Reviews (page 6 of 8)
I appreciate the artisty, but I feel like I really need to be in the right mood for Mr. Waits. Wasn't in it today. 2.9/5.
I get that it’s probably good, it just doesn’t appeal to me at all
A bit too surreal for me!
I think I just don't get Tom Waits, and at this point unless I have some Eureka moment with him where it all clicks, he just aint for me. The whole album is like walking through a weird amusement park. It makes you feel uncomfortable and out of place.
Niet mijn ding
intrestin. not my taste.
There's a weird freaky circus vibe at points- it's like he knows I've been listening to the magnus archives. A couple songs I really like but too much weirdness just for the sake of being weird for me. Favourite song: In The Neighborhood Least: Dave the Butcher
I wanted to give 1 star but Down, down, down and Soldier's Things earned one more.
What the helly is this? Stand-outs - Johnsburg, Illinois - Just Another Sucker On The Vine
I feel like there are two ways to do experimental music. You can do something like Sunbather by Deafheaven, where you have a legitimately new and interesting idea to put into the world, and you execute it in the best way you can. Or you can do this album, where you just do weird bullshit so you can label yourself experimental. And it works in certain spots, I think there are some fun songs on this album, but for the most part its just kind of a slog to get through. I couldn't stand his voice on most of the album, and the use of alternate percussion was just sort of weird. I think there's a universe where this is good and I like it, but this is NOT it. Favorites: Shore Leave, 16 Shells From A 30.6, Frank's Wild Years
Tom Waits works when he’s in his very specific wheelhouse. He has ventured FAR out of that wheelhouse for a lot of this.
Not my tempo.
I want to like Tom Waits but like the last TW album offered by 1001, I found this one painfully difficult to listen to. His strained, gravel voice just doesn’t resonate with me.
kinda...scary? idk
Tom. Being Tom. As I expected.
This felt like a collection of stories, with varying levels of musical backing. It has some good songs and ideas, but it is so scattered.
There’s something here. But then Tom Waits cuts in. Don’t think this belongs on a top 1000 or even top million albums.
this album is uh...pretty weird. experimental? iconic? an artistic outlet of personal expression? this album is notable in what it is but it is not for me.
2/5
Meh, could take it or leave it - mostly leave it.
Suffers from Bob Dylanitis as I can’t stand his voice but this is one of the more compelling album soundscapes I have heard thus far, sounding carnivalesque? At least it is interesting.
I just can’t with that voice. You can write all the great lyrics, and melodies of the world, but throw that on top of it and it’s a no for me. 1.75 out of 5, but I’ll be nice and round that to 2 stars
1.5 Fine, it's hard to judge Avant Garde from a single listen, but a) I can't be arsed giving it more than one listen as b) I didn't enjoy it. It wasn't as awful as some stuff on here, which is why it's score isn't rock bottom. But jesus christ, if someone tells you they love Tom Waits, run a mile.
The description of this album says it is a big departure from his earlier work, but to me it still sounds like the album I had much earlier in this project. It sounds like him sitting around playing his style of music, the only thing missing is the audience. I dont dislike it, but its not grabbing me like I hoped it would. Strong start though. Overall, pretty pleasant.
The instrumental tracks are interesting; the tracks with vocals are nails-on-a-chalkboard bad. Mostly hated this entry.
This is a heavy spooky album for Waits. I love him, but I am not a fan of Spooky Waits. And the melodic stuff here, in addition to being infrequent, isn't all that good. Sorry, Tom! Forgive me!
Album 300 and I have no clue what to even say about it... I've heard songs by Tom Waits before, and I've viewed him as an acquired taste. Back in my album collecting days this one was touted as a "must own." I never got my hands on a copy of it, or any of his records, so I'd never actually listened to one of them before. Upon listening, and giving it my full attention as it's a Sunday and I wasn't driving or doing anything else, I found the album to be well made, well performed, and certainly cohesive in its concept. There were a few songs that I felt stood out-16 Shells From a 30.6, In the Neighborhood, and Swordfishtrombone. Much of the rest seemed more ideas for songs to me than actual ones. Ultimately, with the viewpoint of this being an experimental album, that makes sense. But it really didn't make it an overall enjoyable experience for me. This will fall into the category of respected rather than enjoyed. An album I wanted to like more than I did.
Liked In The Neighbourhood (?) Truly confusing album in terms of rating as it is more like a soundtrack/moodboard Very amusing Halloween music
Entertaining
I lyset af andre anmeldte albums kan jeg ikke retfærdiggøre at give mere end 2 her
Jeg holdt sgu ikke hele albummet ud her
Wow I really did not know anything about Tom Waits. And I hope that I don't fall in love with you is the only song I knew. This isn't something I'd listen to on my own. I found is fun, bluesy, but not an easy listen?
I once went to a play where it began by the cast sitting around in the middle chatting to each other almost inaudibly, with no acknowledgement of the audience. It was only a few minutes in that you realised this was in fact the thing you'd paid to come and see. This was quite a similar experience; I had to keep checking that it had, in fact, started. The play? That got a lot better as it went along, and ended up being really good. This album? Not really. I'm afraid if I've learned one thing on this voyage, it's that Tom Waits does little for me. There are little hints and glimpses of his great voice and playfulness, but it's just lost in a sea of false starts and insouciance.
Whilst I am fond of Tom Waits and his unique brand of murderous hobo blues sang by someone who sounds like an ashtray smells, this is about the third album I’ve had from him. Is this as essential as ‘mule variations’? Not to me. 2/5 plus a recommendation to rename the book 501 albums to hear before you die.
I appreciate that this sounds quite different from the other TW albums we have heard so far, but this was particularly entertaining
I want to like a Tom Waits album. But this is more . . . vibes than songs and music. 2.5?
Bloody weird. Strange guy.
Listening to my first Tom Waits album felt like reading Infinite Jest for the first time: parts were brilliant and engaging, parts felt confusing, obtuse and a pain to get through, and in the end I don't know I could possible recommend the listen to. I don't see myself ever going back to this, even if I am glad I gave it a listen.
Greatest anti-smoking ad ever
Try as I might, I am just not a Tom Waits fan.
Huh, the schtick can get a little tiresome, for me.
Globalement, c'est non.
The music is pretty good at points but I just can’t get over his voice
Not my thing. Tom Waits' voice has such a unique timbre, but at times it comes off as too... Broadway? Or corny?
We've already been through Waits doing old bluesman cosplay on Heartattack & Vine, and now we Tom Waits doing Captain Beefheart cosplay here, and he's about as convincing, which is to say not at all. For the people who genuinely derive enjoyment from his music and aren't just listening it to make themselves feel cooler somehow, I'm happy for you! (And I will admit "Down, Down, Down" is actually pretty good.) Since I don't want to be entirely negative, I do think it's very cool and romantic (I'm reviewing this on the day after Valentine's Day, appropriately) that Waits met his wife in 1980, they were married within a week and have been together ever since. That's nice! Happy Belated Valentine's Day, Tom.
Respect the artistry but not my thing
Just don't get the appeal. Album picked up a little towards the end. But it mostly sounds like a drunk lounge singer in an off-strip Vegas hotel. I guess it's not for me. 2/5 Won't listen again
This album was quite interesting. I felt as if I were in a live art exhibit. Poor pup
very interesting….
Eerie and musty like a creepy swamp
Wasn’t overly for me sadly. Really liked in the neighborhood though it was excellent
Can’t lie, after hearing the masterpiece that is ‘Underground’ I spent the majority of the album distracted by the animated masterpiece ‘Robots’ and the scene that features that song.
2/3. Weird album, but I can’t deny that it kept my attention. His voice is awful but in a distinctive way, some of the music is actually pretty interesting, and the lyrics all tell a story (some better than others). Frank’s Wild Days actually made me laugh at the end, just like Tom himself.
Hobo circus
I don't know how to rate this album. I think it shouldn't be an album. You should go to a blues club and see this live. There needs to be that atmosphere. There are some songs that sound like an old movie soundtrack which is comforting. But this kind of sbstract and experimental doesn't work with me really. Not all songs suit me, so sadly, I can't rate it highly. But it is not bad.
Strange album. Backing tracks that you might find in a Beefheart vaudeville act support a mix of spoken and sung gravel vocal by Waits. Think this was just a bit eclectic for me.
01) Underground - 5,5 02) Shore Leave - 5,0 03) Dave the Butcher - 5,0 04) Johnsburg, Illinois - 6,5 05) 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six - 7,5 06) Town with No Cheer - 6,0 07) In the Neighborhood - 5,5 08) Just Another Sucker on the Vine - 3,0 09) Frank's Wild Years - 3,0 10) Swordfishtrombone - 6,0 11) Down, Down, Down - 5,5 12) Soldier's Things - 5,0 13) Gin Soaked Boy - 6,0 14) Trouble's Braids - 4,0 15) Rainbirds - 4,0 TOTAL: 5,17 (52/100) Current ranking: 731/800
There are certainly good songs on this, but it's mostly just sorta strange in a not great way, which drags the entire thing down.
Yeah this one is not for me
There were a couple interesting moments, but overall this wasn't great. It felt very disconnected and the singing was not nearly Waits' best.
Nice mix of things on a bed of gravelly voice
Ugh
what a quirky and unique album. not what i was expecting but ive realized i never heard anything by tom waits before! not my favorite but it was definitely something.
I’m not sure I ‘get’ Tom Waits. People love him, but I side from a couple songs, I really don’t understand.
A little bit too weird and abstract for me to enjoy casually. Not a huge fan of this, and probably will not be revisiting, but I can appreciate the experimental-ness of it.
Maybe in the right mood, but a little too much warble for me.
When i read he was "inspired" by Capt. Beefheart because his girlfriend have him a CB record, it made it all seem pretty embarrassing. He's doing a bad Captain Beefheart impression. If i had more time I could dive into this and be proven wrong, but early indications are Tom Waits sucks.
3.5/10
Some interesting sounds but not for me. Underground ★★☆☆☆ Shore Leave ★★☆☆☆ Dave the Butcher ★★☆☆☆ Johnsburg, Illinois ★★★☆☆ 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six ★★★☆☆ Town With No Cheer ★★☆☆☆ In the Neighborhood ★★☆☆☆ Just Another Sucker on the Vine ★☆☆☆☆ Frank’s Wild Years ★★☆☆☆ Swordfishtrombone ★★★☆☆ Down, Down, Down ★★★★☆ Soldier’s Things ★★★☆☆ Gin Soaked Boy ★★★☆☆ Trouble’s Braids ★☆☆☆☆ Rainbirds ★★★☆☆ Average Album Rating: 2.4/5.0 ★★☆☆☆
2 Sick today - I'll type up later but suffice to say I'm not a Tom Waits fan and I think two albums is enough (this is my second, sounded like the first, both are some kind of weird creepy house of horrors sound tracks out of voodoo New Orleans or something. I think he has 5 albums which is 4 too many)
Interesting but not enjoyable
Just ok, really.
Nope. Can't stand this guy's voice
I love Waits but this is one of his albums that I really don’t vibe with. He’s at his weirdest which is usually fine but this particular flavor doesn’t work for me
Not a Tom Waits fan
When I learned it was Tom Waits in the Ballad of Buster Scruggs, searching for Mr. Pocket, I was surprised because I loved that story. I DONT LOVE THIS.
Again, quite a weird one. Not really my type
If live swordfish were actually bent into trombones it would probably be less painful for them than forcing them into listening to this. I’m guessing this is Tom Wait’s grand turn into clink clank carnival songs with extreme pirate dog vocals. First song is certainly a bold move - it is one of the most awful things I’ve ever heard. So chilling in fact, the four horsemen of the apocalypse could use his voice on it to rotorvate the earth into even swifter destruction. 2nd track has some pretty painful guitar tones as well. 3rd track is like the shittiest drabbest circus music. After that the album does move slightly away from pure torture as there is a bit of variance and eclecticism plus maybe the actual occasional good song. In The Neighbourhood is a blubbery twinkly brass band ballad and Down Down Down is a snazzy green onions jazz jive only slightly spoiled by the ruffian growling n a grunting on top of it. Frank’s Wild Years is another snazzy track featuring spoken word as opposed to singing which means that’s it’s easily one of the less revolting pieces here despite the contents of the story. If I saw this album in someone’s collection I’d be hard pressed not to douse it in gas and set fire to it. Never could stand that Tom Waits.
Very special kind of music and voice.
Wait longer
Too weird
How are there two of these on the list?!?!
I personally prefer Tom Waits the actor to Tom Waits the musician. (2.5)
voice a bit silent, music too slow and a bit strange, not really my taste
How can people like this guy
This was a lot - a little too artsy for the sake of it for me. Grating vocals at times, real wild mix of songs, some good, some not.
I get it. This list will challenge me. Some surprisingly o.k. tracks ("16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought Six", "Down, Down, Down"...) plus some shitty ones ("Dave The Butcher", "Frank's Wild Years"...). Again the noises from his mouth almost ruins it for me.
Can’t really get past his voice, feels like a bad mix of Leonard Cohen and sea shanties
I didn’t really care for this.
I liked it better than the other Tom waits album on this list but still not my type of music that I would come back to.
A challenging listen, by an artist who probably purposely make his music annoying. I don't think I like this all that much, but I respect it and his artistry. I am happy of the cherry picked songs, but there is very little finesse to it, and therefore it really isn't for me.
um. Interesting
Couple of these I didn’t mind. More of them, however, that I minded a great deal.
I think it's safe to say that Tom Waits isn't for me. Hobo beatnik clown music. I'm sure that's good to some folks. 🤷
Sorry, Tom. You're just not my cup of tea.
# Album Name: Swordfishtrombones # Artist: Tom Waits # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Honestly, fuck tom waits up the ass. This guy fucking sucks man. # Top Tunes: Gin soaked boy # Would I listen to it again? No
6/1001 First listen. I’ve heard Tom Waits somewhere before and I guess it was enough to keep me away this long. Right away I recognize the song from the movie Robots. This one isn’t bad. The rest of the album isn’t as bad as I expected it to be either. At times it has an Over the garden wall feel. A quick Google says the soundtrack was in fact inspired by Waits. One song has a Somewhere down the crazy river style. More inspiration? Sounds like Jim Morrison on another track. I did give this about eight plays. It’s not bad but I’ve done my time on this one. I understand there are 4 more Tom Waits albums to go on this project. Seems excessive given what didn’t make the list.
he kinda sounds like if a zombie's vocal chords still worked enough to sing but truthfully i don't care for tom waits at all maybe if you gave me a pack of cigs and told me to live out a angry 3 rats in a trenchcoat vibe 2/5
Unique voice. Fitting for Halloween.
I didnt hate this one as much as the other one mostly because I could get into the more Halloween-townesque songs. He's just not for me. 2/5
I dunno man. Sometimes it's really good. Sometimes I'm wondering when it will end.
I felt like I was being chased down by a killer clown T-T
First time listening to a Waits album in full. Demands to be paid attention to, way too distracting to be work background music. Respect it, don’t love it.
Some circus clown shit. But I didn’t NOT enjoy it?
🦎
Not awful-awful, but pretty-awful; at least it made me feel better about my singing ability
Has Tom Waits tricked every critic? Am I the only one that hears this with clear ears?! I need answers, people!
The problem is, I hate his voice. I think there was probably some interesting stuff here musically but unfortunately, I hated listening to it due to his voice.
Sounds like a shitty Randy Newman. Like he it a brake drum with a stick in the 80's and said, "I'm gonna make an album out of that". I'm sure at the time, it was an avant garde album that many hipsters couldn't espouse greatly enough, it's not one that jives with my tenderest complexities in any way that makes me want to listen to it again... Please some one, help me make it make sense....
Locos, genios,modernos incomprendidos,¡¡ que se yo!!
минус-вайб
I've got the first three Waits albums on CD and enjoy them. This is messy and sounds like he's just making it up as he goes.
The music/instrumentals on this were alright and I even liked some of it, but I just couldn’t deal with the vocals. It was tolerable when they were soft spoken, but otherwise it was giving Cookie Monster and Scuttle from the Little Mermaid. Unsurprisingly, my two favorite tracks from this album were the instrumentals.
Not as grating as some of his stuff, but still no.
Never understood people's fascination with Tom Waits. I'd heard some songs here and there ("I Don't Wanna Grow Up" is my favorite and "Downtown Train" is good as well), but his gravelly voice and super-weird lyrics were off-putting. This album had a chance to change my mind, with flashes of melodies among the weird, bluesy stuff, but ultimately didn't win me over.
I think I would like this more if I was high. That said, I didn’t hate it… it was just… weird then normal then weird again. Vibes are scattered.
I liked some of the tracks, but as a whole it felt confused.
Okay, side two is better than side one, and I managed to get over his voice but the jazz elements and the tin pot tinkerings put me over the edge. I did like the Howlin’ Wolf style Gin Soaked Boy. On the plus side, the cover art is cool, and it’s better than Trout Mask Replica.
I wish I understood this guy better, always liked Ricki Lee so much more - this album unfortunately did not resonate w me and I ditched it 3 songs in
I can't with this mans carnival music
Swordfishtrombones – Tom Waits (1983) | Experimental Rock / Avant-Blues | Avg: 3.77 | Favorite Song: “Frank’s Wild Years” (by default)* Swordfishtrombones is a deep dive into Tom Waits’ most bizarre, theatrical tendencies—and I believe it wasn’t exactly a pleasant swim. With most tracks falling in the 2 to 5 range, it’s clear the off-kilter instrumentation, gruff vocals, and abstract songwriting didn’t land for you. “Frank’s Wild Years” stands out slightly above the rest, mostly for its storytelling charm, but even that doesn’t seem to redeem an album that you found more alienating than engaging. There’s no doubt this record is intentionally strange, and in the right context, that strangeness can feel like boundary-pushing artistry. But based on my scores, the relentless weirdness came across more as exhausting than adventurous. The album sacrifices melody for mood, coherence for character, and risks leaving the listener behind in the process. For fans of jagged carnival sounds and whiskey-soaked monologues, Swordfishtrombones is a cult classic—for you, it sounds like a misfire.
This felt like sitting through a long inside joke that you don’t understand. It’s weird enough to be off putting, and not quite so bad that it’s good. I really don’t get this
Is this what a bad acid trip sounds like?!? I don’t know what Tom was trying for but whatever it was, it missed the mark for me. Almost a 1 star but there were a few brief moments of a normal-ish sound so split the difference.
Man, I really don't like Tom Waits
Una voz muy peculiar, con una instrumental muy diferente a lo que puedes oír en cualquier otro artista. Parece casi un audiolibro con música detrás. 4/10
It doesn't completely suck - I just don't get who listens to this stuff. Its intentionally weird to me.
Tom Waits is just not my cup of tea. I'm guessing Tom Waits' favorite writer is Hunter S. Thompson. I just don't get all the circus organ music in these experimental albums, it's not a popular instrument for a reason. The old hobo music act wears thin pretty quickly. The spoken word Frank's Wild Years is the best song so far. The album gets better as it goes on but not by much.
Ok hear me out: You walk into the circus during off-hours and venture back into the place where the workers live. The strong man is on vocals, clowns on percussion, lion/elephant trainers on brass, acrobats on wind instruments. You’re not supposed to be here, this isn’t for you to hear. This is the personal project of the circus workers.
I don't think this is his best.
One of the albums of all time
I couldn't get into this at all. I've listened to previous albums of his via this site and been pleasantly surprised. Not this time though. I made it all the way through. It's 2 stars for me.
“cookiemonster, the musical“ meets “Randy Newman‘s least greatest hits“ meets the deranged lounge singer-esque rantings of an extremely sad clown. It’s so unserious it’s almost genius. At least I hope he wasn’t serious. I know Tom Waits from movies, but is he famous for this??
3/10
I read a comment that one of the people in the album cover looks like Ryan Giggs, and now I can't unsee it. The start of shore leave sounds like the introduction of the Radio 2 allotment with Terry Walton. The actual music isn't good, but thankfully, it wasn't as long as some of his other efforts on this list.
Man, I forgot how terrible this guy's voice is. It could hypothetically work, but definitely not with this weird faux-happy-mysterious-stomp mood that he insists on replicating in all of his music. And half the songs are musically unapproachable (see: the monstrosity Dave The Butcher). There are also a few songs that are technically fine but a bit empty of musical ideas (Frank's Wild Years, Rainbirds, Trouble's Braids). But many of the remaining songs have some interesting hooks to keep them afloat. In The Neighbourhood reminds me of a sort of slow Irish tune – not so different, melodically, from the Pogues album I listened to yesterday. Soldier's Things, while texturally not interesting at all, kind of makes Waits's voice work with the light, airy piano playing. The earlier song Johnsburg Illinois kind of does the same thing but as a sorrowful ballad. The trombone appears as early as the opening track, Underground (which is a dwarf-chant-type song reminiscent of Diggy Diggy Hole). I couldn't find any fish or swords, even in the title track. Maybe the fish are the friends we made along the way. All in all, the album's only cohesive factor is Waits's bad voice, which is not something to boast about. The music isn't terrible, but nor is it good – certainly not in album form. At least he kept it down to 40 minutes. 2/5 Key tracks: Underground, Johnsburg Illinois, In The Neighbourhood
Why does everybody like this guy?
What is this crap? Made it to the last two songs and had to turn it off, what a weird album, not at all for me!
Not my jam. Unique voice tho
This feels like something someone listens to so they can mention in casual conversation to an acquaintance or someone they've just met in an effort to be cool. Granted, some of the songs have appeal, but you're really ACTIVELY listening to this front to back repeatedly? Nice fucking fedora, goes well with your suspenders.
just not my kind of music i think
Not sure at all what to say. Kinda cool, kinda not cool and hard to get a grip of.
Tom Waits is a totally hit 'n miss artist for me, ephasis on misses sadly. Some of his blues stuff is sort of on my radar and few collaborations, but this weird alt stuff is not even interesting to me. Too much emphasis on lyrics and the music is not really that interesting, almost none of it suits my tastes.
Not a favourite of mine. I’ve grown to appreciate Tom waits a bit more than I did. But I’m still not a massive fan.
Asså det är väl existensberättigat men fattar inte riktigt viben.
hm… okay
This was maybe the most ridiculous Tom Waits album on this project to date. Yes, it has interesting instrumentation, and yes it has unique lyrics, but the overall experimental approach of this album is just more than I can handle when I'm already trying to wrap my mind around Tom Waits.
Tom Waits is an unusual artist. I like a few of his songs, and can appreciate him in small doses, but a full album is a bit much.
Tom Waits hater. Tom Waits hater. Tom Waits hater. 2/5
I’ll never understand why people think jazzy stuff like this is genius. Most of the first half was just gibberish and noise
3 songs, that was my limit on this album. A little too artsy for me. I guess I can see why people might like it, but it's not really my thing.
I love a concept album but this is just…weird.
It gets there, I struggled with it at first and I think it delights at that. After a while I really start to get it and enjoy it but maybe that's stockholm syndrome because I was desperate to stop listening in the first 3-4 tracks! Have always been intimidated by Tom Waits and so I procrastinated until 11pm to listen and that was probably the right call (for atmosphere purposes!!) thank you Tom :)
I don't get it. He's got a great voice though.
Only the neighborhood and down down down can be considered cohesive. The rest is clownesque and so disjointed I could never see myself recommending this album to anyone. I am happy for those who see their niche filled by this but it's not for me.
Standout Songs: Johnaburg, Illinois Frank’s Wild Years Down, Down, Down
I like the idea of Tom Waits more than I like his music.
I felt at times like I was at a fairground. Not in a good way. A creepy one. And some other eclectic stuff. But not excited. 2.
Not really my style
low 2, thanks for this sound, no more of that, alright, that was tom waits
Pre-listening thoughts: oh fuck off I hate tom waits Post/during listening thoughts: ROBOTS?! Literally forgot tom waits has a song in robots. I thought Spotify had just queued something random bc I had a bunch of these albums queued one after the other and right after Iron Maiden finished this started and all I could think of was Robots 😭😭. Well the rest of this was mostly terrible, some of the clanky industrial stuff was cool I suppose but overall it’s a mess. The spoken word is awful and the instrumental stuff is bizarre. 3/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Underground, 16 Shells from a 30.6 Least fav tracks: lowkey all of the rest of it. The two songs above are the only things keeping it from a 1
Just not a fan.
What in the world!?
Abstract experimental rock. Growling storyteller. Standout is "30 Shells From A 30.6"
Sometimes weird is good, but TW is out there!
I can't get into Tom Waits, even if I generally like experimental rock. It's one of those generally loved 5-star albums that I am going to rate low. I think I appreciate his originality but I don't like his voice and the songs don't do much for me. The instrumental closing track is nice, at least.
I'm sorry, Tom Waits. I don't think you're for me. I've been told there are like 5 of these albums and that this may be his best work based on the reviews for Swordfishtrombones on this site. That being said, I hope they're better than this. I gave it a solid and fair 3 listens, and it just didn't really resonate with me. "Down, Down, Down" is quite good, an actual jammer. While I don't find Tom's voice as bad as some others do, it's just a lot. There were brief moments of good music here, but they were very few and far between. A 2/5 for me.
Tom Waits is kind of exhausting to listen to. You really have to be in the right mood to listen to this.
I want to be hip and "cultured", I guess, but I have to say that I don't get it. I did like it more than 'Nighthawks at the Diner'. Have you seen Waits act? He was great in 'Buster Scruggs'.
Firstly, this album is bonkers. But there’s a lot of interesting stuff here. Enjoyed ‘16 Shells’, ‘Soldiers Things’, ‘Gin Soaked Boy’ (a very Seasick Steve vibe) and ‘Rainbirds’. I admire the complete ‘fuck you’ freedom with which he must have had to record and release this. Having said that, probably won’t ever listen to it again!
Not really interesting to me. Hell of a discography though.
2 5
It’s really hard to listen to. I have found out that I enjoy his very early work much more. This strange voice that he has chosen is just too hard to listen to. Only a few songs are okay for me
Tom Waits, dieses mal aber weniger überzeugend als auf Heartattack And Vine. Sehr experimentell.
I'm not sure what kind of drugs you need to be on to find this music interesting, but I'm not on them. There's flashes of...something...here, but I'm not grasping it. It's almost like a dark Disney movie narrator or villain soliloquizing his reasoning for doing whatever nefarious thing he's doing. With complete mumbo-jumbo lyrics. Whatever it is I'm too sober to understand. Maybe I'll revisit next time I go on a bender, but I'll likely forget.
I'm more of a fan of early Tom Waits tbh.
mostly disliked the gruff vocals and strange instrumentation, but a couple of times decent songs broke through
No, just no. Rarisima la voz del amigo, las canciones que no son con esa voz se salvan supongo
This was … unique .
Not my taste
A little better than some other Tom Waits albums, but his voice is still atrocious.
2 star, i like a few other waits albums far more than this one.
Although I’ve never explored Tom Waits before I’ve heard some of his songs and often enjoyed them, so I was anticipating liking this album. Unfortunately whilst there were moments I liked, and I thought the album started off well, it went so weirdly experimental that it was difficult to keep listening. There were good moments buried in amongst the dirt, showing a talented artist and lyricist is present, but one too interested in being odd for odd’s sake, rather than making an enjoyable track to listen to. Unfortunately this one is not for me.
To me, Tom Waits is somebody that a few folks embrance and then run around proclaming the high ground due to their advanced culture and taste. I've tried to like this guy in the past but he's not for me. Y'all can have mine.
It was strange. I don't think I'm a big fan of that much variety. The lead singer sounds like he has been smoking cigarettes for 100 years.
Very similar to Rain Dogs, if not slightly better. Still didn’t enjoy it, too weird and just not fun.
277/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
My introduction to Tom Waits was in college in the late 80s. I was obsessed with the song 16 Shells From A 30.6 and Toms Wild years - so eclectic. Entertaining music that endures. Great lounge music.
Interesting musically at times. The voice is jarring though. It was okay I’d say 5/10 or 2.5 stars.
Nit a fan.
Not for me
Nonsense music, but clearly done tongue in cheek. Some of it was fun and as the album progressed it got better. Will I listen again and does anyone really need to listen? Nope!
I recognized the first song off this album from somewhere and I didn't know where. Then it hit me, it was on the soundtrack for the cinematic classic Robots (2005). Man, what an awesome film that was. Weird choice to put a Tom Waits song on it. Was he involved? Didn't he voice someone? No? Wait a minute holy shit this voice cast is stacked! Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Amanda Bynes, Mel Brooks (!) Stanley Tucci, Paul Giamatti, Jennifer Coolidge, Natasha Lyonne, Jay Leno (!?) James Earl Jones (!?) Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson (!?) James Brown (!?) not to mention Robin Williams of course. I can't believe they had a character who's main characteristic was that her ass was fat. Also Can we talk about the communist messages that the film had? Holy based! Not to mention... Oh yeah the album? I was too busy thinking about how good Robots (2005) for the rest of it. Seemed weird and not my style. 3/10
I really want to like Tom Waits, I really do. I really appreciate that he exists, and I want to enjoy his music, but I don't. Maybe two songs on here were okay, but the rest was nothing I'll ever come back to.
There were a couple of songs near the end that saved this from a 1 rating.
I wonder what would happen if this guy tried to write music that's enjoyable to listen to? I bet he could do a decent job of it! Maybe get a singer who drinks water occasionally, too. It's a radical idea, I know. Still, maybe it's crazy enough that it just might work.
Not for me
I don't get Tom Waits. Some of this is interesting but I don't need to hear it again.
Well he certainly had a strong vision here. I think there have been too many Tom Waits albums already on here so I’m biased against him but this was a lot to take in. He’s a creative guy with a creative mind but I did not like the sounds here.
'Underground' went ballistic but it did go significantly downhill (or underground, one might say) from there. There's elements that I like on the entire album. The minimalistic and experimental sound is good, and Waits' voice is amazing. From a very brief search this is his most "different" album and there is a lot more of him on the tracker so I'm interested to see if I will like him. Overall, this was alright but doesn't amount to much for me. Probably a 2.5.
If booze and cigarettes made music. The one song from robots was funny to hear but I wouldnt go out of my way for it
One I don’t play very often…
I don’t trust Tom Waits fans.
Not really my thing. Couple tracks i liked.
2.5 Slower the song the better. The less a song sounds like a carnival falling down a mountainside the better.
Good music & lyrics but that voice? When it was mellowed it was great, rest of the time like running your ears down a cheese grater.
Was this meant to be the soundtrack of a musical? I didn't quite understand it. It was all around pretty goofy, but not in the best way.
Tom Waits but it doesn't sound like he waits for anything - he just very aggressively started the album with a bunch of stomping and shouting. Overall, I guess the album wasn't terrible, although there were songs that definitely were. I was very confused as to what kind of an album this is and on top of everything, two songs were unavailable on Spotify so I had to go and listen to them on Youtube - I would not recommend bothering. This could have definitely been a 1-star album but there were a couple of songs that could be deemed decent, I guess.
Ridiculous Halloween circus music
For the love of everything in this world, please stop trying to make me listen to Tom Waits This sounds like the soundtrack to a really boring musical
Tom Waits carrying on about something or other
Surprisingly listenable from the old groaner - and the third album of his on here which feels at least two too many. But I'm never going to go back to it, perhaps only the beautiful last trick on which Tom does not appear. Also he does a kind of Tom Waits version of rap skits here.
Ennél szerintem pont jobb albumai vannak. :D
I just don't get Tom Waits. Who is his music for? Why does he have multiple albums on this list? Does anyone actually think this is good? Rainbirds is the only reason this doesn't get a 1.
Listening to Tom Waits is tedious. Musically I actually like a lot of it, but I can’t take his voice.
This is sad mime music
I liked the music here quite a bit. However, Tom Waits’ voice is just so grating that I ended up not really caring for this. 16 shells is a pretty good song however
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
eh, some interesting sounds, but not my favorite.
Fuck you frank. I almost enjoyed this album? In the neighborhood is a weird sort of March lol.
I mean there’s some good blues scattered about. The voice is a little off putting
Again, I can understand the significance of this album but it’s just not for me.
I don’t hate it but it’s close!
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
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.
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⭐️
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.
Not sure about this........................ I see what its so polarizing - its weird and maybe smart but also kind of unlistenable.
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
Weird album - feels like something Tarantino would write
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.
Tom Waits becomes Tom Waits
I appreciated Town With No Cheer for the references to my home country, but aside from that, this isn’t for me at all.
#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.
please be the last Tom Waits
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
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 :/
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.
Meh bissi weird
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)
Drunk uncle ass music
This was a weird album. Not really a fan of his voice, but some of the music was interesting. 2/5
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.
2.5 funny spooky Halloween vibes but probably wouldn’t listen to again
"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.
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
Puh - makes me nervous. No relaxing or positive music. not mine
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.
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
Another hurdy-gurdy Tim Burton-esque musical soundtrack. Entertaining for one listen.
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
It gave me the heebie jeebies at times. Didn't care for this.
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)
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).
More my thing than Dylan, but not my thing.
2.5 wasn’t really feeling this one
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.
Yeah, not for me dog. The acclamation of genius to an old pisshead growling over piano pisses me off more than the music itself
This guy has an awesome voice but the music is a miss for me
Gravaled drunked rambling. Its good affect but he needs some other trick
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.
its okay, sounds like a prototype for hadestown
• 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
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 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.
Not my favorite…
I normally like Tom Waits. But I think the experimental instruments were too much of a distraction for me.
Intriguing, weird, probably nfm
Interesante, álbum experimental. La o las voces son interesantes pero la técnica me parece muy mala. En algunas canciones la afinación vocal es pésima.
I'm sorry. This is just dumb. Anyone pretending to enjoy this is a pretentious gimp.
Interesting music but not to my taste overall. Liked a few of the songs.
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.
not my jam. I know he is respected, but didn't resonate with me.
Second Tom Waits album of the list, much of the same sentiments. Favourite song was the vocal-less piano track at the end. 2.2/5
Good voice but can’t take the music seriously.
Demasiado tranquilo y monótono. Un tanto melancólico. Voz profunda.
Every single Tom waits song is simply wait(s)ing for the right scene in a movie or tv show of which to be a theme song. It all feels like it’s missing context when you’re just listening to the album.
I like Tom Waits in a lot of contexts. The Day After Tomorrow is a masterpiece. This isn't it for me. Too much marimba. Why does every album need a novelty track? And why did Tom Waits lead the album with his novelty song?
Just not really feeling it
Not a huge fan of the vocal style. Would put it slightly above the previous albums I rated as 2. In hindsight those were closer to 1s for me and this is more a 2.
Not the Tom Waits I was expecting.
I don’t understand the appeal of this guy. It’s too weird for me.
Un album un peu étrange, jazz/folk mais très éclectique. Difficile d'approche
Nicely mellow
I get it artistically but it's hard to listen to it!
I usually love Tom Waits. This was a bit too experimental for me.
Better than last tom waits album. Won't listen again but interesting, felt a little like a soundtrack or theatrical performance. Odd instruments and a self produced sound