Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Another good one from Tom. 3.5 stars.
Tom Waits is really not a great singer… I suppose this is somehow why he has become famous. But he cannot sing.. there is a kind of authentic blues feel on this album, but that about it
Had to listen twice to appreciate this one. First time I found it funky but a bit abrasive. Second time it started growing on me as much more unique. He has hints of Nick Cave, but used in a much more playful way.
I actually enjoyed this album slightly more than Hollywood and Vine. His voice can still be grating, but it's an ok 2.5-3 star album
If anything, this gets the prize for the most clank in an album. If you listen carefully though, it actually works well with the storytelling, and some of the songs come out really poetic. The format where each track is like a little vignette of life is cool. Successfully mixing the musical vibes of jazz played in a dingy bar into this whole thing is definitely a sign of an expert musician with a clear artistic vision for the piece. Also, I like how "In the Neighborhood" sounds like an inverted version of a song from the Mary Popping musical.
eh, some interesting sounds, but not my favorite.
really interesting album with a cool voice
Seems reminiscent of, yet maybe slightly worse than, Rain Dogs. Apparently this album is the first that he self-produced, and Rain Dogs was 2 years later, so that kind of tracks. I'm grooving to 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six though. Yeah overall this was good. Very similar to Rain Dogs. I think we could have had one or the other on this list.
Fuck you frank. I almost enjoyed this album? In the neighborhood is a weird sort of March lol.
Favorite Tracks: Shore Leave 16 Shells From A 30.6 In The Neighborhood
The opening chapter of a deliciously twisted trilogy.
Waits has such a distinct style and it is growing on me. Some albums are more of a miss, but this one is definitely a hit.
Can't get on with this
Always love Tom Waits. There's only one guy who does this and this is him and that's great.
I have almost every Tom Waits album and love them like children. No exception here - is Waits the most consistently interesting popular musician around?
This has become one of the most important albums I've ever listened to. I'll take any excuse to spin it again.
Absolutely amazing
I mean there’s some good blues scattered about. The voice is a little off putting
This is one where I can appreciate the artistry but not something I’d probably listen to again
Again, I can understand the significance of this album but it’s just not for me.
Dark, gritty ans atmospheric. But you have to be in the right mood
ah jo voll normale erste song tom. tweite song bitz andersch? er redt afoch chli und d lüt spieled schräg. anschinend isch am tom waits si talent daser chan hammer musiker:inne töne loh wie amateure. gsehni. check de song aber. dävu de metzger au funny. aber au dumm? johnsburg singter huere s hö und denn mega sräg 16 shells no cool er druckt sini stimm huuuere gad bi 16 shells oder town with no cheer. ha s gfühl s will mengmol extra weird sii und denn ischs wieder schön weird. town with no cheer isch seehr schön, mega guets storytelling text isch echt super. de chalt synthi machts no melancholischer. es isch huuuere WEIRD. aber wiener bi frank's wild years verzellt isch schono cool. swordfishtrombone isch seeehr geil victor feldman fitzt anee. gin soaked boy? Herr Vatska? kei ahnig wani mit dem album söll afange. 3.
underground FUCKING funny er liebt random grüsch finds jz sehr funny, mengisch chli sehr goofy aber iwie authentisch? in the neighvourhood hani sehr schön gfunde frank isch tasächlcih relativ wild hahaha uh jz ischs nochli bluesy rain birds cutes outro ganz ehrlich, hüfig wird ich fas album nöd lose aber FUCK it VIAAAA
I like Tom Waits' melodies and instrumentation, but I hate his gravely, mumbly, Cookie Monster voice. So I'm torn on this one. The album as a whole is solid and for the most part enjoyable, but can I get past the vocal stylings? Probably not enough to listen to this with any regularity. So it's likely an average 3-stars.
Now listen, I love my fair share of unlistenable shit. Throbbing Gristle? Make it throb harder. Einstürzende Neubauten? All day everyday. But there is nothing about Tom Waits that makes me understand the appeal. Bullshit, self-righteous garbage for alt kids to pretend to like in order to fit in. I tried to be more fair the first few times I got his stuff, but now hating Tom Waits has become part of my personality.
Have on vinyl. Just the right amount of oddness, still sounds fresh today. Tom Waits' voice is great
It's Tom Waits. If you like him (and I do), you'll likely enjoy the album. But it's definitely not for everyone. One of the quintessential songwriters of the latter 20th century, his genius is all over this album. But... It's pretty trippy. I had a good time.
The music world needs more Tom Waits, the innovators who beat to their own drum (or in this case, an African squeeze drum). This is unconventional pop music. It reminds me of the seediness of a Raymond Chandler plot, but also the little slices of miserable life that appear in a Raymond Chandler short story. Waits employs so many different instruments, its a tapestry of subtle sounds. The title track is one of my favorite Waits songs, it’s the intersection of all the great sounds and ideas that make this album a classic.
I don’t hate it but it’s close!
Probably deserves another listen or two to let it set in
This album is consistently interesting, even if it isn't particularly... musical, I guess? There are a few tracks by Tom Waits that I rather enjoy, but these songs don't do quite as much for me.
3+
Hey look! It’s that one song from that robot movie I watched as a kid!
Sounds like a bad musical. Tom Waits? More like Two (out of five) Waits XD
first song came out ripping. then the first 90 seconds of the second song caused me get aids. then the rest of the album was bad. overall i’ll give it a 2 because his voice is pretty unique
By some crazy stroke of luck, after listening to this album for the first time literally today, it came up as my album of the day for tomorrow, so I decided I'd just write down my thoughts now. I've been a fan of Tom Waits' music for quite a while, his unique flavor of singer-songwriter in his earlier career, and his super experimental stuff later. Both are great eras, and this was the transition between them. Very reminiscent of it's successor Rain Dogs, similar production, sound, vocal delivery etc. And while I think he struck that perfect balance on his following records much better than on here, that doesn't make this anywhere near a bad album. Seriously enjoyed it, and is definitely one I'd recommend to people trying to get into his music, as it's probably a little more accessible that what would come after.
Going in to this album I had no idea what to expect from the name "Swordfishtrombones". However, somehow, it sounds exactly like what one would expect from an album with that name.
C'était vraiment bizarre, mais j'ai préféré à bien d'autres albums de Waits (certainement plus que Nighthawks At The Diner). Toujours pas sûr d'aimer son style, mais j'ai aimé comment c'était un peu chaotique tout en étant cohésif. Ça valait la peine d'être écouté. 6.5/10
I generally like experimental music, I want to like Tom Waits (Tommy the Cat by Primus is a favorite of mine), and I’ve tried before, but I just can’t get into it. Tom Waits sounds like Cookie Monster on a three day bender… Johnsburg, Illinois and Rainbirds are OK. 2⭐️
Cutting edge sound for what it was. What a way to start the album.
Fully expected to hate this, but it has its charm.
Round 2 of Waits for me, having had another album earlier this month. I really wasn't a fan of this one. It was grating on my ears quite quickly. I appreciate the different instrumentals through, its the vocals that are less enjoyable.
It is quintessential TW. Bombastic and odd, beautiful and rugged. One of the most interesting musical artists of all time, at the moment he decided to take a left turn when everyone else chose to ride the train.
It makes no sense I adore this album. None. It's messy and atonal and grumpy and somehow dirty to listen to, but I adore it. Best for late nights thinking of whiskey, long midnight countryside drives with solitary thoughts and those times when it's 3am and you have an itch within your soul. 4 stars.
Not sure about this........................ I see what its so polarizing - its weird and maybe smart but also kind of unlistenable.
Cool, sleazy and Tom Waits own personal vaudeville at its best. The bizarre story telling and the rag tag instrumentation is a perfect combination and enjoyable throughout
The beginning of Tom Waits as we know him today. Shaggy and poetic.
I quite liked this but I dont know why. I bought it on record about 15 years ago, listened once and never bothered again until now. But there’s something about it I really like. It doesnt have a clue what it wants to be but in a good way. Each song is a surprise, from weird little circuis dit (like a slightly lighter version of The Carney by Nick Cave) to Jazz singer. I dont know what this is, but I like it
The more I hear of Tom Waits, the less I understand him. The first album we had from him was strange and this one is just as odd but in a completely different way. He doesn't seem to have any famous songs and he's also an actor, no idea who his audience is but he's definitely interesting. This album was a mishmash of various experiments, most with his strange gravelly voice over the top. The last jazz piano track aside there wasn't anything that I actually liked but it didn't annoy me either, which considering the craziness has to mean something. Worth one listen, unlikely to come back but it's probably worth being on this list. 2.5.
Listened twice as the first time I was baffled. I like it. The variety of musical styles is admirable - a real commitment to madness. Underground, and Swordfishtrombones are the best songs, and I only struggled with Frank's Wild Years (mercifully short). In fact, the majority of the songs on the album are 3 minutes or less - which is again impressively restrained. I don't think I can give it a 5, but this is weird and I like it.
Didn't do too much for me, although there is something appealing about Tom Waits, kinda want to like him more than I do. Actually after writing that I thought the second half was much better than the first. More coherent. Highlights were Town with no cheer Down down down Soldiers toys 3 is probably fair
Il y a quelque chose de carnavalesque chez Waits: l'ambiance de fête foraine des cuivres et de l'accordéon, mais surtout une préoccupation pour le commun, une permutation avec le sublime
Tom Waits is a good storyteller, but his music is always an acquired taste for me. After two listens, still haven't acquired the taste. The disjointed rhythms aren't enjoyable. 3/5 just because I find the content of the songs interesting.
I like the live vibe. Some of the long vamps with spoken word type stuff would be cool to see live but might not fully translate to album. Enjoyed this one but prefer rain dogs.
Really weird and cool. Not something I could listen to every day or maybe even again at all but enjoyed listening
God I love this album. I can’t decide on a favorite song but if I had to chose The Neighborhood or Franks Wild Years. I love how the instruments sound, especially all of the percussion. Truly the best.
Wtf is this
It’s funny to me that the dislike of The Residents’ record on this site doesn’t get transferred over to Tom Waits’ music. The degree of separation between the two artists is minuscule. Sorry, but it’s about time some hear that hard truth.
I’m really really trying to like Tom Waits’ music. I like him, but I don’t get the music. Waits is the type of artist where you hear someone playing his song and think wow that’s an amazing song, what a songwriter but when he plays it you, wtf is this? 4.4/10
Really interesting
Tales of strife of life Street-weary Cookie Monster With found instruments I first learned of Dylan in university—actually listened to more than radio jams—and was introduced to scotch, both courtesy of Dave. He held out on the Waits, however. I’ve listened to his first nine albums—the first three in depth. Greatly enjoying his transformation. From old Tom Frost on “Martha” to the barmaid’s smile while “(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night,” to the pseudo-live comedic narratives of Nighthawks, Waits has carved a special place for me musically. Enjoyed listening to this deeply and resuming my exploration of Waits. I’ve heard many great things about Bone Machine and Mule Variations.
When I was a teen and had more patience for musical theatre I thought Tom Waits was interesting. I had heard of Swordfishtrombones multiple places as THE weirdo breakthrough album. When I first heard Captain Beefheart, I saw this for what it is, a sad and cynical marketing exercise. Dude saw something and was like "I could make that more mainstream", switched from piano balladeering, and has rode the same wave for 40 years. I suppose that's the history of popular music in a way. Beefheart is a white fella doing the blues. This one feels particularly egregious. I suppose it's also a matter of taste to say this adds nothing that you can't hear on a Beefheart album. It isn't exactly the same. Tom Waits adds more carnival barking & maudlin sentiments. Even if there was originality here it would wear out its welcome. I was going to go 2 stars, but thinking about it there isn't a single song on this I want to hear. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
I’ve soured on Tom Waits over the years, but this album in particular is kind of sentimental to me. When I was about 13, my uncle gave me two Tom Waits CDs for my birthday: this one, and Closing Time. I had never heard of Tom Waits, and it turned out neither had he. He read about him in a magazine and thought “This sounds like something my 13 year old nephew would like.” Closing Time never spoke to me much, Swordfish did. In hindsight, I think it served as a bit of a baby’s-first toward a lot of music I like now. It’s kind of a bummer it makes me roll my eyes now, even though I do still think it has some musically interesting stuff to offer. I’ve become a crank.
Completely unique, often disharmonic with few moments of vivid sincerity and beauty. Perfect for a rainy day if instead of feeling cosy, you want to feel dread.
Swordfishtrombones is as wonderful and unique as its name implies. It lives in a world completely of its own - such is the land of Tom Waits. One minute you find yourself listening to the most beautiful piano driven ballad; the next someone is banging recklessly on a steel pipe. I guess it’s one of those albums you either love or hate.
“She’s my only true love, she’s all that I think of; look here in my wallet, that’s her”. It’s ninety-three seconds long, and cuts through the gristle and the grime of the surrounding tracks as a startlingly earnest affirmation. And then it’s gone, and Tom Waits is back to singing about crooked, cracked people in the depths of despair. Such is the versatility, theatricality and insanity of “Swordfishtrombones”. The woman in the wallet is Kathleen Brennan, Waits’ new wife at the time and an invaluable influence on his work. She expanded his musical palette, introduced him to the music of Captain Beefheart, became his co-writer and co-producer, and dared him to self-produce this very record. So, while “Swordfishtrombones” isn’t a complete left-turn from the groundwork before it, it does neatly form a new chapter in the narrative of Waits’ career. The seeds of “Rain Dogs” and “Bone Machine” have already grown into gnarled and twisted shoots by this point, as we ricochet from the heart-aching “Johnsburg, Illinois” into the aggression of “16 Shells From A 30.6” into the rousing sentimentality of “In the Neighborhood”. The overall effect is a hi-res rendering of the grizzled and howling streets of Waitsian suburbia. The lyrics are as evocative as ever: I adore them all, but would like to single out “In the Neighborhood”’s opening line of “the eggs chase the bacon round the frying pan”, the grizzly spoken word in “Shore Leave” (“rowed down the gutter to the blood bank”) and the hilarious “Frank’s Wild Years” (“never could stand that dog”). The musical arrangements are striking and often surprising, with an expanded range in instrumentation: however, this does lead to a few puzzling diversions (the deranged organ of “Dave the Butcher”, the sleepy accordion of “Just Another Sucker on the Vine”, the bagpipes introducing “A Town with No Cheer”). And occasionally, the album dips a little too far into melancholy mood music for my taste (“Town With No Cheer” and “Soldier’s Things” are fine, but lack the gut-wrench pathos of some of his other ballads). Altogether, though, “Swordfishtrombones” is an arresting entry in an inimitable discography. From this album onwards, Tom Waits the man is dead, and Tom Waits the myth is gleefully busking on his grave.
Weird album - feels like something Tarantino would write
Silly devious music for sneaking around with a burlap sack full of various gizmos and gadgets on your back. Can't really say I got the "Tom Waits Vocals Tolerance Gene". Better than that boring blues record of his I had last time though.
# 277 : I really don’t like Tom Waits’ music and this album hasn’t changed my opinion. This album may be deep, but it is unlistenable. Have the people that rate something 5 stars actually listened/read/watched what they are rating?
So so
Swordfishtrombones is the eighth studio album by Tom Waits, originally released in 1983. No matter how many Tom Waits albums this list throws at me, I still don't get it! This one isn't as bad as the previous one's I've gotten. Usually his voice is way too over-the-top for me. He tames it down for most of the songs, and there's a decent-enough concept throughout the album. His voice is just something I can't get into. Too weird even for me I guess. I'm actually surprised he's had much success/critical acclaim. His songwriting is alright, but not enough to warrant a lot of the cringe through some of these albums.
I must have listened to this record millions of time. Back in the day, I had to buy the CD again because the first copy wore out. Tom Waits was a big part of my life for a long time. He inspired me to live my life and pay attention to the world in unusual ways: noticing what is not like the rest of the world, noticing how things work, noticing the strange in the everyday, listening for good stories of small time. He was another of these artists that made me feel like he was talking to me and that made the world an interesting and endlessly creative place to live in. This is music that is also a way of life and an ethics: of compassion, community, weirdness. It's beautiful in the strangest of ways.
Odd. Doesn't spark any joy.
When the neon signs are shut off and the air cools and the dust begins to assert itself, that's when the freaks come out. Tom Waits for no man when it comes to digging deep into his bag of stories and not only did he dig deep, he dug up newfound access to material that would allow him to pad out and fully furnish his tales as he wished. The result, Swordfishtrombones, was unlike anything he'd done before and it would serve as a launchpad to what we, and he, would anticipate for the remainder of his career. Every song on here, whether it's a minute or so or approaching four, is a cinematic exercise worthy of its rolled tape. It is truly one from the heart.
Idk what’s going on, idk want to find out
Is this the Tom Waits I can stand? No it is not
Bueno, raro
2.5/5
I think I liked Rain Dogs better, but this is still an amazing precursor to that album creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere.
Tom Waits becomes Tom Waits
listened to again what a crooner
### In-Depth Review of "Swordfishtrombones" by Tom Waits **"Swordfishtrombones,"** released in 1983, marked a pivotal moment in Tom Waits' career. Known for its experimental nature, this album diverged significantly from his previous works, embracing an avant-garde approach that blended various musical styles and complex lyrical themes. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, providing a balanced perspective on its strengths and weaknesses. #### Lyrics Tom Waits' lyrical prowess is evident throughout "Swordfishtrombones." The lyrics are rich with vivid imagery and narratives that paint a picture of an underworld populated by eccentric characters and surreal situations. - **Imagery and Storytelling:** Songs like "Underground" and "16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six" showcase Waits' talent for creating detailed, almost cinematic scenes. "Underground" invites listeners into a subterranean world, a theme that recurs throughout the album, suggesting a hidden, often dark reality beneath the surface of everyday life. - **Character Development:** Waits introduces a gallery of memorable characters. In "Frank's Wild Years," for instance, we meet Frank, a disillusioned man who sets his house on fire and disappears, a stark representation of midlife crisis and existential dread. This character-driven storytelling is a hallmark of the album, providing depth and engagement. - **Poetic Devices:** Waits' use of metaphor and simile is particularly notable. In "Shore Leave," the lines "I left my heart in the dead sea / The dead sea of a broken down ship" evoke a sense of profound loss and desolation. His ability to blend the poetic with the grotesque creates a unique lyrical landscape. #### Music Musically, "Swordfishtrombones" is a bold departure from Waits' earlier, more conventional work. The album is characterized by its eclectic mix of styles, unconventional instrumentation, and innovative arrangements. - **Eclectic Styles:** The album fuses blues, jazz, rock, and avant-garde elements. Tracks like "Johnsburg, Illinois" offer a tender, almost traditional ballad style, while "16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six" incorporates raw, percussive rhythms and a rougher vocal delivery. - **Instrumentation:** Waits employs a variety of unconventional instruments, including marimbas, bagpipes, and the waterphone, which add to the album's distinctive sound. The use of these instruments is not merely for novelty; they enhance the album's atmosphere and thematic coherence. - **Arrangement:** The arrangements are sparse yet intricate, often featuring minimalistic yet powerful accompaniments. This is evident in "In the Neighborhood," where a brass band adds a melancholic, nostalgic feel to the song, underscoring its themes of community and loss. #### Production "Swordfishtrombones" was produced by Tom Waits himself, a decision that allowed him greater creative control and the freedom to explore his artistic vision fully. - **Sound Quality:** The production quality is intentionally raw and unpolished, which complements the album's gritty, down-to-earth themes. This lo-fi approach gives the album an authentic, almost live feel. - **Innovative Techniques:** Waits and engineer Biff Dawes experimented with various recording techniques, such as using unusual mic placements and incorporating ambient sounds. This is evident in "Rainbirds," an instrumental track that features the sound of birds and rain, creating a serene yet eerie atmosphere. - **Cohesive Vision:** The production successfully ties together the album's disparate musical and lyrical elements into a cohesive whole. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, despite their stylistic differences, maintaining a consistent mood and narrative thread. #### Themes "Swordfishtrombones" explores a range of themes, many of which are dark and introspective. These themes are woven throughout the album, creating a rich tapestry of human experience. - **Existential Angst:** Many of the characters in Waits' songs grapple with existential questions and the absurdity of life. "Frank's Wild Years" and "Shore Leave" are prime examples of individuals facing moments of crisis and disillusionment. - **Underworld and Hidden Realities:** The recurring motif of the underground or hidden worlds suggests a fascination with what lies beneath the surface, both literally and metaphorically. This theme is explored in tracks like "Underground" and "Trouble's Braids." - **Loneliness and Isolation:** A pervasive sense of loneliness and isolation runs through the album. "Johnsburg, Illinois" and "Soldier's Things" poignantly express feelings of longing and nostalgia, highlighting the human need for connection and belonging. - **Absurdity and Grotesque:** Waits' lyrics often embrace the absurd and grotesque, reflecting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life. This is evident in the surreal imagery of "16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six" and the bizarre narrative of "Gin Soaked Boy." #### Influence "Swordfishtrombones" has had a significant impact on both Tom Waits' career and the broader music landscape. - **Career Transformation:** The album marked a turning point for Waits, establishing him as a pioneering artist willing to take risks and push boundaries. It set the stage for his subsequent experimental works and solidified his reputation as a unique voice in music. - **Influence on Other Artists:** The album has influenced a wide range of musicians across genres, from alternative rock to experimental music. Artists such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and PJ Harvey have cited Waits as an inspiration, particularly his ability to blend narrative storytelling with innovative musical techniques. - **Cultural Impact:** "Swordfishtrombones" has also left its mark on popular culture, with its songs appearing in films and television shows, further cementing its legacy. The album's themes of existential angst and hidden realities resonate with audiences, making it a timeless piece of art. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Sound:** The album's eclectic mix of styles and unconventional instrumentation creates a unique and captivating listening experience. 2. **Lyrical Depth:** Waits' lyrics are rich with vivid imagery, complex characters, and poetic devices, offering listeners much to ponder and explore. 3. **Cohesive Vision:** Despite its experimental nature, the album maintains a consistent mood and narrative thread, thanks to Waits' production. 4. **Emotional Resonance:** The themes of existential angst, loneliness, and hidden realities are conveyed with emotional depth, making the album relatable and impactful. 5. **Influence:** The album has had a significant influence on other artists and remains a touchstone in the music world. **Cons:** 1. **Accessibility:** The experimental nature of the album may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those who prefer more conventional music styles. 2. **Raw Production:** The intentionally raw and unpolished production might be off-putting to some, as it lacks the slickness of more commercial releases. 3. **Fragmented Structure:** The diversity of styles and sounds can sometimes make the album feel fragmented, potentially disrupting the listening experience for some. 4. **Niche Appeal:** The album's avant-garde approach means it has a niche appeal, which might limit its reach compared to more mainstream albums. ### Conclusion "Swordfishtrombones" is a landmark album in Tom Waits' discography and a significant work in the broader musical landscape. Its innovative sound, rich lyrical content, and cohesive production make it a standout piece, despite its potential accessibility issues and niche appeal. The album's exploration of dark and introspective themes, coupled with its unique musical approach, has left a lasting impact on both listeners and fellow artists. For those willing to delve into its depths, "Swordfishtrombones" offers a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
I'm rating this a 1 only because I'm not allowed to give less. What is this absolutely trash of an album? This sounds like something you should avoid your entire life
I appreciated Town With No Cheer for the references to my home country, but aside from that, this isn’t for me at all.
I don't think this is music that will ever make me think "I should listen to this right now", but I did enjoy it and I like his voice. 3/5
16 Shells From a 30.6 In the Neighborhood Frank's Wild Years Soldier's Things
Blind album, truly impressed with the simplicity of some parts rhythms and such, but the emotions behind it and the overall tonality and uniqueness intrigues me for sure. Given how much I love this album and Rain Dogs, I gotta check out the 3rd album of this loose independent trilogy...
#261. Again with this guy? You know what, maybe i'm just coming at it from the wrong direction. Maybe it's not that it's accidentally bad, but it's intentionally bad as a troll just to see how many people he can trick into saying they think it's good. Maybe it's just rage bait so he could have a laugh, and I fell for it. Maybe he did it as a bit, to prove how bullshit the recording industry is but now he's been doing it so long he doesn't know how to stop. You know what, I'm going to give it an extra star just so I can pretend this guy doesn't get to me. 2/5: this isn't terrible. No really. No, that's not a forced smile, I promise I really didn't think it was as terrible as people say. Song added to playlist: 16 Shells From A 30.6 I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
You either love Tom Waits or can't stand him. I fall into the love him camp - there's no one like him. If this album is too out there for you, maybe try his first album, Closing Time, which is a little more classic, not as experimental. Some amazing songwriting. Anyway, I love Swordfishtrombones, 5 stars.
I mean I made it all the way through but I can’t say I enjoyed it
Yep, I still love this
I'm still digesting this album. It didn't grab me the way that Rain Dogs or Mule Variations did. But I don't think I appreciated those albums at first either. It's likely that I'd end up giving it a 3 in the long run. But I'm feeling hopeful. This week, I was happy to listen to something that felt like it was taking risks. I remember when I was younger and getting tired of all my music sounding the same. Then I discovered Rain Dogs and it sounded like nothing I'd ever heard before. Almost like outsider art, but still very polished when it wanted to be.
I don’t have a huge Tom Waits expertise, my only liked or tried record of him is Heart of Saturday Night and I think it’s a very cool album to listen to in rainy (Saturday) nights. A total Nighthawks vibes. But somehow, this jazzy and piano funky album didn’t roll me well. A solid 3.
please be the last Tom Waits
somebody please kill me before the next Tom waits album comes up (this is definitely better than the other two I've had to listen to so far but i still hate it)
I didn't like it, but I also didn't hate it. I can see the value in a lot of what is here, but it's not really for me.
I feel like Tom thinks he's creating something fantastic, and I, would have to disagree wholeheartedly
I ate a bowl of nails for breakfast <calm> without any milk <panic>
I feel like the day a person hears a Tom Waits album for the first time is a catalyst for something much deeper. I guess today was that day for me. I was both terrified but excited to finally hear what all of the discussion was about. Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for what I actually heard. I could not have readied myself anymore than I already did. Any crazy description you hear of what this sounds like is probably right and wrong at the same time. Because this doesn’t really sound like anything. Definitely not anything I’ve ever heard before. This is so unusual, and feels like it’s going against the norms of general music at every possible moment. Except I’ll admit that I spent pretty much the entire listen with a smile on my face. I couldn’t believe myself that I was actually listening to this, but I also couldn’t believe how awesome it was. Tom himself immediately stood out to me as a character. And he has what might be one of the most interesting singing voices I’ve ever heard. It almost borders on not being singing. It’s so low and gravelly. It sounds like you tossed pebbles into a blender and had it speak to you. But that paired with the dark and eerie carnival-esque music on the record creates a wholly unique experience. This is basically the creaking floor boards of the music industry. And I find it insanely cool. Tom Waits actually feels like someone who really deserves to be on this list. I don’t know if any other artists has ever made music that sounds like this, which completely warrants his placement. I honestly can’t wait to hear more music from him. Everyone should listen to this, whether they end up hating it or absolutely loving it in the end. Rating: 8/10
Meh
mixed
rikkihappo core... syövyttänyt kurkun, ja påän, ihan tohjoksi.. sanoo vaan sanoja... merkityksettömiä... paitsi kuumeisessa unissaan, jossa saa kaikki tekee hänen mielestään järkeä... hullun miehen polkka, on tämäkin artistinen ekspressio... rakastan kun tom alkaa kertomaan tarinoita rakastaaaaaa niin ihkuuu <333333 kuiskuten muiskuten hihihihiihihih <3333333333333333 jeejee jeee jeee!!!! puspuspus niiiiiiiin söpö heh<333333333333 don dowän dwn
Cringe
wasn't super good but it was charming
I think you have to be in a certain frame of mind to appreciate Tom Waits; I'm not sure I was totally there when I listened to this. Somewhere between "Heartattack" and "Rain Dogs" for me; Rain Dogs is still the standout Tom.Waits album. On this, "16 Shells" was one I enjoyed a lot
Elsk!
An easy listen but not one I think I’d return to
Tom Waits is another one of those artists that i feel cool people like. unfortunately this time i don’t really love him, just can’t get over the voice. this album wasn’t bad though, had that cool instrumental and Underground from Robots!!!
Blows goats
What a weird this guy is. No thanks.
I like Tom Waits, and there’s a lot of great moments here. But I’d be lying if I gave it anything above a 4. It’s just a little too tough to listen to.
When musical histories are written 50 years from now, Tom Waits will be recognized as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Brilliant as his early albums were, this album marks the transition into the second phase of his career where he combined multiple disparate genres into something completely new and completely his own. It doesn't sound quite as revolutionary now as when it was released since so many others have imitated what he pioneered.
Tom Waits is at his best when given free reign and the freedom to pick up any instrument that he feels like experimenting with. This will certainly not appeal to everyone, but this is experimental blues for the eccentrics among us. This album marks the beginning of his most interesting period and evolution as an artist. Love it or hate it, nothing sounds quite like it.
Not *quite* perfect (he gets there on the next record), but still pretty fucking awesome. 4.5/5
It was good.
Tom Waits brings a collection of music that tells stories of the strange and macabre and its wonderful!
En 1983 Tom Waits no sólo se deshizo de representante, productor y discográfica, también eliminó de su paleta sonora las cuerdas y el piano que le habían acompañado hasta entonces. Confecciona aquí un álbum pleno de experimentación, con el dominio sonoro de trompas graves, bajos y percusión, y sin apenas arreglos. Las historias son más surrealistas y su mirada se dirige a los inadaptados que para Waits somos todos. El resultado es un disco bizarro y difícil de saborear, sobre todos en su arranque. Aún así hay momentos para la introspección, como \"Johnsburg, Illinois\" y \"Soldier's Things\", o de ritmos clásicos con sonidos básicos pero que funcionan, como \"16 Shells From a 30.6\", la blusera \"Gin Soaked Boy\" y \"Down, Down, Down\", los cortes que personalmente más me gustan.
This is where Tom turns into the weirdo that we love, and pretty much all albums from here are just fantastic. The range he shows is incredible, from slow piano ballads to wild rowdy bangers. And that voice. One of my favourite artists of all time, could pick 100 songs from him and not a single one would sound the same.
Didn't really like the vocals (although they were pretty unique) but enjoyed Rainbirds -5/10
Not my thing. The vocals were a bit much. Apart from that the instrumentals were ok.
Didn’t like this :/
Quite enjoyed this, it fit my mood today very well. Probably won’t listen regularly but I liked it today. 8/10
3/10 - We have had some very strange albums this week including this one. Starting with underground I knew that I was in for a surprise. Dave the Butcher sounded more like what I expected the Locust Abortion Technician album to sound like because of its cover art. Most of the songs were just offputting Just another sucker on the vine was ok and so was rainbirds but I do no think I will be revisiting this album.
Definitely unique. Really didn't like the first half, but didn't mind the second half. I can't tell if the songs grew on me or the album actually got better, but it wasn't terrible
Did not listen
Very silly. But not unlistenable.
Very few voices just plain annoy me. This is one of them. And it seems contrived, as if trying to assimilate blackness. I can't bear it.
I do love Tom Waits and his smoky lounge bar atmospheric songs. I wasn’t particularly feeling this today until In the Neighbourhood kicked in which is such a beautiful song. This should be a 3.5 but I know on a better day I would ramp it up.
This is a stellar album, and from what I know, marked a point in Waits' career where he transitioned from a relatively straightforward piano bar fixture to the more flamboyant personality that fueled the rest of his career. It's an impressive collection — just when Waits' over the top performances seem to have have run their course, he hits with a beautiful interlude that grounds everything and sets the stage for more wild oats.
The atmosphere is thick with grime, loneliness, loss, and longing, shaken over hallway ice and regret sex and hastily dumped into a highball rim-coated with some exotic spice that stings your lips and keeps you coming back for more. There's a whole world on this album. Underworld, at least. Chock-full of cigarette-stained teeth, beer nuts, tattoos, torn nylons, and graffiti-coated stalls. It should be ugly but the marimbas, angklungs, and angular chords give the whole scene a mystic vibe like sewer steam flowing over a '70s Oldsmabuick. Stay away from Mickey's Big Mouths, though. I got a story about them. And it ain't pretty.
I discovered Tom Waits and Raymond Carver at the same time in college. They pair well together and I love an evocative short story. For Frank's Wild Years alone this is an essential listen.
somehow beautiful, funny, scary, and sad at the same time
Meh bissi weird
Fuckin weirdo <3
Bonkers, but wicked.
There's a world going on underground - and this tells its story. This is amazing. Cannot believe I haven't listened before. It's like a poetry/music jam you may come across after falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. Or down a cool backstreet in Paris. Or, at one point, a misty Scottish castle. Or maybe a club in any city, down a back alley that only cats know about - you come across it and, upon entering, find you can't leave. I feel cooler just having listened to this. There's a hummingbird trapped in a closed down shoe store. Imagery, imagery, imagery. Rainbirds is a 5 star finish for a 5 star album.
Welcome to the mind and music of Tom Waits! An often bizarre, underground, back street, dive bar, dead end world of lonely souls and characters. His voice(s) can be challenging and the musical backdrop incredibly varied and willfully weird but there is beauty in the madness. 'Underground' leads us into this other world, 'In The Neighbourhood' (the single, and only track I knew) is great, 'Johnsburg, Illinois' and the closing instrumental are beautiful, as is the poignant 'Soldier's Things' (And everything's a dollar in this box) the stand out track for me. I love the tough blues guitar on 'Gin Soaked Boy' too. Reminds me of the track that first introduced me to Tom Waits, via a Levi's ad in '93! I played this a lot today, and it's becoming my favourite album on the list so far. He's a one off. A great songwriter and musician who started relatively mainstream then took his own direction.
No doubt Tom Waits is doing some cool, experimental, artistic stuff here, and I am glad I got to listen to this as it sure was an experience. I do just think its often lacking the logical flow and consistent quality that makes an enjoyable experience which I would be interested in returning to. +1 for the creativity but it does seem like he threw a lot of it together after a few too many beers at the saloon. I also really can’t take some moments like In The Neighbourhood and Down Down Down seriously with that voice, maybe it is an acquired taste. 😅 Favourite track: Gin Soaked Boy (maybe? the guitar was groovy)
What a terrible day to have ears
It felt like this album was trying to do a lot but accomplished very little. At times it was hard to hear what was going and he didn't enunciate anything. I liked Gin Soaked Boy but that was the only song that I liked. Maybe I just didn't get the album but it felt like the kind of album I would like in theory.
Drunk uncle ass music
good
Please stop giving me Tom Waits albums.
You're walking down the street and hear music down an alley. You take a look and it's a circle of hobos, junkies, drunks, playing random instruments. Some of them are surpsingly good, some are just drunk dude beating on a trash can. Then a man with a mouthful of gravel starts singing. You're at once terrified and intrigued. Honestly not sure if I love this or hate it but it's different and interesting.
Nr. 174/1001 Underground 2/5 Shore Leave 1/5 Dave the Butcher 2/5 Johnsburg, Illinois 2/5 16 Shells from a 30.6 3/5 Tom With No Cheer 3/5 In the Neighborhood 3/5 Just Another Sucker on the Vine 3/5 Frank's Wild Years 2/5 Swordfishtrombone 3/5 Done, down, down 3/5 Soldier's Things 3/5 Gin Soaked Boy 2/5 Trouble's Braids 2/5 Rainbirds 3/5 Average: 2,47 This is not really for me.
Grows on you. Like a fungus.
This was a weird album. Not really a fan of his voice, but some of the music was interesting. 2/5
Unique and ingenious and fully carnivalesque. Alternately raw ("Underground" and "Gin Soaked Boy") and haunting ("Solider's Things") and hilarious ("Frank's Wild Years"), and don't leave out lovely ("Johnsburg, Illinois" and "In the Neighborhood" and "Rainbirds") and totally memorable (the title cut). This is awfully close to masterpiece territory though one's always preferred Raindogs. More Brecht than Beefheart, thanks to the theatricality, which seems to come so naturally to TW.
Un poco rollo. Aún así,, me han gustado mucho 3 canciones.
Very interesting album. Lots of varied musical styles and a rhythm all its own. More musicians should experiment with sounds and tempos. Not my personal kind of music, but very laudable in its ambition. First half was more entertaining that the last.
Oh! bittersweet rhythms, hangovers, poems written on napkins dedicated to prostitutes. Everything and nothing expressed in a song while a marimba plays a disoriented harmony in a stacatto. This is the album that gave Tom his second air. And it's lovely. Frankie's wild years is fantastic
Between a 3 and 4. Definitely weird
2.5 funny spooky Halloween vibes but probably wouldn’t listen to again
My dear late great auntie Dolores used to play this album for me at bed time to help me fall asleep. It just doesn't hit the same without the smell of her cheap lavender perfume and stale cigarette smoke. When she took out her dentures and sang along, I could have sworn Tom was there in the room with me. Sometimes I wish I hadn't pawned her stand up bass all those years ago, but it was really doing a number on her spine, lugging it to the gigs at the Cameron House every Sunday night. Spending all that money on pogs was the real kick in the balls though. Auntie always said that the electric bass was for pussies. I wouldn't go that far, but the double bass on Soldier's Things and on the title track sure sounds good. Miss you Auntie. Rest in Pudding.
"Swordfishtrombones" by Tom Waits is a departure from his earlier, more accessible work, venturing into avant-garde and experimental territory. Released in 1983, this album showcases Waits' raspy voice and unique songwriting style, blending elements of blues, jazz, and experimental music. While "Swordfishtrombones" is praised for its creativity and originality, its unconventional sound may be off-putting to some listeners. The album's rough production and dissonant melodies can make it challenging to connect with on a deeper level. Additionally, its eclectic nature may feel disjointed, lacking the cohesive flow found in Waits' later works. Overall, "Swordfishtrombones" is a bold and daring album that pushes musical boundaries, but its avant-garde nature may not appeal to everyone, warranting a 2 out of 5 rating.
I wouldn't have liked this back when I started the challenge but today I thought it was engaging and entertaining throughout, worth a listen
Favourite songs: Gin Soaked Boy, Swordfishtrombone, "Down, Down, Down", 16 Shells from a 30.6, Frank's Wild Years, In the Neighbourhood, Underground Least favourite songs: Town With No Cheer 5/5
A typical Tom Waits album, for better or worse. Actually, this one isn't half bad. 3/5
2/5 It's not really my cup of tea. It started off kinda rough and I thought I was going to really dislike this, but it progressed well and towards the end it got a lot better with songs like "Soldier's Things" and "Gin Soaked Boy". This deserves a strong 2.
I think the top review describes this as Halloween music and that is definitely the vibe here. Not for me, but they clearly had fun with it!
não gostei
Weird but did not like it.
Nah...
Weird album Standout song: 16 shells from a 30.6
Definitely an acquired taste, but one I’m okay with
If I wanted to listen to gibberish spoken into a microphone, this is the perfect album.
Shite
Puh - makes me nervous. No relaxing or positive music. not mine
Pure Waits, nice to hear
Such an annoying type of guy - an 80s LA dude pretending to be a beat poet roadhouse bluesman, a middle class Bukowski-wannabe fixated on the down-and-out figures of a previous generation. It's pastiche all the way down. The music is pretty decent though, slow moody and stripped down to drums and a bassline with either jazz horns, bagpipes, or guitars filling it out along with the barroom piano/organ. His vocals though, not so much; he croaks the lyrics like a strung out hermit, he has a voice like a crapped out speaker, but even that seems like part of the affectation.
what the fuck was bro yapping about for real
Much more enjoyable than I was expecting. Still very gnarly at times but I could get into the clunky thudding groove of this one.
Not just not for me.
Very polarizing guy. Personally, I find times where I enjoy his gnarled crackle of a voice. Other times, I tolerate it. This music has a very specific purpose of either intent listening or background ignorance, both while consuming hard liquor. A wide range of instruments, creative, dark and whimsical.
Another Tom waits album and his style is just so unique and different that it’s hard to hate and easy to hate at the same time. He’s not a good singer yet he is a good lyricist and a decent story teller. His instrumentals and production is off the wall and the albums are its own thing. His music if made for late night adventures but he’s so difficult to listen to which is probably why his music is aimed for drunks who are already out of it. Unfortunately I’m sober when I listen to this. 4.7/10
Fantastic album. A bit of a change I toms direction at the time. The 1st of the "trilogy".
Tom is an acquired taste and I acquired it on my first listen. This album is an old friend and as good as I remember. I once tried Franks Wild Years as an audition piece.
Another hurdy-gurdy Tim Burton-esque musical soundtrack. Entertaining for one listen.
4.25
I really liked the song Underground, it's the song that I never realized was spoofed in the movie Robots. I also liked 16 Shells From A 30.6. Overall a good and interesting album.
I mean, yeah, it's Tom Waits. Sometimes he's on point, but this one just doesn't find that point for me. It's fine though. A sign of things to come.
If you don't know Tom Waits' stuff you should give this and/or Rain Dogs a go. You might hate them, but you'll probably think they're brilliant.
What on earth did I just listen to?
Very weird. I recognize his voice from a bunch of movie/TV songs and stuff.
Take an unshaven shuffle through the neon rain, with nothing but a pack of dirty playing cards and a lonely heart. Follow the slow parade drumming down some empty town street, remembering all the dirty details of the neighborhood. Dip into the desert a couple times while you’re at it and take in the snapshots of tragic lives, and if you’re thirsty, drink water from a swordfishtrombone. What the hell is it anyway, and is the water any good? Count the number of parties playing in the heads of people you pass every damn day. In Waits' real life, this is his big artistic break from the past, both creatively and professionally. He'd completed his Asylum contract, and this was as good a time as any to move away not only from his producer but his (swindling) manager. Waits and his wife took over managerial responsibilities themselves, and they seem to have done a better job with that side of the business as well. Brennan--his wife--also brings her influences to bear, including giants like Captain Beefheart. Asylum rejected this record, as it was a departure from his previous sound, so Waits took up Island's offer to release it.
I see there are some harsh reviews of this album. This is the first Tom Waits album I owned and it blew me away. He is the ultimate storyteller and he is poetic and so specific that you tend to believe there's a story behind the story of the song. Soldiers Things Town woth No Cheer, 16 Shells, the title track: all genius lyrics with cool instrumentation so unique and engaging. Shame a lot of people don't dig it but I do.
Goofy ahh music
Mumbling conceptual greatness irony...
Venturing into Tom Waits' "Swordfishtrombones," I was aware of the frequent parallels drawn between Waits and another favourite of mine—Nick Cave. While I can appreciate the raw storytelling that Waits brings to his music, I found myself yearning for more melody within the compositions. The album presents a challenging listen. Waits' approach, particularly on this album, leans heavily into spoken word territories. While undeniably unique, it often strays too far from the melodic path that I find most engaging. It's in the slower, more stripped-back piano tracks where I find a stronger connection to his music. These moments align more closely with my tastes. Favourite Tracks: Johnsburg Illinois, Soldier's Things, Rainbirds
What can I say? I like Tom Waits. The title track is particularly delightful.
SpongeBob ass opening track. My god. Actively pissed me off to listen to this. I do NOT like his voice.
Légitime a very good album. So funny.
4 is probably too high but I had a great time listening to this. It was goofy all the way through but fun.
I hate Tom Waits.
Oof. Swing and a miss here. At first I thought it was a Halloween themed album, then I was convinced I heard some circus music in there. One listen and done for this album. Even then, it was extremely difficult to make all the way through. This was brutal for the listener. I'd give a zero if available.
1.5 Yeah, I’m sorry, I don’t get this dude - Both of his albums have now sounded like The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack but if Danny Elfman was on deliriants when he composed it. I’m not someone normally opposed to unconventional music or vocals, but I really have no idea what this is supposed to be or whom it’s for. Like, I can’t imagine what would compel someone to be like “Oh man, you know what song I would kill to hear right now? Underground by Tom Waits.” Still, I would rather listen to this over that German industrial album we had or Throbbing Gristle, so I’ll bump it up to 1.5. I do think there’s a sense of musicianship buried underneath it all, and there’s no denying it takes a unique mind to put this kind of thing together, but still, it just doesn’t speak to me at all - it feels more like a thing for edgy theatre kids. Most positive thing I can say about this album - driving through Hollywood at night time listening to 16 Shells From a 30.6 was kind of a vibe, but I don’t think I would go out of my way to do it again.
Tom waits is a total mood.
It gave me the heebie jeebies at times. Didn't care for this.
Tom Waits. An acquired taste.
First time listener. It made me feel very drunk, without the hangover. I did break into thirds - about 20 mins at a time is enough Waits to keep me inebriated.
Such a perfect record.
How many god damn Tom Waits albums are on this god forsaken list. This is the 4th one I've gotten in like a month. Sounds like a cracked out muppet that lives in the circus.
This has got everything I love about Tom Waits on it. Enjoyed every second of it.
This album is good. It's I think the earliest album of his I've heard that has this sort of sound, and I like the transitional aspect of it, i.e. it's a bit more minimalist. All in all, it's Tom Waits so it's gonna be good. 4/5
Easily high-tier Tom. A really cohesive collection with some of his best work. It’s maybe not my favorite but I could easily recommend it to newbies. A-
Love the unexpected music and great voice. His album I liked the beast. Great discovery
Dave the Butcher came on and Andy said really earnestly “this song is how I imagine it would sound to be haunted by a clown”.
Swordfishtrombones is a massive stylistic shift for Waits from his bluesy, piano bar jazz origins. It opens with the off-kilter guitar and gritty snarl of Underground, which I first heard in 2005 animated film Robots - the image sticks with me every time I start the album as the industrial pounding throughout the song perfectly complements the demonic robot factory that is portrayed, lava and all. There is so much to love here as the tracklist lurches through an incredible and inspired mix of sinewy, slinking marimba-accented cabaret like the title track and Shore Leave (with its desperate mews towards the end); heartfelt ballads like the gorgeous Johnsburg, Illinois; multiple madcap accordion solos; and absolute freaking ragers like 16 Shells and Down Down Down, as well as the rousing anthem In the Neighbourhood closing out the first side. Genre wise, it’s frankly all over the place, feeling even less connected than the equally diverse but somehow more conceptually together sequel to this album, Rain Dogs (which is my personal favourite Waits project). But there is magic in this chaos, and while it’s never too clear where Waits is going to go next, it’s one hell of a fun ride
It's Tom Waits, so you know it's good. That being said, this album is clearly a point of transition for his sound, not the piano man style of the 70s but not the peak of the "dark cabaret" style that he really perfected from Rain Dogs onward, so I feel it's amongst his weaker outputs.
I would say I am a fan of Tom Waits, but I have not delved very far into his catalog. I am glad that some of his releases are included in this list. I have not listened to this before but I found it very enjoyable. Waits gets his inspiration from all manner of jazzy and bluesy influences with a vaudevillian atmosphere and lyrics that stem from the darker, seedier side of life. Also being a fan of Captain Beefheart, I can also note similarities with Waits' music there as well. A really good listen, looking forward to experiencing some more from Mr. Waits.
Interesting album
Calling vocals and instrumentation that you would expect from a drunken person "experimental rock" is an insult to experimental rock.
Reminded me of Nick Cave but even weirder. Don’t know how much I’ll ever come back to listen to this but is definitely unique. Rating: 2.9
High key, the instrumentation and instrumentals are incredible. I really don't like the singer's voice, though. The spoken parts are kind of perfect. I really don't like how much I actually truly enjoyed this album.
Listened Before? N I just can't. This list has too much "experimental" stuff on it. I get that Tom is revered for his stuff, but it is NOT for me. Banging on pots and pans and yelling is definitely not my genre. Added a star for reputation but I wouldn't willingly listen to this again. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Johnsburg, Illinois (because it's short)
A beautiful album. One of my top (sometimes favorite) Tom Waits albums.
Harsh voice, dark lyrics but good music
iconic
Cool
Reading the reviews on here you’d think Tom Waits has a devoted cult following - and you’re right, he does - but I found this experimental rock nigh impenetrable, with only some of the more melodic entries and his gravely voice being standouts. I’m sure there’s a lot more of him on this list too.
Lyssnade mycket på en tom waits-skiva som liten. Tror dock det bara var covers. Gillar ändå soundet lite. Rösten och klankadet. Men på denna skiva kändes det sisådär
Jag har lyssnat en del på Closing time tidigare och den är bra mycket bättre än denna. Gillar ett par låtar, typ In the neighborhood och Swordfishtrombone, men i övrigt är det lite för konstnärligt och konstigt (på ett inte så bra sätt).
Album 345 of 1001 Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones Rating : 5/ 5 Tom Waits is one of my all time favorites and this is one of his best albums, in my opinion. There is no other rating I could even consider. He moves away from his piano-based songwriting towards "unusual instrumentation and a somewhat more abstract and experimental rock approach". He is one to check out if you aren't familiar with him. He has been described as "The free spirit who watched from the fringes. Tom Waits is a kind of modern troubadour, putting his husky, rasping voice to use singing his lyrical love letters to the outsiders, the drifters and the nonconformists."
Tom is great whether he’s solo on piano or conjuring up some interesting complimentary sounds Like some of his other stuff better but never disappointed to hear a Tom Waits song
Yea baby! This guy doesn’t give a #%$&. Never disappoints and a true original.
Experimental madman. Making sounds and going far out in every direction
Man he's a difficult artist idiosyncratic,unique, talented but tough to listen to. 3 stars
I am guessing this is one of the less accessible tom waits albums but '16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six' unlocked it for me somehat. What a jam.
idk it’s probably beloved by someone smarter than me
More my thing than Dylan, but not my thing.
2.5 wasn’t really feeling this one
Not for me at all.
Nope. Never really enjoyed his “music.” To each, her own. In my opinion, he’s boring.
I've never been a fan of Tom Waits' vocals. This album I found out he can sound "normal", so apparently he chooses ultra rasp. Also, most of the time when he doesn't use a raspy style, he does spoken word, which is also not my cup of tea. Instrumentally I think it's a decent album for the most part. I quite enjoyed Rainbird.
I liked this one more than Rain Dogs. Overall great swampy blues.
I like it–crazy and eclectic
This was dare I say torturous. Nothing remotely enjoyable or compelling here.
favourite song: 16 shells from a 30.6 really cool album. ive been meaning to get into tom waits for a while and this has me wanting more.
Yeah, not for me dog. The acclamation of genius to an old pisshead growling over piano pisses me off more than the music itself
Tom Waits is a weird dude. He’s also a terrific musician and unique artist. I find this to be his best album and his grumbling also drunken vocality sticks out in all the best ways. To say nothing of how absolutely fucking cool this album is.
The later "weirdo" period Tom Waits songs always sound to me like they should be performed by an old man dressed like a sea captain at some off-off-Broadway interpretive performance of Bukowski works. That's not a bad thing. Like other artists (like Beefheart) I have to be in the mood to listen to it, and Tom Waits is still one of the coolest guys to ever walk the earth, but it's great music.
This guy has an awesome voice but the music is a miss for me
Ugh. Why would this be on a list of anything that anyone should ever listen to? People compare tom waits to beefheart and zappa, and I feel like this album just proves all that wrong and shows that hes not "experimental" or "unique", he just sucks. 1/5
Gravaled drunked rambling. Its good affect but he needs some other trick
I thought I liked this album, but on hearing it again I think i prefer somevof his other stuff
Having a backlog of Tom Waits albums in my 1001 history, maybe tackling them one after another is not the best approach... it's all so samey... gravelly drunk monologuing. Again, it's not bad... it's just, well, just.
Interesting but ultimately probably not one of the 1001 albums I needed to hear. Not bad.
Mutig und abgedreht. Kunst.
its okay, sounds like a prototype for hadestown
Weird, but not too weird. I like it. Remarkable voice. Instrumentation with horns and stuff. Favorite song: Swordfishtrombone
Interesting if not a hundred percent my thing. I haven't listened to a lot of Tom Waits, but this was a good way to cut my teeth on his music.
Dude bangin on a trash can is better than some people on guitar.
• Omslaget ser jazzigt ut och det gillar ju hannes, ser också ut som de har whiteface • Inte vad jag förväntade mig.. •Ja det här va ju intressant • Blir lite bättre nån låt in • Blir lite sugen på att spela boule och dricka pastis • Nu kom det jazziga Betyg: Vissa låter är hyfsade, men det finns mycket som är antingen tråkigt eller konstigt => 2/5
Mest bara weird
Not something I'd deliberately choose to listen to, but fun music that I enjoy when it does appear.
That was some good shit. Beatnik Bullshit. Tom Waits might be actually insane for writing this. Somehow it all seemed to flow well together in my head even though there was absolutely no clear sign of what instrument anyone was supposed to be playing. “Town with No Cheer” had bagpipes, accordion, electric piano, and I think even and then the next track starts immediately with a marching snare and brass band. As music I want to just listen to in the car, this album fails, but as a audible art, I think it is beautiful. I was very into that little vignettes that Waits was painting and I love the wild choices for different instrumentation on each track. To me it shows talent to write pieces for such a variety of ensembles. I also just enjoy hearing music in those more uncommon instruments. I also just thought that “Johnsburg, Illinois”, “Just Another Sucker on the Vine”, and “Rainbirds”were simply beautiful jazz pieces. It reminds me of the same enjoyment I get out of Frank Zappa, but like much a much rougher, and cigarette-addicted Frank Zappa. Frank Crappa, perhaps. Good bass too.
This album wasn't necessarily one-star terrible, but definitely close. Tom Waits (assuming that is the man behind the vocals) sounds like he's trying to impersonate Louis Armstrong but instead sounds like Cookie Monster's grandma who chain-smoked cigarettes every day of her life. I think the musical aspect of this album is its only saving grace. But even then, it mostly sounds like Rocky Horror Picture Show had a love child with a shitty blues album and this is the result.
This guy is the Insane Clown Posse of artistic, experimental bullshit
Underground - most popular song on the album? Not impressed so far. Shore leave - now this I can dig Halfway point and I just want it to be over. Tom was always someone I thought I’d want to check out. Hopefully his other stuff is better. Just not my thing. I guess we see how the second half goes…. Ok, maybe swordfishtrombone? Meh
There have been several artists I thought I knew on this 1001 journey, and I don't think I've been more wrong with Tom Waits. I guess I just assumed all Toms are the same and he was similar to Tom Petty. Nope. At least not in this album. This album is pretty wacky in a good way. Several songs sound like they are sung by a Muppet, and that isn't a bad thing earlier, just an unusual vocal style. From seeing this is his 8th album I wouldn't have expected him to only be 34 at the time. "Underground" sets the tone right away and is a song id love to see Tenacious D cover if they haven't already, then it just keeps going on a wild ride. I've been critical of similar oddball albums, but this one just makes sense out of its strangeness in a way I really can't explain. Favorite track "Underground" 4/5
Going through this list has certainly changed my perceptions of some artists for the better, however Tom Waits is not one of them. I didn't think I liked him before and I was right. Boring
# Playlist track - Down, Down, Down # Notes - Tom Waits' shtick is somewhat repetitive. There are fun instrumentals, but I couldn't even get myself to pay attention to the lyrics. - Giving it one extra star, because this is better than Bone Machine
Kann man anhören. Vor dem Kamin.
A bit underwhelming Tom Waits' album. His voice is still on its own level, but the atmosphere of the record and the songs were quite "normal". I liked the instrumental one, but that's not what I was looking for in this album. I've heard many better position in Tom's discography.
This one is so random. It is part folk, country, jazz, blues all at once. A little bit of it all and I personally wasn't the biggest fan. the closing track was nice, mellow and relaxed but the rest of the album just didn't do it for me. Felt kinda wacky and just glued together unsticky school glue.
Knarley
Classy artist
Not really into Tom Waits although this was interesting.
Favorite track: 16 shells from a 30.06
Not my favorite…
You either live or hate Tom waits and with this album I’m somehow in both categories now. I hated some songs but loved others and also hated other albums of his but half loved this one which I truly never expected. Despite shit like shore leave I loved the 80s influenced jazz vibe on this. Super unique but probs best in small doses
Sorry ... mér finnst þetta bara of erfitt í fyrstu hlutun, kemst ekki inn og finnst bara leiðinlegt.
This is his best album. It’s gorgeous.
I normally like Tom Waits. But I think the experimental instruments were too much of a distraction for me.
Dieses Album habe ich bereitsgekannt und findet sich auch in meinem Besitz. Jetzt hatte ich das Vergnügen die Remastered Version von 2023 zu hören. Die Instrumentierung und Arrangements sind einfach fantastisch. In jeder Hinsicht ein Hörabenteuer im positiven Sinne. Meisterhaft. Die Songs "In the neighborhood", "Underground", "Johnsbug, Illinois", ""Rainbirds" sind meine absoluten Lieblingsnummern. Da schmelze ich dahin. Das Album wäre insgesamt eindeutig eine 5. Aber es ist die Stimme: zugegeben sie ist anders und für 4 Nummern wunderbar. Dann aber brauche ich wieder eine Pause. Aber ich weiß, das ist sehr subjektiv und gegenüber dem Künstler unfair, weil sie ist einzigartig, unglaublich und gibt dem ganzen eine einzigartige Note: Tom Waits
Wtf
If you're in the mood for swampy blues, this is the album for you!
Today is the day for gravelly voices. This feels correct for Tom Waits. The man is a true nutter, an iconoclast. No one else can do this. It sounds like the soundtrack for the movie in his head. You can hear all the little touches that influenced other artists. Sonic Youth’s squealing guitar, Peter Murphy’s xylophone. And that’s just song two. That he was doing this in ‘83, is truly remarkable. The man creates his own world with these sounds. No one was this bravely individualistic, never mind successful. I should hate the shit out of this, but it’s excellent. Might never listen to it again, but there’s nothing wrong here. It’s unique, interesting, careful and funny. He even made warbling sound tender. Like, how? Seriously, I want to watch the movie in his brain that inspired this. I tried like hell to hate this record, but it’s just not possible. This is excellent. It made me finally appreciate Tom Waits.
Intriguing, weird, probably nfm
He is an unusual talent not to my liking.
I give it a 1 because it has bagpipes - which is a good thing.
It was interesting
Well, I definitely didn't have punk vaudeville on my bingo card. This album is weird as hell ... but I like it. This album is impossible to categorize. It has theatrical sketches, discordant carnival instrumentals, Randy Newman–esque ballads, outlaw epics, blues jams, and jazzy numbers. There are all sorts of weird instruments—bagpipes, African drums, xylophones, harmoniums, and stuff I don't recognize. Waits' gravelly voice at times sound like Oscar the Grouch (especially when he's wailing "the neighborhood"), a Louis Armstrong or Howlin' Wolf impersonator, or an earnest singer-songwriter. There are even some spoken-word lounge stories. The storytelling in the lyrics is great. Almost every song has a full narrative. There are songs about homesick sailors, dead soldiers, towns falling into disrepair, brutal criminals, and more—there are 15 tracks, but the album clocks in at a relatively short 41 minutes and change. Standout tracks: "16 Shells from a 30.6" (outlaw rock), "Down Down Down" (uptempo bluesy jam), "Soldier's Things" (beautifully sad piano ballad), and I'm definitely adding "Underground" to my Halloween playlist. Waits' voice takes some getting used to, and it isn't always super pleasant to listen to, but he inhabits his characters so well that it works a huge percentage of the time. Though, the blues impersonations can feel a little like a minstrel show sometimes, even if they sound good. Maybe not something I'd listen to that often, but it's an impressive work of art and never boring. Fans of artists like Nick Cave, Dresden Dolls, and Tori Amos would probably enjoy it. 4/5
A wonderful album. Dark, sleazy and beautiful.
Pretty weird, but I like it for some reason
Weird, groovy. Some Zappa or Captain Beefheart vibes to it. I like it.
Interesante, álbum experimental. La o las voces son interesantes pero la técnica me parece muy mala. En algunas canciones la afinación vocal es pésima.
Tom’s got a strong base of a album with deep lyrics complimented by a stable backing track. However, the constants of the instrumentation such as drums and bass, or whatever he’s using, is drowned and muddied out by all of the noise he chose to put in over top. Not only is there too much of it to appreciate the actual structure of the album, but you can barely hear it over all the noise. As for his lyrics, they’re fantastic as always, but I only know that because I had to look them up seeing as his voice makes almost every track unintelligible. Point being; a great album is only great if you can hear its greatness. 3/5
Good
Odd. Not what I expected but does definitely include some good music if you're a fan of brass instruments.
When you are in a Tom Waits mood, there is nothing else that comes close. Such a unique sound.
Mr Waits has been pretty consistent for me in that I can appreciate it, I'm just not sure its for me. This might be a first where it has a bagpipes solo....its fine, moody, and probably "cool" but I'll never put it on again.
I'm sorry. This is just dumb. Anyone pretending to enjoy this is a pretentious gimp.
Listening to this in 2023, were one inclined to feel uncharitable, I would say this sounds kinda like Jack Black making a Tom Waits album. I like Tom Waits as a person more than as a singer unfortunately.
Spooky
What a strange album! Love the music, but my throat hurts after listening to home sing.
Interesting music but not to my taste overall. Liked a few of the songs.
This is the first of the 'Frank's Wild Years' trilogy and signalled a turn towards quirkier, more diverse songs with the accent on back street dives and gin-soaked beauties and small town losers. The songs are of a consistently high standard throughout, particularly In the Neighbourhood, Johnsburg Illinois and Soldier's Things. Only bettered (just) by Raindogs, the follow-up album
omg stop stop stop stop STOP STOP FUCKING STOP
Tom Waits is...special. "In the Neighborhood" would be the most popular track on this album, and I quite like it, the rest of this album, not so much.