Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Enjoyed.
This is for the second time in 2 weeks I'm getting Tom Waits. I had no idea what to expect from this album. I don't really like the music </3
I do not and will probably never understand the appeal of Tom Waits. This is a bunch of world-weary blues crooning from a 30-year old (at the time) who by his own account had a pretty normal childhood in suburban California. There were plenty of unheralded Black blues artists who were better singers and better musicians with authentic stories to tell, but he's the guy who got all the movie soundtracks and critical fellatio because his voice sounded like he gargled cigarettes. To me, this Emperor has no clothes, but there are four more albums on this list to go through and change my mind.
Tom Waits really should've hired a better singer to deliver his songs. It's like if the son of Randy Newman and Louis Armstrong had a particularly bad throat infection. The production is solid and pretty different from most well-known musicians from the same period, so nobody can accuse Waits of following cutting-edge trends, falling into the synth-trap or production gutter that captured so many others' hearts at the time. No – this is really solid. Really clean, stripped back, groovy sound, almost on par with something like Gaucho (Steely Dan). The record excels the most when it's entirely instrumental. In Shades is a great track, excluding the little end-fakeout with the fake applause near the end. Downtown also partially gets away with the bad vocals by being catchy as heck. The worst tracks here are ones that lack any groove. Songs like On The Nickel, Saving All My Love For You, and Jersey Girl are just not particularly enjoyable because there isn't anything to nod along to. And with a better vocalist, that would be a passable – even great – thing. Here, it isn't. It's impossible to take On The Nickel seriously, with its soft, beautiful string section, delicate piano... and grotesque, sickly "singing". Also, the words can often be difficult to make out. As another reviewer wrote, "it has a certain kitsch but geeze. I found myself struggling to understand what the hell he was saying." Good vocals are void without comprehension. 3/5 Key tracks: In Shades, Downtown
ha... Tom zoals we hem kennen (en willen)... een soort van dronken Captain Beefheart die rondjes draait op een kermis waar allemaal trieste figuren rondlopen... topplaat
Not my style. Pained
Superb album, one of his best
I started listening to Tom Waits last year. He's a singer, songwriter, composer, and actor known for his deep, gravelly voice and lyrics that focus on the seedy underbelly of society. He started his career as a folk singer in the vein of Bob Dylan, while also taking influence from spoken word and beat poetry. However, Heartattack and Vine proved to be a stylistic shift, taking a direction that's more in line with Delta blues. The fuzzy guitar, the sharp percussive beat, and Ronnie Barron's playing on the Hammond organ are all featured elements on half of this record that give a more aggressive edge to Tom's compositions. The title track, the instrumental "In Shades", "Downtown", and "Mr. Siegal" all sonically cut deep in the standard blues format, as Tom viscerally delivers these delightfully grotesque sceneries. Meanwhile, the rest of the tracks offer more orchestrally arranged ballads like on "Saving All My Love For You", "Jersey Girl", and the closer "Ruby's Arms", where the anguish and raw passion come through in Tom's vocals as he sang about his relationships with women who weren't the most upstanding, without ever talking down about them. There's an earnest acknowledgement of people's flaws, including his own, that shines well in his lyrics. Still, I have to acknowledge that this is a transitional record. I essentially described two different-sounding halves to this album. While the track list arrangement does its best to mask that fact, I can't deny that Tom could have gone wholeheartedly in one direction or the other, with a slight personal preference for the more aggressive Delta blues styling. Even Tom himself acknowledged that this record was a turning point that would help inform his later musical experimentation, and I have to agree with him. I still liked Heartattack and Vine at the end of the day, and accept that this is an important record in Tom Waits's career. If anything, it made me look forward to what was next.
GRITTY and RASPY blues. Savin all my love for you has a Christmas feel cause of the bells but is more of a sad love song. The lyrics are sung emotional and very rough, singing style is nothing I’ve heard I’ve heard before. Haven’t heard of Tom waits before getting this album and not sure how I feel. Musically, good, singing maybe not for me. Kinda all over the place with ballads and then blues.
Tom Waits for this dogshit album to end. This is definitely better than that dogshit diner album but fuck me this cunts voice is jarring.
Tom Waits both looks and sounds like an alcoholic homeless man. I would put money down that he probably smells like one too. This album is the same gravelly voice and bluesy tone with a bit more of a conventional and melodic composition than the 2(?) Tom Waits albums I’ve listened to. Unfortunately, that’s not a good thing. Where I’ve enjoyed music from this fellas it’s been because it’s odd or experimental. Nothing to write home about here.
Yeah I don't give a shit if the lyrics are good, this fucking sucks. Jersey Girl is a good song, great even. This is in spite of its performance here on this album. Downtown and On the Nickel are also good but fuck me man this was really hard to get through. My notes for this album include various iterations on "fuck this" and comments about Tom Waits' voice. I will probably listen to Jersey Girl again but if I find that the Springsteen performance of it is even 1% better I will never touch any song from this album again. Highlights: Jersey Girl
2.5/5
Not the Worst of Tom Waits but I can't stand his voice and his songs. Jersey Girl was nice but I prefer Springsteen's Why in the world there are 5 albums of Tom Waits in the 1001 list !! 1.5
Quite easy to listen to compared with a few of the others. That made it less interesting though. Might grow if I find some subtleties in there
I really expected to hate this, actually it’s not bad
I like Tom Waits but none of my favourite albums seem to have made it into this list… 3.5
Tom Waits is really good at expressing visual imagery through the sound of his music. The whole time you’re listening to this album, you can picture yourself in some smoke filled basement bar or speakeasy with low ceilings, experiencing an intimate night with Tom Waits himself. And of course, you can’t forget that signature gravelly voice, which pulls the whole scene together.
Gruffiest record in here.
Not terrible. Not great
Decent. Not my fave Tom Waits album though.
dylan and cohen could not have prepared me for this mans voice.
I dont thinks it's as captivating as the Swordfish album. Still Tom Waits, just less umph for me. 2.5/5
A singer/songwriter stretches his wings to give a hint of the path he would take in his experimental 1980s.
"Tolerable" and "Tom Waits" are not normally things I'd utter in the same breath, but I think that's pretty accurate after listening here. Like him or not, you have to admit that Waits has a voice for the blues. Can't deny the songwriting talent too, almost as if the local drunkard is sharing some unexpected wisdom with you, right before he vomits and passes out for the evening. The arrangements throughout the album do Mr. Waits a bit of justice too, allowing him to ramble on with some sort of structure. This felt more polished than Nighthawks at the Diner (the only previous Tom Waits album I've listened to thus far) to me as a result.
Yeah, I hate his voice. It's not even just the sound of it, his phrasing is awful. I just can't.
This album didn’t suck as much as I thought it would.
My only real experience with Tom Waits is having heard the album 'Rain Dogs' which I think is fantastic, and my only point of comparison. What I really like about 'Rain Dogs' and that this album lacks is how macabre it feels. It is full of incredibly strange melodies the contributes a lot on the building of Tom Waits 'bad guy' character. In the case of 'Heartattack and Vine' the music relies in a way more standard blues sound, which is not a bad thing because it is really well done, but I think it doesn't make it as unique as Tom Waits music can get. However, the singing is as good as in 'Rain Dogs'. I found his gurgling and deep voice to be very pleasant to listen to. The lyrics are also very strong. This man really has a great ability to describe bizarre scenes. In summary, this is a great record, but not his strongest material, as it lacks a bit personality in the instrumentation end.
Saddest thing I've heard since "Mom found the yaoi"
The drunk guy that sticks around you and your friends after you got kicked out of the last bar together who suddenly gets a stroke of inspiration-core
eu odeio o tom waits, reforço novamente (meu celular estragou e enquanto eu n tenho outro esqueci de ligar o pc e avaliar ebaaaa)
melhor que o último dele que apareceu aqui, mas ainda nao me convenceu não. essa voz forçadinha funciona as vezes, o foda eh que na maior parte eh só chato memo...
I’d rather listen to Louis Armstrong i think.
Good
A lot of ballads. Not my favorite.
The production is really good. It's just that putrid, soggy, and unsatisfying voice that really turns my smile into bile. Last time I listened to this guy's album the listening experience was damn near equally mid as well. Tom Waits blows Tom Waits because Tom Waits is Tom Waits. Self centered prick. 2/5
Not a Tom Waits album I’m familiar with, but I do like Tom in general. Tom Waits is Tom Waits-ing all over this album. Love. 4/5
i dont think i care about singer songwriters
This blues-inflected album staggers through dimly lit streets, its gritty instrumentation and ravaged vocals conjuring a world of cigarette-stained windows and worn-down souls. It’s vivid and visceral, though its rawness can feel abrasive. Like drinking whiskey poured from a chipped glass behind a flickering neon sign, it’s hauntingly authentic but far from comforting.
Dude needs to clear his throat
I can really only listen to this during the christmas holidays
Actually Closing Time 1973
Only a few songs I liked.was to raspy for me lyrics weren't lyricaling
Pretty good, but he does have better
The voice…… I could not get over the voice. Musically, the album was great! But I found Tom’s voice to be incredibly distracting. Getting pockets of what his singing voice sounded like confused me even more, because why is he using his raspy, gurgle voice instead of his singing voice? I’m not sure. I wish I liked this more.
This Stuff'll Probably Kill You, Let's Do Another Line 1001 Albums Generator 165 (11/19/2025) Heartattack And Vine is Tom Waits' seventh studio album and was the last album he released before his trio of experimental and highly acclaimed albums in the 80's, starting with Swordfishtrombones (get the man a spacebar please). The opening title track is extremely gritty, drunken blues, and it is very representative of Heartattack And Vine as an album. The instrumental is interesting at times, the lyrics are pretty good, and Tom Waits' voice really annoys me. This is why In Shades is the best song here; it's a great instrumental jam. Downtown is a fun, almost jazzy tune with a great organ part and Waits' voice kind of works here. I had no idea Jersey Girl was by Tom Waits, but I really like this version, even though the strings border on saccharine at times. On The Nickel (which has some cool modulations) and 'Til The Money Runs Out are also painfully cheesy. Saving All My Love For You is also way too soft, and Tom doesn't alter his singing style at all on these softer songs and it's just really weird honestly. It's too bad this is my introduction to this legend who I have been meaning to listen to for a long time, since this is one of his lowest rated albums on RateYourMusic, but I won't let my negative view on this album dissuade me from listening to Waits' other work. Some good-to-great songs are weighed down by boring pieces and Waits' strange voice. 2.5/5, rounded down to a 2. Favs: In Shades Downtown Jersey Girl Least Fav: Saving All My Love For You
Ko je ubijedio ovog hajvana da treba pjevati? Mislim da i on zna da ne zna pjevati ali zašto, zaštooo se odlučio da to ipak radi? Ovo mi je trun podnošljivije nego prošli album od njega što je došao jer ima više pjesama/trenutaka gdje ne pjeva nego je samo ok pozadinska muzika.
Sounds like a bad Bruce Springsteen with a cold. This was painful.
Disappointed
If this had been sung by almost anyone else (not you Bob Dylan) like Mark Lanegan, Eddie Veder, Chris Cornell, it would've kept the gravitas and heaviness without making my ears bleed. I could not take him seriously with his ridiculous voice. It's so, so bad. The storytelling is great, really, really well done but my goodness, just painful to get through. Also he looks like a total creep on the album cover.
yikes. I do NOT understand his appeal. couldn't pay attention at all to lyrics due to his voice. music bit boring.
Standard Tom here. I was having a decent time but the back half really picked it up. Jersey Girl, On the Nickel, Mr. Siegal, and Ruby’s Arms were all really good and more accessible than I usually find him.
Atmospheric and ethereal. Feels like the vocals are floating on top of the music. A more accessible version of Radiohead.
The man certainly has a distinct voice. One that I do think is best served by bluesier music underneath it. The blusiest tracks were my favorites on here for that reason, but "Jersey Girl" was wonderful to hear as well. I'll take Bruce's voice though.
I'm trying to understand Tom Waits with some limited success. Is he a singer songwriter? Maybe he's a songwriter singer. I don't mind gravel or dissonance, and it's clear that Waits is an incredible and prolific songwriter. The arrangements on this record are beautiful and funky in an accessible way. I could easily see my mother grooving to the music. I can only speak to Heartattack and Vine, but I'm getting the sense that the juxtaposition of the pretty music and Waits's gravely, loud, passionate singing reminds us that life is messy, emotions are messy. The problem for me is that I can't sink into Waits's music like I can with my favorite singers. His voice, even in this relatively early recording is too abrasive for me to relax. It's entirely possible that this is the point, that Waits doesn't want us to relax. He might want his listeners to stay alert. But the OAD is a celebration of the album format, and this level of alert for an extended period is a bit much for me. I enjoyed my time with this record, and I'm happy to come back to it. There is some fantastic music and stunning lyrics here, but Waits's voice continues to be a barrier for me. Four stars.
Some good stuff but I think what came after this is better.
I'm just really not a fan of Tom Waits' voice, the music itself can be quite good, I just wish someone else was singing it.
The album people who don’t like or don’t know Tom Waits should listen to, it might be the only album they like by him It’s a mix of accessibility and eccentricity that is also essential listening
Good music. Enjoyable and mellow.
it lays as i sleep
Mitiquérrimo este señor, mezcla entre el actor de Hellboy y Denis Lavant. Aun así, nunca había escuchado nada suyo. La verdad es que lleva un ritmo que se arrastra por el suelo, como cuando intentas mover un mueble muy pesado. La voz claramente ayuda, debe haber tenido problemas de garganta a montones el amigo Tomás. Que le baje también un poquito el minutado a las canciones, que no veas si draggean algunas. Las lentas son infumable y parecen parodia, 2.5 pero le bajo a 2 que ya he puesto mucho 3 Las que le gustan a un señor promedio de 50 años y por lo tanto a mi también: Downtown, Till The Money Runs Out
Bluesy, and a great voice. Really liked Mr Siegel
I haven't heard a lot of Tom Waits albums, but I feel like this one was caught in the middle of his transition from traditional piano ballads to a more experimental sound. While some of the bluesier tracks in my opinion work nicely, the rest is not for me. 4/10
There was a unique sound and I enjoyed quite a few tracks and the vibe
Love this one. Tom Waits can take some adjusting to for the uninitiated, but once you've tuned your ear to the growl and poetry it's like a drug.
I quit drinking but Tom Waits voice made me want to start again. Would need a few bottles to drown out the gravel assault to my ears. The lyrics, back up instruments were worth a 5.
Frog mud farts
One of my fav of all time.
A brilliant album!
Not my favourite or the most celebrated Waits album, but certainly a bit of an underrated/transitional one. The uptempo numbers and the right amount of dirty and sleazy. I think it's the ballads I think that let this one down slightly.
Heartattack and Vine 4.5 In Shades (Instrumental) 4 Saving All My Love for You 3.4 Downtown 4.3 Jersey Girl 4 Til the Money Runs Out 4.5 On the Nickel 3.5 Mr. Siegal 4.2 Ruby's Arms 4 Score: 4.044444444
-not the strongest work i’ve heard from Tom Waits by a long shot- some parts were actively boring. that being said i thought it was really consistent and had some great vocals, so certainly not all bad -i find him to be a really interesting artist, i’ve enjoyed getting to listen to so many of his albums this past year -Favorites: Heartattack and Vine, Mr. Siegal
4/5
I love singers with bad voices with good lyrics
Can't stand the throaty voice of Waits. Definetly unique album, but not for me.
Jersey Girl rules. Downtown is my new train song. We had sex while this was on. 5 stars all the way.
I really like the orchestral music combined with Tom Waits' voice on this album. Yes to soaring feelings music and dirty whiskey voice! Excuse me while I go weep in a dive bar.
I've bin a fan of Tom Waits for a long time bat although knowing more than 10 album very well, I still hadn't listened to this one. But again … just as good as the others. Wonderful.
Drunk voicing, not so amusing. Great production and overall concept tho
Var simpelthen nødt til at stoppe med at lytte til det halvvejs igennem. Prøvede at være åben, men kan slet ikke. Det lyder som en der har røget i flere årtier og lyder meget som noget stereotypisk "badboy" musik fra 80'erne. 3/10
Great!
“Oh, ‘Saving All My Love For You’! I only know the Whitney Houston Version” <several minutes later> “Well, that was quite different! Ah, ‘Down Town’! Now, I really like Petula Clark’s take on this - how will this go I wonder?” <several more minutes pass> “Pass me the cheap women and the expensive whiskey, this is going to be a night to remember but I don’t think I will!” Incredible album - lost nights in the gutter gazing at the stars out of 10.
Had never heard this Waits album before, and I thought it was really great! Sometimes he sounds like Mr. Krabs in This Grill is Not a Home
honestly ive barely listened to this bloke before this list and he kicks a whole buncha ass
A great voice and the album is great. Really like the felling of a story being a song
Hate his voice. Yuck.
Tom Waits sounds like warm gin tastes. Most of the time, I'm not in the mood for warm gin. But, when I am, absolutely nothing else will satisfy me.
Don’t like
Not my thing. I can understand why Tom Waits is considered a unique musician, but I think he's just alright. I wonder if most people like Tom Waits, because cool people like Tom Waits. I don't know. This was ok.
Bit of an acquired taste, its okay.
Jersey Girl and Mr. Siegal were good, though I will say I think Bruce Springsteen did Jersey Girl better. Better overall than the other Tom Waits album that was on this list, but still not great. 2/5
Ok ish
Others will say that it’s soulful, deep and dark. I just thought it was shit. At times I felt like I was listening to a parody.
It’s okay - I’m not the biggest Tom Waits fan.. The Music and atmosphere is great on here but I struggle listening to his voice, however it’s not too bad on this record
469/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
I have no experience with Tom Waits. Straight out of the gate, he sounds like the guy that stands up for karaoke after he's had a few too many beers and cigarettes. "In Shades" makes me immediately question the drunkenness, of course (even with the obvious sounds of a bar in the background of the track). The guitar is legit, as is some of the other instrumentation. His voice is incredibly grating, though.
This sounds like bad Karaoke.
Excellent if you love listening to gravel
Bloody Brilliant
I fell asleep listening to this album, woke up in a trailer with three missing teeth and a case of cirrhosis. Great album.
Tom Waits's "Heartattack and Vine" is a four-star album that showcases his versatility. Defying easy categorization, the record is a mix of Blues, Jazz, and Rock that serves as a crucial bridge to his later, more experimental work. Its brilliance lies in the stark contrast between its elements: the rough-and-ready, gravelly vocals and abrasive guitar are balanced by moments of startling, beautifully arranged tenderness (e.g. "Ruby's Arms"). The crisp production binds this unique collection of mostly excellent songs together, allowing the murky subject matter to shine. I think I will buy this album! Side one 1 "Heartattack and Vine" (5/5) 2 "In Shades" (Instrumental) (3/5) 3 "Saving All My Love for You" (4/5) 4 "Downtown" (3/5) 5 "Jersey Girl" (5/5) Side two 1 "'Til the Money Runs Out" (5/5) 2 "On the Nickel" (5/5) 3 "Mr. Siegal" (5/5) 4 "Ruby's Arms" (5/5) Total - 40 Average - 4.44 135/1001 69/135 albums reviewed were new to me.
I hadn't listened to this one before, only Closing Time, Swordfish, and Rain Dogs. This isn't quite on the level of the latter 2 but I really enjoyed it all the same. He really pushes the limits of his voice. Can see how some people (most people?) would absolutely hate this.
NO MORE TOM WAITS PLEASE. The dude does not need 800 albums on this list.
I struggle with a lot of Tom Waits, but this is a high point
Nope. Couldn't listen. The pain in his voice pains my ears and head.
Pretty mid. Cool voice tho.
All time artist. Love this album, not my top shelf of the Waits collection but still incredibly enjoyable. This album is just before he reached unseen heights. An incredibly unique artist and a true treasure, a must listen. SPUN
Listened Before? N Wow, this list creator REALLY LOVES Tom Waits. TW is fine sometimes, but this is overkill. He kind of reminds me of Frank Zappa in that it's either you absolutely love him or you hate him. This album drones on and on and on. Not a fan. Added To Library? N Songs added to playlist: Heartattack and Vine
Is this a joke?
Just the most annoying crooning over meh instrumental you've ever heard. The dude sounds like he smokes 12 packs a day. I don't mind "bad" vocalists but don't shove in my face how bad it is. 2/10
More Tom Waits. Hopefully the end of Tom Waits on this list. 1.5/5
Teatraalne. Väga mõnus
A classic album.Great songwriting as usual
He’s cool and all but it was a bit boring
If Tom Waits sang with 50% less gravel in his diet this would be 5 stars.
Enjoyable and solid blues tunes, with the title track, Jersey Girl and Ruby's Arms standing out. Not as groundbreaking as some of the other Tom Waits albums, so gets a 3.
Sing it Tom, is there better Tom waits albums? Absolutely, but this still gets a 5.
I bloody loved that. Listened to it twice. Beautiful songs, captivating voice. Jersey girl and Ruby’s Arms are ones that stuck with my but there are no skips. I’d stopped at the Wire theme tune previously - what a treat. I’ll be buying this album.
The rare accessible Tom Waits. I can get behind this
His voice sounds alright sometimes and his lyrics are very clever, but it’s not quite for me
Tom waits quality, will need a re-listen. Less immediate than other of his albums.
Really don't get this guy, why do we need so many of his albums on the list. This one was in many ways the most listenable, which also kinda makes it the least interesting and least 1001-y. 2.7/5
still not sure I'm gonna be listening to TW for fun, but if I decide to try again, I'll come back here.
Man's got a voice that could cut an onion. I could practically taste every single syllable he was spitting out... visceral stuff.
He’s not my sound
🤷♀️ so many cigs
Like I know some people like it but Jesus Christ when a vocal is so gravelly and gutteral that throughout the whole album all I can think about is my throat and how weird it feels then I can’t really get into the album, instrumentals were decent though so it can at least get 2 stars
Not bad, i liked a few songs, but i dont know how long they will stay in my playlist, the only memorable thing is vocal, my favourite song - jersey girl. 3/5
Tom Waits has always seemed like a gimmick to me. Purposefully grating and dirty. It's fine but the music here doesn't do him any favours. It's a dull and plodding album and in order for the conceit to work, the music has just got to be better than this.
basta
non sono riuscita ad andare avanti con l’ascolto e questo è un fatto
Allora se lui non avesse avuto sta voce da fumatore accanito sarebbe stato meglio perché alcune basi sono belle. Unica che si salva è downtown
ma quello sulla copertina è Austin Butler nelle vesti di Elvis Presley? Comunque non lo so, non so che pensare, su alcuni pezzi la voce mi ricorda un po' Louis Armstrong. Ho scoperto che Tom Waits ha fatto un film con Benigni, "Daunbailò" (1986), vi faccio sapere com'è
Not bad, but I really do not enjoy his voice on many songs.
There is altogether too much Tom Waits on this list. The man may be considered a poet by some, but he sings like a muppet that is on a three day bender. That ruins everything else for me. 1⭐️
I hope there's a really good spit filter on the mic. And now I'll say good bye to ever listening to this again. The music wasn't terrible (which is why the best song is the instrumental), but man, his voice just really sucks. And it ruins any kind of interest I have in the album. Favorite Song(s): In Shades
75
Some nice B3 playing.
Tom Waite’s vocals are usually a test of my patience. Especially because I know he can sing better (reference his debut album, Closing Time). But with these songs in particular, conventional vocals would not carry as much power. I’ve come away with a better understanding of why he does what he does. At least, it works on this album and I caught myself listening to it three times today.
Waits’ vocals did not detract from this blues album, even giving some tender moments. Great blues.
I didn't hate it. I wasn't super excited when it was over. If Tom could just tune the gravelly angle-bargle down about 40%, I might be able to listen hard enough to decipher some more of the lyrics. He's got some good ones, which I'm able to make out from time to time.
It was okay I don't really know if I like his voice or not
I love this. It is now one of my favorite albums. And what a surprise: I didn’t know Jersey Girl was originally by Tom Waits! What a great song.
I thought I'd really enjoy this, but turns out it's just whining to music. Piss off Tom
Creepy and weird
No
Least favourite of the Waits albums i’ve listened to. I’d rather just read the lyrics.
Weird thing this album
3.5
3.0
My god. That gravel. Yum yum yum. Waiter? A bit more gravel please. Mmm. So crunchy.
Having listened to swordfishtrombones and nighthawks at the diner I thought his drunken way of singing was a bit much for story times. And it turns out it lends itself much better to the blues based songs on this record. The ballads are the weak part, compared to those.
I've always liked the Idea of Tom Waits--I just don't think I'm cool enough to listen to him without feeling like a fraud.
nah
Heartattack and Vine trades smoky cabaret moods for a grittier blues-rock edge. The record opens strong with its jagged title track and finds warmth in the unexpected sweetness of “Jersey Girl,” but the album doesn’t maintain that spark throughout—some cuts feel more like sketches than fully realized songs. Rough-edged and atmospheric, it’s intriguing but uneven.
Tom Waits really feels like one of those artists I should love and just... don't.
++: Heartattack and Vine, In Shades, Downtown, 'Til the Money Runs Out, Mr. Siegal +: Ruby's Arms +-: Saving All My Love for You, Jersey Girl -: On the Nickel 7,2/10
I liked it sometimes.
Listened a few times. I hated the vocals at first but near the end of the album I thought they were great. Good
Listenable.
This made me rethink my opinion of tom waits. I was never a fan. Now I find myself listening to this more thin once. The deep rough vocals and slow songs were great
Muy buen álbum de Tom Waits. El último tema es hermoso, y toda la obra tiene un carácter nostálgico y cinemático. Creo que Waits siempre se pone al hombro crear narrativas que transportan en la escucha. El álbum está excelentemente producido y grabado. En general la voz de Tom Waits me encanta y me parece fascinante, pero en algunos momentos del álbum no me gusta, más que nada porque a veces parece hacer gárgaras con su propia saliva al cantar, lo que me resulta desagradable. Son solo algunos temas, pero es suficiente para cosiderar que no revisitaría estos momentos. La duración de la obra es muy adecuada y la variedad de atmósferas hace que sea una escucha dinámica y disfrutable.
A grittier Bruce Springsteen. Or Bruce Springsteen is a smoother Tom Waits. I don't know which is right.
Marginally better music. Still a 1.
This album was not familiar to me, but it’s great. Especially, the songs backed by strings are so beautiful.
Good for a couple of songs but his voice is not really my thing. A whole album of it is a bit much.
There’s a lot of talent here, great musicianship and great storytelling lyrics, but I just cannot with his voice. Gravelly growl blues is not for me.
I can sort of get the appeal, quite a lot of very early blues singers from the 30s-50s had harsh voices like this, but I think the modern production pop'ed it out a little bit too much. He sounds/feels quite Nick Cave like in some places, not only the harsh vocal style but also the quite dark themes sung with a very normal backing and also writing and telling a story from (seemingly) someone else's perspective. Lyrically I think is probably my favourite part as I did notice some interesting unique metaphors and lyrics. Favourite songs: saving all my love for you, on the nickel. Overall around 5/10
Going to try again, only got halfway through first song before the voice beat me! But in the spirit of the list must try again
He’s not my favorite – kind of a weird voice – but not bad.
This is the second Tom Waits album on the list so far for me, and it's already two too many. I saw on one of the public reviews of the last one that the list has 5 (!) in total, which is absolutely baffling to me given he can't sing, doesn't write interesting lyrics, has a horribly grating voice, and so on. I honestly am not even sure how this guy managed to produce 5 albums - who's buying them?
80s folk rock. Insane gravely voice. Dive bar blues sung by heartbroken drunk.
I appreciate Tom Waits’ crazy voice and singular style, but I found myself getting tired of this before it was over. Best song: Jersey Girl
in the most deeply complimentary way; portions of this sound like the background music to an old point and click video game where you're playing a gumshoe and slowly cracking a case in the middle of a long summer in your city. (in shades in particular) i actually really enjoyed this album and would come back to it but i suffer from can't handle listening to slow music disease.
I honestly don't know that I'm gonna make it through this record. I listened to the first song and there's some goodness there but, maybe it's because I watched RFK jr. on tv this morning, the voice is annoying me more than I'm enjoying it. Yeah... I didn't make it. Maybe another time. lol
I liked some of it, the parts that had a really nice blues feel. There were definitely a few weaker tracks though. This is the 3rd or 4th of his albums that I've heard via this site, and I have been pleasantly surprised how much I've enjoyed them on the whole.
not my favourite Tom Waits, but there is still some great stuff
Why is it that I am unable to get special albums to celebrate 100-album milestones? Nothing I've gotten as a 100-album milestone has been above a 4/5, my 500th album didn't even have a Wikipedia article, and now my 700th album is from an artist that I've already gotten 4 times in the past! I don't get it! You know what I do get though? Tom Waits. I didn't understand the appeal the first time, but over the course of the other 4 albums he has on the list, I've become somewhat of a fan. Not a huge fan, but a fan. However, I don't really think he needs 5 albums on the list, and Heartattack and Vine might just be the most cuttable of the 5. It's either that or Nighthawks at the Diner, though I do like Heartattack and Vine quite a bit more. It's not bad at all, but compared to something like Rain Dogs or Bone Machine, it's nothing special. It's a good Tom Waits album and that's about it. Of course, if you're like me and you like Tom Waits, then that's not a bad thing. The things that make him stand out as an artist are still here. His voice is as... unique as ever. His songwriting is still strong. I will say that this album is a bit of a transitional album between the earlier jazz-focused days of the 70s and the more experimental albums that he makes starting in the 80s. This is definitely still the guy who will go on to make Rain Dogs, but he's not quite at that point yet. I also feel that none of these songs get quite as good as the best songs on the later albums. "Jersey Girl" gets pretty close, but there's nothing on the level of "Goin' Out West" or "Jockey Full of Bourbon," so that kind of brings the album down a bit at large. Still, there's nothing particularly wrong with Heartattack and Vine, but it's not Tom Waits at his peak. High 3/5.
That rock and roll snarl throughout the entire album is just too much. It also sounds like he is trying hard to achieve the voice, which is just distracting me from enjoying the other parts. The last couple songs were the most brutal to get through, after having gotten completely sick of the voice long before.
Heartattack and Vine just kind of rambles along in a way that never really clicked for me, more noise and grit than actual songs I could latch onto.
Not my scene
Dad- 8 Mom- 9.5 Mike- NA Lori- 7.5 Michael- 9.5 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 8.63
estuvo bueno pero no lo escucharía denuevo
A pleasure. Jersey Girl On the Nickel Ruby's Arms
Maybe I am being generous here, but compared to the other Tom Waits albums I have had to sit through, this one was actually okay. It is still rough around the edges, but it feels a little more grounded than some of his more out-there stuff. The title track is a gritty opener that sets the mood right away, and there are moments where Waits’s gravelly delivery works with the material instead of overwhelming it. A few songs stumble into rambling territory, but at least there is some consistency in tone that makes the album easier to follow. Overall, it is not something I would play often, but it was a decent listen. For a Tom Waits record, that is saying something.
Interessante zang stem heeft Tom daar zeg. Op het eerste nummer althans, het tweede nummer is een lekker instrumentaal blues nummer wat ik een stuk beter trek. Zo'n lekkere jankende gitaar en piano. Dat is precies wat ik me voorstel bij Blues eerlijk gezegd. Ik weet het niet zo goed met de Tommert. Het voelt allemaal een klein beetje alsof ik in de zeik word genomen? Met het zwaar overdreven zingen enzo. Dit klinkt bij tijden alsof je oom net ff een paar drankjes te veel op heeft en besluit dat hij Elvis is ofzoiets. Hij spuugt sommige woorden gewoon echt uit, het draagt wel echt bij aan de sfeer op het hele album. Haha ik weet niet, vond het eerst echt helemaal niets maar hoe langer het album duurt hoe vetter ik het ook vind? Dit is gewoon echt blues, denk ik althans. Maar er zitten ook best wel wat Jazz invloeden bij en die waardeer ik echt hard. Maar ballads? Zoals Ruby's Arms? Dat moet ie gewoon echt niet doen. Pfoe, dan word weer duidelijk waarom ik zn zang soms echt slecht trek. Alles bij elkaar? Het was een vermakelijk album, maar niet heel veel meer dan dat. Jersey Girl is echt een mooi en vet nummer, en instrumentaal is het echt wel gaaf, maar Tom die als een dronken oom overal doorheen jankt? Het is een acquired taste laten we maar zeggen. FAVO: In Shades, Jersey Girl, Mr Seigal
I sincerely wish I could get past his voice, because everything beside that is pretty great. His voice even works in a couple of the slower bluesy songs, but then it absolutely doesn’t work in the ballady songs.
That is one haunting set of pipes Waits has.
Kind of like a house. Good bones. I would repaint some of the rooms personally.
"I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things"...Tom Waits I got really into On The Nickel yesterday. That's a real beauty.
Rock, 1980 -> 3
As a wise man once said, "Everyone needs more Tom Waits in their life."
Tom Waits delivers in that way only he can.
After several less than sparkling albums on this list (Swordfishtrombones, Nighthawks at the Diner) here's the one for us Waits civilians, in which his whiskey-and-gravel voice is put at the service of a set of quite brilliant self-penned tunes. No wonder that slightly less gravelly voiced Rod The Mod came calling.
Álbum muito interessante. Boas músicas e vocal marcante. QoA Vesper.
Favorite Track: Heartattack And Vine
Everytime I give these a go thinking this might be the one where I get his voice and everytime I still don’t.
This is one of the worst albums i've heard so far - but not a one because those are reserved for the WORST things in existence. Terrible voice, most songs are boring but there was some nice moments in here overall, esp with the songs with strings in it.
Honestly I like this era of Tom Waits, like the slow blues jazz influences with this. His voice suits this style really well and makes it set the scene well.
Respect for whatever weird bit he's going for
Prime early Tom Waits. Great voice and covers a wide range of genres.
It was interesting and unexpected. I wasn't familiar with Tom Waits, but I think I've heard parodies of him.
Bluesy tracks accompanied by a very unique gritty growling voice. I can see how his voice might grate on some, but I found it rather fitting and enjoyable for the style it's accompanying. It was also a pleasant surprise to discover this was actual the origin of the song Jersey Girl.
I love Tom Waits, but I honestly think this is one of his weaker albums. The lyrics are great as always, but the music is just less interesting than his other efforts.
Lots of Tom Waits representation on this 1001 list. I think this is the 3rd album of his on this list. While its excellent, I'm sure there is still atleast 1 or 2 more on this list since they are even more acclaimed.
Tbh not feeling this album but I do like his more chill piano style music more
Try as I might, I’m just not as into Tom Waits as I feel like I should be.
It’s a vibe, but not a good one
Not my favorite Tom Waits but still has enough hints of the funky weirdness and beautiful ballads to lock in the 4
I just don't get him....or at least how he has so many albums. Wish he would just clear his throat and calm down a bit.
Never listened to before, but enjoyed his distinctive melancholy style
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Either I'm warming up to his style or this one actually wasn't as bad as his others...
Not my favourite Tom Waits era, but a turning point into the weird late work, as I understand it, so I still respect it a lot.
Ok bakgrunnsstøy
I have to say, I just don’t get Tom Waits. I read some other reviews praising his lyrics, but it just too much work listening to his voice and also trying to understand him, to actually get them. I really hope I don’t have to listen to him anymore, but I suppose he will turn up on this list again. I think this was my third one…ugh. I would like to hear some of these songs covered by someone that can sing, particularly “On the Nickel” and “Ruby’s Arms”…beautiful melodies here. I might really like that album of covers. But alas, it is Tom Waits’ voice we must suffer…two stars.
Great album
I like his baritone in spurts, but it gets a little tiresome after a while.
Waits is an acquired taste, like really peaty Scotch whiskey and I have fully appropriated it - this isn't his best, but it's damn good. As always, the writing is great and there's some fine instrumentation. "There is no devil, that's just God when he's drunk." That line alone is worth a four.
Another difficult album to rate as his voice is harsh. It works on some, others not as much. Ballads seem to work better oddly(?).
4.5 08.03.2025
Not my thing at all.
Wow. There's this whole other universe existing that I had no clue of. It's the Tom Waits universe.
Oh, Tom. My sweet, sweet Tom. Who gave you a career in music, my friend? Who listened to you push out a constipated duke in the stall next to them and thought, "hey, maybe that noise would lend itself to music?" Lowkey, he is sexy as fuck on that album cover. And lowkey, his voice makes me want to blow my brains across the car Pulp Fiction style. Sweet Tom. Please end my pain. Fave songs: - In Shades (no Tom singing, of course) - Downtown (kind of a vibe)
A great album.
Tom Waits is a strange cat. He has a unique voice. This album was a pleasant surprise and very good.
3/10 - I don’t like his voice at all
Still don’t really like tom waits
Had Rain Dogs come up a couple of weeks ago and it was the first Tom Waits album I'd listened to in it's entirety. I'd heard some of his songs before but never been inclined to dig any deeper but I am big enough to admit when I've made a mistake. This is another strong album, I will definitely be listening to more by Tom Waits, there's plenty to get my teeth into.
With the benefit of hindsight, this is a fascinating album. It's got all the elements that would make 'Swordfishtrombones' such a master piece. The elements, yes, but not the concept as a whole, and not the greatness. But is a very good album with hardly any weak moments - 'On the nickel' is a bit over the top for me. The highlights for me are 'Downtown' and the overlay sentimental 'Jersey Girl'. Yes, unbearably sentimental, but as such a guilty pleasure. Strong, just missing it, the pieces that would fall together so brilliantly on its successor.
Not exactly going to be original here by pointing out that Waits' vocals are just too goofy and parodic, and I say that as somehow who loves Cohen and Dylan even at their most extreme gruffy old man voice.
"Mr. Siegal" was fun, but the rest didn't resonate with me. I liked Tom in a lot of films though.
Not one of his best works but still really enjoyable, title track really works well. There's many songs that are a little boring but this album is still good.
I liked this, but not as much as Nighthawks At The Diner or Rain Dogs. Some Tom Waits records I adore and some I think are just pretty good. This is one of the latter.
I suspect Tom's gravelly voice is a required taste, damn if I haven't acquired it. Bit of jazz, a bit of blues, lots of Tom's voice after a night of drinking whiskey and smoking a pack of cigarettes. Good stuff!
I cant rly get behind this one but the grooves save it
6/10…blues / singer songwriter
Tom Waits. He's just a bluesman. That's all he's doing here. That's fine. His reputation is a carnival gruff goat raspy roar from him, and this is simply blues. Great! No complaints! And the inspiration is on his sleeve. Swaying, smoking, drinking, clinking. I can picture it all.
Yesssss finally got Tom Waits generated. This album is incredible. So many good tracks and that instrument is so COOL
For sure he has a disctinctive, unique style, but I can't stand his raspy voice and the bluesy songs just don't do anything for me.
Ein raues, urbanes Album mit Blues- und Rockeinflüssen. Mal wild, mal sanft – nicht ganz rund, aber markant. Ein Wechselbad zwischen Genuss und Sperrigkeit.
I don’t want it. Why did this man make so many albums and why are they all on here? It’s fine music if its your jib, it’s not my jib. His voice is so wet and irritated, I started instinctively clearing my throat. Why does he sound like Pete from Mickey Mouse fame? I’m serious, it’s a bunch of ballads sung by Pete, it’s uncanny how much he sounds like him. 4/10
This feels like a caricature of music
En duet med sin egen grimme stemme er imponerende! Jeg var godt underholdt med det er bare ikke en Bone Machine det her.
Tom Waits er bare mere cool end cool.
Meh. Sounded like he wanted to be The Boss but Springsteen has that in hand
One of the worst vocal performances relative to the music I think I've ever heard. Not sure what Waits was thinking with very coarse vocals being in direct contrast to the softer music. Sounded like Cookie Monster doing an impression of Bruce Springsteen
Delightfully growly
À part la voix du chanteur que je trouve originale bah je suis vraiment pas fan
Clodo sous 8.6 dans le métro
Pas fan
Really not a fan of those vocals.
Tom Waits has a rather rough and harsh voice, but it's the charm of this album. I don't remember much more about it, but the fact I've rather enjoyed it.
First tom waits i didn't give a 1. I might have gone to a 3 but the trauma of past tom waits albums prevents me from that
This one wasn't as good as some of the other Tom Waits I've heard. It's lacking something.
I haven’t really listened to Tom Waits outside of A Little Drop Of Poison which is in Shrek 2. His voice is certainly unique and musically it all sounds great, I think I just sick of his voice a while.
1,4/5
You would not think a singing zombie would make boring music but there it is
It’s like old rusted Chevy parts crashed into a blues rock band and someone recorded it
Is his throat okay? Is he in constant pain? This sounds a little too forced
This album made me feel like I was Brendan Fraiser in the movie “Monkeybone”, which is a very bad thing.
I used to sing in a voice similar to this to annoy my girlfriend. Never realized I was doing a Tom Waits impression. I didn't hate it entirely. Overall, I'm a blues fan, but for some of the songs, his voice was just too much, like someone getting plastered and doing Louis Armstrong karaoke.
I hated this. It felt like he’s got to be joking. Like it’s a parody album or something. And also, can he even talk anymore after singing like this?
There was nothing about this album I liked. I vaguely knew one song.
i really wanted to dislike this record…tom waits always sounds to be like he’s doing a bit. but this one was very emotionally charged and the arrangements were lovely. i ended up really enjoying it. high point: ruby’s arms low point: in shades
Tom Waits album #1
Tom Waits
An acquired taste. Phenomenal song writing and lyrically brilliant.
Really enjoyed
An alright album, I liked Saving All My Love For You and On The Nickel.
Smerige cartoon-achtige slijmerige stem, en deze blik alleen al. bleghj
Alright I gotta be real this album just blew me away! I know Tom Waits as an actor and a generally cool person, and obviously I knew he was “mainly” a musician, but I just never got around to listening to any of his stuff. Definitely a massive blind spot for me. This is amazing! I know a lot of people won’t vibe with the voice (or lack thereof), but I thought it added so much character and texture to these songs! It’s so dramatic! Many times I thought “this could be a showtune!” It’s big and theatrical and beautifully produced and written. Waits is out Springsteening Springsteen at various points here. Add me to the list of people who didn’t realize (until today) that “Jersey Girl” is a Waits song, not Springsteen. “Ruby’s Arms” might be a top 5 “first heard for this project” song. Utterly heartbreaking. Achingly sad. Enjoyed every second of this album!
𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘦 is a gritty, blues-soaked album with a rough, growling voice at its center. The uptempo tracks have a raw energy, but it’s the 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘀 where the music truly shines. Songs like 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘭 and 𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 bring a surprising depth and tenderness that cut through the grime. While the overall sound can feel repetitive and the gruff vocals may not be for everyone, the slower, emotional moments reveal a powerful storyteller beneath the whiskey-soaked surface. A solid listen, especially when the volume comes down and the heart takes over.
I think this is the 3rd Waits album on this list so far…so that’s a good thing. A unique singer songwriter that for a second or two may seem a bit repetitive but the it’s worth it.
hmmmm...
Such a variety of music with a voice I oddly love!
I've tried before and the beat poetry is usually not for me. This album is starting off good, but in the end more of what I just dont enjoy.
Very enjoyable album. Slightly weaker than Rain Dogs but still good. 4/5
I don’t like his voice very much, nor do the lyrics make a lot of sense to me (on a first pass). But the rock and roll is sweet to me. The song about the nickel is good.
Classic blues
Homeless person serenade.
2,5/5
Pretty good
I was sad about the assignment at first, but this one made me like Tom Waits a whole lot more than I did when I started. How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on? is still a great question.
Tom Waits has five albums on this list...that it not a reasonable number. I like this one better than the other two I've heard so far. He does love ambient restaurant noise on his albums. Saving All My Love For You is sweet. Jersey Girl too. There's something great about his love songs. This is definitely the best Tom Waits album so far but there's a reason he's more popular with critics than the general population.
listened to it twice. i did like it a lot.
One thing I have leaned with this list is that I absolutely hate Tom Waits voice. Without the "singing" this may be decent background music. This is better than Nighthawks at the Diner, but that's really not much of a compliment.
I like Tom Waits, but I'm not sure he has this many albums that I must listen to before I die.
Caleb asked if this was Louis Armstrong which is fitting. Okay album!
I love when Tom Waits sings, and I'm ambivalent or negative about when he growls his songs. This album tends toward the singing end of the spectrum, which is good. The choruses (outside of Jersey Girl) are a bit underwhelming, though. I'd give 3.5 if I could, but I'm sticking to my round-down policy.
Ok, we get, you're drunk, wallowing in self-pity, and mad at everyone the world - get a grip, loser. His whole persona is meant to be this romanticized self destructive heart on his sleeve lovelorn guy, but in reality he'd be the most tedious bitter self involved dipshit you'd get stuck sitting next to on a Greyhound. He's the tragic figure in a movie where you know there's no hope of turning his arc around and you're just waiting to see how he gets put out of his misery and stops torturing everyone around him. He's good at writing songs painting this one specific, and wildly overdone, literary figure. The thing about making your lyrics the main thing but having a ludicrous kermit the frog on ludes sounding voice is that it's impossible to listen past how you're singing to hear what you're saying. There's no point having the genius mind of a poet and a silly voice deep into self-parody. Jersey Girl is a perfect example of how this album fails: it starts good, has a very cool feel to it and the clear cutting guitar sound is really pretty, and even the strings are well done, but it's ruined as soon as the vocals come in. If you can get past the voice there's a pretty good blues band playing on most of these songs, some decent atmospheric grooves, cool organ parts, and tasteful guitar work.
Not as good as his other works, but still enjoyable to listen to.
Funky blues, gritty voice
The man needs a good cough sweet and a pat on the back. It's like listening to someone slowly drowning from their own split.
I'm having a hard time understanding what makes anany of these albums legendary 😅
His music is good for those background few seconds scenes in movies trying to be.. something cooler than it really is :)
He has a very powerful voice and tells great stories, the lyrics are funny and original too. Unfortunately this just isn't my type of music but I can appreciate it
His voice makes it a bit hard for me to listen to, but the songs are well constructed. I feel like if I saw him live, I'd feel a lot more positively about it.
Love the lyrics. The album sounds like the taste of whiskey on a rainy night
Not really for me…