative composition but didn’t personally enjoy it much

Preferred Bone Machine. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

He’s a one of one. I dig this

I wish I heard this before Rain Dogs because it probably would’ve blown my mind. But in my opinion he really perfected this style on Rain Dogs. On this one the angry pirate songs aren’t as sharp and the crooner songs aren’t as beautiful. Some great tracks and lyrics on this tho.

Half the songs are pretty interesting, and half sound like they were made for Madagascar The Game for GameCube, not necessarily derogatory.

Definitely an acquired taste, not sure if it’s for me. It flip flops between some beautiful little tunes to some jarring ideas that don’t feel fully fleshed out IMO.

obviously this record is crazy insane but i gave it a proper chance and was honestly really impressed with his insane storytelling about war and the effects on the men who come home from it. that being said, i think tom waits is a pseudonym for a collective of artists, each one writing a different track on the record. my guesses are as follows: track one: evil pingu track two: lizard wearing a fedora track three: schizophrenic clown track four: tom waits before the other 14 killed him to use his identity track five: bubba from forrest gump track six: fat bastard from austin powers track seven: the same guy who wrote the usa’s national anthem after suffering from ptsd track eight: a sucker on the vine (autobiographical content assumed) track nine: fred (frank’s disassociated other personality speaking about his actions to create a distance from reality and self) track ten: a house fly that can play the xylophone track eleven: the local jazz bar guy (this one kinda slapped guys ngl) track twelve: a sailor track thirteen: the mountain goat from hoodwinked track fourteen: the guy behind the meat counter who has a glass eye and always seems to be holding a knife track fifteen: a woman who wants you to pay $300 for a sound bath session in the woods

Jeg gik meget skeptisk ind til lytningen af dette album, men jeg må sige, at jeg er positivt overrasket. Starter helt vidunderligt ud med "Underground". Er sgu også overrasket over tyngden af Waits stemme, der kunstnerisk kombineres med diverse instrumenter. Meget speciel måde at udtrykke sig på, men må sige, at det har tendens til at fungere!

Sounds like Mike Patton cut his teeth on this on this record. I can most definitely see this being an acquired taste. I particularly enjoyed "16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six", "Town With No Cheer", "Frank's Wild Years" (made me "lolwut?"), "Down, Down, Down", "Soldier's Things", "Trouble's Braids" and the instrumentals. Interesting album.

Interesting album with elements of folk, blues, jazz, cabaret. It's clearly experimental but in a way that each song still has a lot of familiar elements too. Not something I want to listen too all the time but I enjoyed going through it. I'm not a big fan of the spoken poetry songs but there were some highlights too like the instrumental Rainbirds and In the Neighbourhood.

Nok mere specielt og avant-garde end det er god musik, men bestemt et album, der har noget på hjerte.

Tom Waits is either a genius or some sort of joke act. I'm not sure which.

Ok

The guitar licks in gin soaked boy are great Really impressed by this wasn't expecting it

Jeg ved sgu ikke helt om det er godt eller helt ude i hampen.

I can’t decide if it’s good or bad. It had some weaker moments and some pretty awesome ones. Sounds like a classic 3 to me

Not the worst!

With all Tom Waits I am never sure, there is a lot I like and a lot which is weird.

Circus music made by the world's weariest clown. But I actually dig it! I think one of the things I resonate with most is when an artist feels authentic to their vision, and Waits never waivers. As weird as this record can be, you can feel his sincerity in every note. I liked some stuff, didn't like others, but overall I think I just respect the vision and execution.

the underground is blue collar themed. also anti-smoking add

What a strange dude he is

Haven't heard this Tom Waits album before. I always forget about Tom but then when I do listen to him I enjoy it. Makes me feel like a middle aged chain smoker without the negative effects of actually being addicted to cigarettes 3/5

I think Tom Waits is cool, but there are only a handful of songs that I actually enjoy listening to...and none of them are here. Still getting a 3 just because it's Tom Waits.

I am contractually obligated to yell COOKIE! whenever I hear Tom Waits, but I don't hate this. Rain Dogs is better but I don't find it immediately offputting. I guess I'm starting to see the appeal?

sure. whatever

Tom Waits as a mad carnival barker, with junkyard percussion interventions that manage to sound clumsy and precise, picking over the bones of busted-up Beefheart blues on the one hand while doing cabaret-inspired impressions on the other. He's sketching spoken characters as enchanting as they can be repugnant. Yet, as with a lot of his later albums that trade in atmospherics as much if not more than emotion (though Waits still slides some genuinely stirring songs in), Swordfishtrombones ultimately runs overlong for me and feels a little too much like a gin-soaked shtick for lonelyboyz. But I appreciate this one in his discography for its daring and career-shaking, potentially shanking, decision-making despite its uneven, experiment-fueled risk-taking.

I can see how it would be an important album but it wasn't for me

One of his listenable albums. Never been a fan, but still worth a listen.

Well. I had to listen to this twice. Wasn't sure what to make of it but liked it. Weirdly.

I really liked rain dogs and was ready for more interesting Tom waits. But it feels like everything done here is a bit worse, which makes sense since it's the earlier album. So if I'm in the mood for weird Tom waits music. I'll always take rain dogs over this album

habiedno cerrado por todo lo alto su etapa en Asylum con Heartattack and Vine. Este disco inció la trilogía que llevó a Toma Waits a los cielos, junto con Swordfishtrombones y Franks Wild Years. Sonidos extraños, primitivos, letras de perdedores, un universo que él maneja como ninguno. Destaca la marimba en Shore Leave. La balada Johnsburg, Illinois. La lúgubre Just Another Sucker on the Vine. El psyco-jazz de Down, Down, Down. Ese blues cavernario Gin Soaked-boy que solo pueden hacer él o Captain Beefheart.

I don't think I'm vibrating on the same plane as Tom Waits. At first I just hated it. Then, I heard the bluesy, 'Gin Soaked Boy' and the jazzy/ambient 'Rainbird' and knew that I just didn't hear the album the way he intended. I wish I understood.

I'm not sure what to say about this album, tbh. It's not good by any sense but it has a quality to it. It's weird, very weird. Tom has the most interesting sing voice...weird.

I think just for weirdness and uniqueness, this deserves a 3

We're hot off of completing the Underdark in Baldurs Gate 3, so "Underground" hit about as hard as it could possibly hit. Tom Waits is at his best here; jagged, grizzly, and full of passion. Things get a little more twee and muddy from here. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. You can easily lose lucidity more and more until "In The Neighborhood" comes along many songs later in the tracklisting. He then preys on my soft spot for circus themes invading singer/songwriter music with this song and the next "Just Another Sucker On The Vine" (really, with this whole album). Then "Frank's Wild Years" comes on and what the fuck. This album was weird already but this song was just visceral. I'm not sure if I feel more compelled to wince or giggle. I adore what Tom Waits stands for in the national music zeitgeist. He speaks for such a specific part of the American underbelly, bringing swampy, eccentric creole aesthetics to ears of those who probably aren't otherwise seeking out its racially diverse origins. The problem is I cannot get over my otherworldly experience of listening to Tom's "Heartattack And Vine" early on in this albums list endeavor - he almost brings the listener back to that album with the closing "Rainbirds" piano ballad here. The bravado and sense of melodrama he wields on HA&V is second to none - especially with its more grand musical arrangements. Swordfishtrombones is an authentic, admirable way to take his sound right after Heartattack, but it can't escape such a massive shadow. Which is a shame, because you can't fault Tom for much more than just meandering too much here. He doesn't lack intention, commitment to his characters, or presence in his execution. Just an album that wanders off a little too often. Maybe I’m asking a little too much of this project, but imagining a more succinct, fully-formed set of songs in this style has me starry-eyed. Unfortunately, I am left to imagine. Light 3/5

Sometimes listening to Tom Waits makes me feel uncool. Like if I saw, Tom Waits and Nick Cave chatting together at a party, I’d pet the dog in earshot but I absolutely would not approach. I find myself giving plenty of time to Waits albums almost trying to convince myself that I’m into it and at times I was pretty into this. 16 Shells was a cool track, as was In the Neighborhood but for a good amount of the time, I was entertained but not necessarily into the music. I’m just not cool enough for this one. 3 stars

Such bizarre and strange music. I think I liked Rain Dogs better, but as with that album, I probably need to return to it a couple of times.

Okay I think we started off on the wrong foot with Underground. Tom Waits X Lana Del Rey collab on upcoming album......? I actually enjoyed this album after reading his Spotify bio -- "swampy blues, 1930's era cabaret, and post-civil war parlor songs meet carnival music and wheezing, clattering, experimental rhythms". Tru! Coincidentally, Delaney and I will be going to a clown-themed birthday party this month. Perhaps I'll circle back so I can get into character. Maybe I'll even put in a request with the DJ. Faves in album order: Dave The Butcher 16 Shells from a 30.6 Gin Soaked Boy Troubles Braids

Odd

Tom Waits decides to freak it---not a 5 like Rain Dogs, but worth a listen!

I liked it, for the most part. I think it started to drone a bit in the second half. It wasn't so bad that it ruined the album completely, but it was enough that I think a 3 star review is appropriate.

Interesting, but I was in the mood for weird. 16 Shells from a 30.6 and Down, Down, Down stood out. 3.5/5

A bit strange but very authentic

Jazzy, likeable, good sound, loved the double bass, i wanted MORE trombone. Sometimes I didn't like his voice. Good storytelling.

Couple of good tracks

Rating: 5/10 Short Review: At times, this album is a really pleasant listening experience. Other times, it's kind of unbearable. This challenged me as a listener... unfortunately it was not one I could overcome. But, hey, maybe it'll grow on me with time. Who knows. I'll give it 3 stars just in case.

Déroutant à la première écoute mais donne envie de le réécouter pour en apprécier toute les nuances. Une belle surprise.

Tom Waits is one of those artists I've tried to get into my entire life, but I just can't crack it.

3.0 RYM

Not my fav Waits but fun

There’s only 1 Tom Waits

Has somebody ever matched Tom Waits’ freak?

tom waits tom waitsin’

Only ever heard of this guy originally because of his involvement with Primus. I don’t get him but apparently he is loved. Not the first time he showed up in this list - I think there was a live record I recall being actually not bad to listen to. He is creative I’ll give him that. He sounds homeless not that there is anything wrong with that. Other than the fact being homeless is a social crisis. The last instrumental song was beautiful and doesn’t fit on this record.

odd ducks

Like Tom Waits , but not sure about this

The first song hurt my ear. I’ll try it again later, i was to overstimulated for this

Giving it an extra 0.5 because it was unique and took chances and some of the tracks were catchy. 3/5

Sad, drunk circus clown, down an alley, learns to play music, goes on tour singing songs about lost love and booze. His hat is flat from being stamped on. Is this all an act from Tom? I've no idea.

I like that it’s stripped. no fuss, all story

not my vibe

Dark and quirky, yet typical Tom Waits. Unlike so much else on this list, so at least it has that going for it.

Enjoyable but not a stand out.

I'm thinking half-orc bard. I enjoyed listening to the album, but not something I would regularly seek.

Never could stand that dog

Long time since I listened to Waits. Good to come back to, even though this isn't my favourite album of his.

I adore Tom Waits. He is so unique and I am just fascinated by his albums. Underground is a straight banger. That said, this may be his weakest album. 3

This was different. I can see this being on a list of albums you should check out as it's unusual, you may discover a new style of music you enjoy.

better than Dylan but still not my thing 3/5

3.5

Good-ish. A bit out there on a few songs.

Never totally understood him. Not bad. Just not my thing. 3

Ich habe mir gerade einen Rum von Motörhead reingeschraubt - bin also nicht ganz zurechnungsfähig. Das ist jetzt das 3.Album von dem komischen Kerl. Ich dachte das geht schnell, durchhören und einen * vergeben. Aber durch die Gewöhnung oder den Rum oder beides haben sich meine Synapsen verschaltet und mir gefiel das Krächzen ganz gut. Ich bin von mir selbst überrascht.

2.8 2x

I like the more melodic songs like his earlier work. Not big on tbe experimental stuff.

Not for me, bit a weird type of cool

147/1001 Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ❎ I've tried to get into Tom Waits before and it's never really worked out for me in the past. Whilst my overall experience has improved since I last heard this album, it's not something I'd gravitate towards. There's some interesting arrangements and styles going on, but something is preventing me from properly enjoying it.

Love Bone Machine, this one was tough for me.

As with his other albums, I admire the artist and the artistry. Maybe more so than the actual music..? Perhaps. Less so on this album though, as there's some good stuff in here. It's weird. Much of it is discordant and kind of 'off', but it has a cohesive rhythm and drive to it. I like the random chimes and little areas of detail across the album, and I'm really liking the softer ballads. 3.5 rounded down.

More gravel voiced Tom Waits, wild that we have 5 of his albums. This had some cool blues features then also some really uncool random shit going on. I guess it was a pretty cool different type of album to mix things up with some spoken word. One review said it best: "Круто. Чувак знает что делает."

His voice immediately is pretty comical. Almost cartoony. Really loving the instrumentation in Shore Leave. Love some sounds but it's really going back and forth on me liking a song and then kinda hating a song. Storytelling on the title track with the xylophone sounding instrument is pretty sweet. Very hit or miss album for me. Square 3.

Odd but interesting. Definitely appreciate him as a storyteller, a bit less as a musician and singer.

The Tom waits I was expecting. Kind of bizarre but I really enjoyed it

Why so much tom waits? This one was survivable. But I get the idea now he's different for the sake of different.

There are parts of this album that I'd score 5, and some that would be 1, which leaves me with a 3 in the end. There is some true beauty here, and some jarring dissonance. I think the dissonance makes the beauty all the more intense. What I love here I love deeply. And you never know when you might need a bagpipe break until one comes along.

3/5 tom waits album alright first listen typical album

I like Tom Waits. I even like his voice. And this is a good album. It perhaps deserves even more attention than some of his others because this is the one where he changed his singing style. But I can't quite put this in the 4-star category. I see some sites (RYM) where this album is rated very highly, but I wonder how much of that is because it's eclectic and a sign of being a hipster? Again, it's quite good, but not 4-stars, IMO.

bitch im solemn and unamused

Odd album, but kinda funny. Not bad.

The writer of this book sure had a thing for Tom Waits (fourth album). So its "stylistically" different...no its just him again depending on his weird gravely voice and some strange sarcastic sense of humor that nobody else gets. This album might not have piano, but it has the same thing as all of his other albums, his voice and a weird concept, where he just goes on some weird strain of though lyrics. This is not the worst Tom album but lets hope this is where my exposure to him ends.

Not his best album. I'm sure it fits in the evolution of his sound. The elements are there but doesn't really click into some great song writing yet that will happen a couple years later with Rain Dogs. I liked In The Neighbourhood, Swordfishtrombone, and Down Down Down. The rest were sorta meh.

Is there too much Tom Waits in this project? I guess that's subjective, and the authors of the book certainly don't seem to think so, but the first thought that passed through my personal head this morning was, "ANOTHER Tom Waits?" Getting quite an education on the guy. I hadn't even heard of him before I started this project! Anyway, it is what it is. I guess I could write my own book. That aside, the album at hand is really why we're here, and I thought it had a vintage vibe that pulled me into a past that felt mostly strange, but sometimes nostalgic, particularly with In The Neighborhood. That song gave me the feels. Down, Down, Down was pretty great too. I found this intriguing overall, and he creates music that really doesn't sound like anything else. His unique voice and quirky style of storytelling are kind of in their own category. It's not something I'd put on for a random listen though. It feels more like a piece of art to enjoy for a bit of time, and then move on from, with two or three songs to bring along into the future.

Tom Waits is a hit or miss with me. I enjoyed this one more than Bone Machine.

I think I'm slowly starting to get Tom Waits. I used to think that listening to the entire of one of his albums was the same as Chinese water torture, to actually finding something to appreciate about his kind of style. There's still some sort of block, I feel like I still have a long way to go, but he is slowly growing on me, and there were even a handful of moments on this particular album that I even really enjoyed.

Len Houmous once tried to get an actual swordfish to play the trombone. He lost the end of one of his fingers. He had to stop playing the trumpet because of it. 2.9 5/15 16 Shells From A 30.6

Why they chose this one instead of Rain Dogs is baffling. This is a lump of clay by comparison. But I still love it.

I listened to a couple of these songs yesterday, didn't make it through the whole album yet though. Gonna continue listening today. I've actually saved a couple of his songs. I do think hes a talented musician. 16 Shells from a 30.6 is pretty cool. I'll give this one 3 stars.

sendo

Wow the difference in quality between this and the other album is staggering.

wasnt too bad, not much memorability

2.5

Is this where Modest Mouse got their idea for their sound

Pues me encanta su primer disco. Pero luego realmente me parece que intenta sonar desagradable a propósito. No entiendo bien ese enfoque de la música. Con todo, este no está mal y es relativamente disfrutable.

Well, I did get a useful suggestion for having my wife help with a minor home decor challenge. Thanks to Frank. Not my preferred Waits album, but the uniqueness of Waits deserves at least a 3.

After the first song I thought I would hate this. But I didn't in the end.

Tom Waits for no one. This guy crawled out from the "Underground" and put together some wild albums. He's like some boogey-man, telling greasy, old tales of the wanderer. I bet he hung out with Charles Bukowski a lot. I was hoping for a little Swordfishtrombone play, curious what it would sound like. Not as strong as his follow up album "Rain Dogs" but I do enjoy the weird carney tunes from this barnacle...3.10 stasr.

I'm not sure what it is about Tom Waits that makes his music so endearing to me. On paper, Swordfishtrombones is all over the place and messy, but somehow Tom Waits is able to wrangle this into something mildly successful. It's got a lot of his typical charm, wit and craziness as we romp between various musical stylings. Somehow this all boils down into something that I found pretty enjoyable, even with some misses sprinkled in. While it doesn't stand up to prior entry Rain Dogs, it's another example of why an artist like Tom Waits deserves his flowers as everything about his act is unique. Only a character like Tom Waits has what it takes to lean into the unusual and pull it off to moderate success. He's a perfectly executed musical fiasco that somehow works. Tom Waits is quickly climbing my list of artists I would most like to get a beer with. He's got a special kind of weird/crazy and I imagine it would be a blast to pick his brain for a couple of hours. 3.24 stars

★3.9 劇・映画を聴いているような感覚になるアルバム。 歌詞の内容が面白いんだろうけど、一聴しただけではその魅力はわからない。トムウェイツの評価が上がりはじめた頃のアルバムとのことなので、次作を聴くと評価が変わるかもしれないので期待。

Очередное прослушивания Тома Уэйтса не дало мне ключа к пониманию его музыки. Однако, данный альбом очень-очень необычен и непривычен для моего слуха. Жаль плохо знаю английский, т.к. было бы очень любопытно понимать, о чём данный исполнитель поёт (тексты интуитивно кажутся весьма любопытными). Окончательный вердикт - хорошо подходит для определённого настроения и редкого прослушивания, как фон. 5,5 из 10.

NIce!

Aldri helt skjønt Waits. Men fint nok.

I can’t really imagine casually throwing on this album or any track from it, but I’m glad it exists. I guess someone had to make music by and for carnival barkers from Guillermo Del Toro movies.

14/09/2025 I just don't get this guy and his music. It's definitely different though. Spotify listeners: 1.4 million

Its like Brecht meets Disney meets van Vliet. Its mad that he was touring with Zappa in the 70s and hadn't heard of Captain Beefheart until just before he wrote this. Starts very diverse, Waits has a lot of things going on in this. Underground is a messy marimba-laden stomping thing. Shore Leave is a blues-noir mandolin thing. Dave the Butcher is a The Residents thing. Johnsburg, Illinois is a Disney thing. 16 Shells From a Thiry-Ought Six is a Tom Waits thing. Town With No Cheer is a sombre bagpipe thing. In the Neighbourhood is a sad Disney thing? Just Another Sucker on the Vine is a sad circus sideshow Disney thing I guess. Frank's Wild Years is a psychopath lounge thing. Down Down Down is an upbeat R+B gospel soul thing. Wild organ performance. Gin Soaked Boy is a Howlin Wolf via Beefheart thing. Rainbirds is the last thing. Really struggling on whether this is a three or a four. The skid-row/cabaret thing hasn't aged well but its so well executed and there's so much great use of percussion. The other stuff is legitimately great. And its just so weird and unexpected and not really what I think anyone would have expected from Waits eight albums deep yet it still works. Nonetheless its a bit long. A few songs could have got this one onto my playlist but oh well...

Rather goofy but an interesting listen for sure

I loved some songs and I hated others. very polarizing.

I like the earlier albums better, but there's really something special about Tom Waits and hearing his voice develop over the albums.

Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

Weird but liked it

Weird and fun. Probably ground breaking at the time but it sounds like a movie soundtrack at this point.

Album is full of these smokey, raspy songs with jazz and blues undertones that I think make it very unique, but not necessarily full of hits. But I do like 16 Shells.

I liked this album. It was, perhaps, a bit longer than it should have been. However, there are some good songs here. A big point out the gate for Underground (loved it in Robots, and I had it on repeat all day after listening to this album). I've once heard Tom Wait's voice be compared to a "human cigarette", and I think that's a fairly accurate description. The band is also great in this album. Some songs are better than others, but I would say it was overall in the "okay" area for album ratings.

I almost quit this one early. Even quit in the middle of a song. But I kept going, and I'm glad I did. The last half of this is wonderful. I may even listen to it again and mark one as a favorite.

Tom Waits is one of those artists that I feel like I should know more of their work just don’t. After listening to this I’m just going to continue on thinking that I should definitely listen to more of his work one day. In the future.

It want as bad as people I talked to made it sound.

I'm not going to lie, I was expecting to hate this. Underground, weird as it is, I actually liked a lot. The second track, Shore Leave, was a bit too discordant for me, though the whispery delivery of some of the lyrics coupled with the instrumentation put me in mind of a classic era Disney cartoon bad guy. Think the snake from The Jungle Book. 16 Shells From A 30.6 had a lovely groove to it (though Tom sounded a bit like he'd been smoking 50 a day, or had a sore throat like sandpaper). Town With No Cheer cruelly introduced bagpipes, a decision that has no defense, but then balanced it with some lovely accordion work. I loved In The Neighborhood (ahhhh, brass instruments). I liked Swordfishtrombone despite (or maybe because of) it having more Disney villain vibes. Down, Down, Down was extreme toe-tapping time. Gin Soaked Boy was no Gin Soaked Boy by Divine Comedy, but was still enjoyable. As to the instrumentals - the first was circusy but dark, second more accordion (lovely), last atmospheric but a bit of a letdown for the last track on the album. I feared after the horror of Captain Beefheart earlier this week, I would despise this too, but this is very solid - mostly the right side of weird, rhythmic, loads of interesting instrumentation. It made me want to listen to more Tom Waits and that must be a good sign. 3.5 if I had half stars, but as I don't: 3/5

Aight

It took me several songs to warm up to the album, but by the end I was enjoying it

I listened to this just like that viral video of the woman drinking kombucha

If I ever start drag, I'll only perform to Tom Waits.

I like this better than rain dogs, while being on the same sorta sounds and themes. This just feels more like a carnival. The voice affectations are still a bit much, but less bothersome on this.

I came expecting pretension and sadness… I got chaos, dog murder, and uncomfortable horniness. Yet? I kept listening. Minus one star for dogocide and unsettling “Daddy” moans. Would recommend… but only to people with strong stomachs and no pets.

I’ve never heard anything that sounds like this album, odd mix of beat poetry with non-traditional instruments and insane vocal delivery.

I really respect and admire the artistry but it's not the most accessible album. Not as weird as rain dogs but somehow less accessible. Still enjoy it a lot

neighrborhed

His voice will never not be goofy and it is a detriment to the music. Although it wasn’t too grating and I didn’t mind this album (2.5/5)

I'm pretty sure the first time I ever heard Tom Waits was as the voice of Tommy the Cat. He's an acquired taste, sort of like Captain Beefheart, and I will sometimes skip his songs when they come up on shuffle because I have to be in the right mood for him. Or I have to be ready for him to change my mood. I used to love seeing him show up as a guest on Letterman and his acting work is fantastic. He's a true American original. That being said, this is not one of my favorite Waits albums. When I saw him on the "Glitter & Doom" Tour in 2008 I don't think he played a single song from this. It does have some songs I love, though, like "16 Shells from a 30-06," "In the Neighborhood," and "Gin Soaked Boy." According to the Wikipedia article, in 1989 SPIN named this the second-best album of all time. That seems a bit high.

Different but that's okay. Not perfect but that's okay. I still prefer Nighthawks at the Diner but overall, I can live with this.

***A good, easy listening album

This is so difficult to rate cause it's so unique. His voice is very strange but the music was fun most of the time and I enjoyed it

3.0

A bit of strange one. Very interesting.

Tää on Tom Waitsin paras albumi siksi, koska eri musiikkityyppien kokeilu välissä herättää mielenkiinnon eikä levyllä ole liikaa mittaa vaan jopa yllättävän vähän (hitaat biisit ovat nopeasti ohi). Ja mä kyllä pidän tän tunnelmasta.

Kuvastaako Waitsin kielellisen ilmaisun kliseisyys elämän itsensä absurdia ennalta-arvattavuutta, vai onko se vain kliseistä? Onko hänen tyytymisensä traditionaalisten muotojen modifiointiin vain musiikillisen mielikuvituksen puutetta? Oli miten oli, en voi olla pitämättä lopputuloksesta.

Tom Waits is what I imagine the Hat Man sounds like.

Suena muy bien, aunque no le he prestado mucha atención. No veo que haya ningún bombazo, pero es claramente un disco que suena a Tome Waits que es un estilo propio fácil de reconocer empezando por su voz.

If I remember correctly, there's a lot of Tom Waits on this list. So after two of his albums, I know there's more to come, and I just need to find a way to be ok with that. I can say this about him - he does his very best to be different, to be interesting. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but he's almost the furthest thing from predictable or formulaic. And sure, some of his stuff is just downright weird. That's ok! I like weird! I can get down with stuff that's a little off kilter or maybe is a little challenging. But this was hard to listen to at times. When you're trying to be different, sometimes you just hit the weirdest notes because what else can you do? You just need to be different. It's also weird to me because I do think he can actually sing, but sometimes on this album he just decides not to do it well? Not really sure what that's about. Look, he's creative, he's smart, he's interesting. But I just didn't come close to loving this and it's gonna get three sad stars from me. Sad because man it could've been better. Standout Tracks: 16 Shells from A 30.6, Frank's Wild Years, Down, Down, Down, Gin Soaked Boy, Rainbirds

Odd album. Some songs were less odd than others but none of them stood out that much to me. I commend it for its oddness though

De menos a más. Buen final. No es mi estilo.

I really don't know what to say about this. There was a lot of everything. Some of it was good, some of it wasn't.

Nice.

This is my second Tom Waits album and I thankfully enjoyed it. Waits is obviously a great and unique vocalist, and just a funny guy all around, and the music itself, even at lower points, is great. There are a lot of songs on here that I do think are just really nothing, though. The execution of them is good but it feels like I'm listening to interlude after interlude. The other Tom Waits album I listened to (Nighthawks at the Diner) had a ton of those, yeah, but they felt like they worked with the other songs on the album. I could barely tell when a song moved from one to another. Sure, they could have been the same song, but on this album, it just kind of feels like completely random interludes that have nothing to do with everything else that don't flow well with the album. Still goated album though. Favs: 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six, Swordfishtrombone, Down, Down, Down Least fav: Johnsburg, Illinois

Bluesy Jazzy weird and awesome

Digan lo que digan los haters de Tom Waits, a mí me parece que hace muy buena música. Este álbum marca el comienzo de su transición hacia estilos más experimentales y el uso de una mayor variedad de instrumentos. No me voy a poner a listarlos aquí, porque son muchos. El resultado es una especie de circo de locos mezclado con cabaret, jazz, blues, country y poesía hablada; el camarote de los hermanos Marx hecho música. Las letras son historias de personajes particulares (como el hombre que prende fuego a su casa porque odia a su perro) o recuerdos de hogares, lugares y personas. Es un álbum exigente, que, como todos los de Waits, requiere ser escuchado activamente, pero resulta una experiencia muy gratificante.

Fine I guess

This one made me go Underground, Down, Down, Down.

2.75

I liked it more than I expected but that doesn't mean it's good. I found his voice very grating on me. I liked the music without the vocals though! Overall: 3/5, it's pretty average for me. Nothing too special, wouldn't listen again, but really don't hate it.

Tom Waits is an acquired taste … that I haven’t acquired …

It is quirky, and not exactly enjoyable, but unique and interesting at the same time. Overall a win.

3 Stars (8/15)

I like Tom Waits in small doses, but it's hard to take his weird-ass circus hobo music seriously.

The only album by Tom Wais that I’ve been able to listen to (so far) So I will give 3 stars, lol

Ég er enginn aðdáandi, en ég sé alveg hvernig hann getur verið sjarmerandi. Þetta var fínt á meðan það var, en ég held samt áfram eftir eina hlustun.

What the hell is a swordfishtrombone?

There is a lot of artistic merit here but there are so many tracks that I would never return to for any enjoyment. Bro nailed the sound for Halloween music though.

Ok