Heartattack And Vine

This is the third Tom Waits album that has been generated for me. The first one felt striking, different, and interesting, but is having 5 on this list really necessary? This may be the best of the three so far, but the law of diminishing returns means it struggles to hold the interest as well as the first one did. 3/5.

3.5/5

Pretty okay-- this album transports me to a dark and smoky lounge, where I'm listening to the man at the piano sing and reminisce while I'm sipping on a Manhattan or martini.

Pretty dark - enjoyable all the same.

Some wonderful lyrics and music and whilst his voice can be challenging to listen to, it was worth the effort and some tracks were really good

A vine effort

Visar på vad som komma ska

6/10

62 Heartattack & Vine - Tom Waits 9 tracks What a punchy start to this album.Clapping hands sign The title track grabs you by the nads & demands your attention but is unable to hold those heights throughout. It's still brilliant in places & a real roller-coaster with such variety. 3/5

3/5 it's folk, bob dylan-esque.

not bad

Heerlijke zware blues stem met een stevige folk sound

Un poco voceón y con voz chamuscada

Always a pleasure hearing a new Tom Waits album. I liked it as always, it doesn't stand out especially against his other bluesy ones though

Eh. I appreciate the idea of Tom Waits, but a full album of his is a bit much.

Low key and generally inoffensive, but not going to revisit ever. 3.5

I've been looking forward to a Waits album showing up and was excited to listen to one I hadn't heard before, but this didn't quite hit as much as I hoped. The Waits I know and love is later than this, where the instrumentation is more eclectic, the mood and style more varied, the songwriting darker and more abstract. This was fun to listen to, but for me it didn't scale the heights of his later work collaborating with Kathleen Brennan. After the first couple of tracks (an ominous, moody opener setting the tone with the repeated proclamation "there ain't no devil, there's just God when he's drunk"), the album settles into alternating lush chamber ballads with menacing, prowling blues. Something that's remained consistent throughout his career, and stood out here, are the strength of the ballads. "On the Nickel" is almost heartachingly beautiful, and "Jersey Girl" - the one I'd heard before- has a strong, daringly sing-along refrain for Waits. In other places, this felt like lounge music from the end of the world, presented by Wait's fried grizzled howl. A lot of the songs felt a shade too long and didn't expand much beyond the first minute or two, and the instrumental "In Shades" was fine but completely inconsequential. Honourable mention to "'Til the Money Runs Out" for making me want to strut through a burning building.

This album features a meth’d out Tom Waits doing Bruce Springsteen impression singing b-sides from Greetings From Asbury Park

okay sound to me...deep voice.

Хороший классический блюз

Pretty good. 6-7/10

3.5 / 5

Pretty good album. A couple of excellent songs but a little slow. 3 stars

Voz profunda y grave de cantautor norteamericano. No es un timbre de voz que me guste especialmente. Las canciones no son malas, pero no es mi estilo. Quizás un tanto depresivo

something about this I sorta loved but at the same time sorta hated. 3.5

I like about half of this album. Songs like "Heart attack and Vine" and "Downtown" are great but I really don't like the songs with the string arrangements.

I don‘t like the way he sings on that album

3.5, glad I listened, but not gonna put it on again

Ballads and blues from the gutter. Nobody can visualize the moment that you are in a pub at closing time drunk enough to kiss someone you would try to avoid at daytime like Tom Waits can.

Average

Hmmmmm. He's got a great voice no doubt, but it's used too much as the USP. The songs could be good without such an overbearing voice and in some places it detracts from a good song. None the less he is a very prominent musical figure and has influenced a lot of great stuff.

Impressive voice, but got a bit repetitive for me. Aware of the impact he's had on modern music though

Drunk voice.

I get the point and the musicality of the album, but Tom Waits is just not the singer for me, unfortunately.

Nice Blues album, Enjoyable listen but not something I personally would go to.

Bit too slow for me. Love his gravelly voice and will check out the rest of the discography

Meh

Sometimes I think that I want to like Tom Waits more. I've heard a few individual tracks from Waits, but never a close listen and never a full album. I'm still not sure if I do or should like Waits. The interesting bassline in "'Til the Money Runs Out" might be the track that keeps this album well into the 3-star range. "Downtown" and "Jersey Girl" weren't bad for my first listen either.

I dig the music and instrumentals. Perhaps it's heresy but his iconic voice gets to be a bit much when listening to a whole album.

Como que o sujeito canta assim sem estragar a garganta toda gente.

Some wonderful lyrics and music and whilst his voice can be challenging to listen to, it was worth the effort and some tracks were really good

This one sits in an awkward spot between Waits' early beat-crooner phase and his later tinpan-circus-in-a-gutter phase. Small Change or Blue Valentine do this same thing way, way better imo.

Deep husky vocals. Good lyrics and a good listen. Could have been tempted to go 4 star.

Very deep sound

Excellent, bluesy,gravelly voice. Better than I anticipated although he has a stellar reputation. ***

damn i do not like his voice, its so gravelly without being warm or rich at all. the slow burners are pretty unbearable but the songwriting isn't too bad overall, i guess i see why people like it. 5

What a weird album. Idk how I feel, pretty groovy but also kinda boring. 6?

3/5

Some are good, others are like he's taking a difficult shit

Music ended up pretty good but his voice was quite bad. Overall 6ish

There are a lot of things I like about Tom Waits but his voice is too gritty for my musical taste. There is one song on this album where he doesn't use his gritty voice- I wish he would do that more.

The voice always throws me off, its so gravel. Couple nice songs, don't like ballads

Good blues and other beautiful arrangements. Vocals are guttural almost to the point of comical. Got me interested in other Tom Waits' music, which brought up some good tunes. Highlights: -On The Nickel

Interesting sound

What a voice

Two Tom Waits album in one week. Oh, the nostalgia. Sends me back to being a kid in the 90s just chilling with my dad while he works when I wasn’t at school. Some of these songs are melodies to me as sacred as the Beatles or Rolling Stones are to the general public.

I guess now is the time to confess that I don't really get Bob Dylan. I like several of his songs, I've seen him live, I've listened to multiple albums multiple times; it's not as if I hate Bob Dylan. I just don't really get him. Like, why do people revere him so much? He's good, but I've never understood why he's great. That being said, this was probably the most I've ever liked a Bob Dylan album. It's got a nice feel to it, and it's consistent without being too samey. Starts out very strong with Tangled Up in Blue, and finishes strong as well. His poetry is great throughout and is highly accessible as well. Maybe I just hate harmonicas? 4/5

Er hat eine bemerkenswerte Stimme und die Musik ist gut. Etwas zu abwechslungsreich. Der Rock gefiel mir meistens ganz gut, aber die Balladen waren mir zu unspektakulär und das warme Gefühl im Herzen blieb bei mir vermutlich schon auf Grund seiner Stimme aus. Bin ich wohl nicht die Zielgruppe.

Quite interesting and unique, very deep voice but somewhat soothing piano play

Lidt irriterende med den stemme på nogle fede numre

I don't think I'll adjust to Tom Waits' voice anytime soon, but it's growing on me. Musically, it was pretty great. The vocals did throw me off, though.

I love Tom Waits, he might just be my favorite singer-songwriter of all time. I consider this a transitional album, last album of his asylum years and that is why some of the songs do not hit as hard and the album feels a little disjointed. He would go ahead to make swordfishtrombones and if this album was his launching point to that I respect the hell out of it. 3.5/5

Pretty nice instrumentals. Not the right kind of singer for it imo. I wouldn’t have thought this came out in the 80s either. 4/10

не люблю мужской хриплый вокал тут он чуть ли не булькает кошмар а музыка неплохая чисто для придорожных кафе линча

1. Heartattack And Vine (★★★★☆) 2. In Shades (★★★★☆) 3. Saving All My Love For You (★★★⯨☆) 4. Downtown (★★★⯨☆) 5. Jersey Girl (★★⯨☆☆) 6. 'Til The Money Runs Out (★★★⯨☆) 7. On The Nickel (★★⯨☆☆) 8. Mr. Siegal (★★★☆☆) 9. Ruby's Arms (★★⯨☆☆) -TOTAL = ★★★⯨☆ (3,2) -Debería ser un 3, pero no lo es subjetivamente hablando, porque se sintió vacío, artificial, caricaturesco, casi como un álbum cantado por el youtuber recientemente póstumo "gaspi"... Es un 2.

Had to listen in pieces cause his voice gave me a headache so that sums up how I feel about this album

Too normal for a Tom Waits fan to enjoy, too weird for a normal person to enjoy. I'm disappointed. I have to agree with the top review as I write, it's like listening to a drunk Muppet singing in a musical set in a bar.

Van Morrison after gargling with sulphuric acid. Some good instrumental but christ that voice.

I just can’t listen to his singing, his voice isn’t what annoys me, it’s the way he sings. The musicality of the album is good, just abysmal singing.

Un caramelito de miel para Tom. Igual estuvo bien.

Yet another Tom Waits album from the generator. And probably the one I liked the least? Not bad, just didn't have any "wow" moments for me 2/5

It's like if RFK Jr made a record..

1. vine - 2 2. zhadez - 2 3. love - 1 4. douuntouun - 2 5. jerzey - 1 6. money - 1 7. nickel - 2 8. ziegel - 2 9. ruby - 2

Didn’t like his voice.

The title song is great. The rest did nothing for me.

Not my jam.

Sounded like Bruce Springsteen needed to clear his throat

lowk his voice bothered me

Damn, I didn’t know Cookie Monster from Sesame Street had released an album featured in this list. In all seriousness, the novelty wore off about two songs in, and the rest became more of an endurance test against the voice of Mr. Waits. I couldn’t really focus on the lyrics either, as most of my energy went into simply making it to the end. Some of the instrumentals were moody in the right way, though, and I did enjoy the bluesy guitar work. Still, I don’t think I’ll be revisiting it. The one song I liked was "In Shades".

I can take some blues rasp, but this guy sounds like he thinks growling out lyrics makes them more “artistic”.

His voice makes me want to strangle somebody, really can't stand it. Instrumentals were good though.

Further on the record of I do not care for this man's music

Some good guitar work but spoilt by that voice. 2/5 3/5/26

Soms vibey ma meer storend dan vibey

This project has really worn me out on Tom Waits. Something about the way he sings seems so forced and fake (sorry if that is his real voice) that it just turns me off of him. He just seems like he is trying so hard and trying to be so amazing. I liked the bluesy jazzy sounds but his voice and my previous reviews of him just sour it.

This would be so much better if you removed his singing completely from the album. The music is actually really decent with lots of range, but you have some warbling, gruff drunkard slurring over the top of it. On some songs it works well, actually, but the rest of the album is not great. It follows a similar pattern to other albums of his, where there’s much to admire, but it’s only in pockets, and the rest is just weird and a bit irritating. 2.5 rounded down.

A 5/10. Honestly, this just isn’t really my style. I can respect the character, the roughness, and the whole smoky bar kind of vibe… but it doesn’t fully connect with me.

oh brother, not this guy again. "I paid fifteen dollars for a prostitute with too much makeup and a broken shoe" sorry to tell you Drunken Tom but that was probably a dude. Better instrumentals than the last album from him but I'm gonna credit literally anyone else than Tom and his shitty voice. Clear your throat one single time

first 5 minutes hell yea last however long hell no

Wanted to like it, but his voice. 2.5

No lo recomiendo mientras manejas.

His voice just cannot be real

Some nice melodies, and good lyrics, but his voice truly is a lot.

Parodie? aeinige Lieder waren cool, aber dieser Gesangstyle ...

An album that certainly has it's moments, but is quite full of itself. It gets a bit much.

3/10

Det här är egentligen en rätt tråkig bluesskiva. Tack vare två patenterade Waits-ballader blir det ändå okej nog för en tvåa. Övrigt konstaterande: Waits har fem album i boken, men inget av dem är Closing time. Hur är det möjligt?

Try as I might I can’t really handle Tom Waits 90% of the time. RYM: N Saved a song: N

Why is Austin Butler on the cover? He sounds like Sylvester the cat with his lisp I liked the parts where he wasn't singing

Not great for me to listen too.

Garten, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Mh, naja - not my cup of tea.

Upon seeing Tom Waits today my heart sank, only hearing the abysmal ‘Nighthawks’ album before, but this album was so much better than that. Still not a fan of the vocals, but at least this focused on the songs. Overall 2.5/5 rounding down, not super excited seeing I still have another 3 of his albums to go..

interesante album pero no mi tipo 2.4 estrellas

*Some cool blue stuff but I find Waits' voice too abrasive and some of his slow stuff boring

Blind album, know the artist. Too slow, too raspy, too much.

can't drink enough whiskey to listen to more than one song

It's not for me. I get he's highly regarded, but maybe I just haven't heard the right combination yet.

Musically great.

Man, I get it. Just not my jam

Better than I thought it was going to be. 2.7 for me

I really like his music but his voice grates on me and ruins it for me. 2

A 2 star album

This is some gritty, grimy, kinda-blues, kinda-rock, kinda just ballads stuff. Waits's voice is crazy. I liked the music itself, but the vocals are definitely an acquired taste. Standout tracks on this listen were "Heartattack and Vine" "In Shades" "'Til the Money Runs Out" I think this is not for me. I wouldn't revisit any of it and my favorite track was the instrumental. 2/5 for me.

It has some nice songs untill the vocals start.

Tom Waits is hit or miss for me and this was mostly a miss. Sounded like a shitty Bruce Springsteen album mixed with the blues (BLEH)

I hate his voice in all songs except two.

Not bad, interested to check out more of his music

Couldn’t get past his voice

Felt like listening to raven who was ravening.

Sorry, but he sounds like SpongeBob singing while delivering Krusty Krab pizza and that's all I hear 😂

Crossover between Nick Cave and a drunk Santa Claus Music was okey… sometimes

That was a weird experience, definitely will not hear this one again, On the nickel was a hard one to get through, but I understand the idea and soul behind it, the instrumental and the lyrics was phenomenal, but the vocals and melody? not my style. But sure a pretty good album. Today´s bird: Shoebill Stork

give this guy a drink

heart attack on vine? this guy was ahead of his time

meh 2/5

It’s sooooooooo boring oh my god

Nope.

just really didn’t like this one, i can’t even really put into words why, guess i just don’t like tom waits’ voice here that much… although i did like the sheer anguish you can hear come through at times. also feel the need to highlight that a few hours after i listened to this, a friend of mine messaged me to ask if i was alright because he was “bedazzled” to see me listening to this. sorry tom waits i’m sure your other stuff is good.

My god, the phlegm. It's so horrible to listen, I actively wished it to stop. The non-phlegmy stuff is pretty good though.

I've liked the Tom Waits so far on this list, but this one that comes and goes without much of anything interesting. "Nighthawks at the Diner" had a fun live boozey club setting, "Bone Machine" had cool production and percussion. This one doesn't have much going for it. The vocals can get comedic here, which is a given for any Waits album, but it happened quite often. The songs weren't all that strong.

it’s time to put the cigarettes DOWN tom

2/5

Kinda sad. Not my vibe.

Awful. Very nearly a one star

I struggled to get into this honestly. The vibe and sound was just... nope.

i literally burst out laughing when he started singing

No getting around the fact this is just weird

Was alright l, I like Tom

I've now heard enough Tom Waits that the vocals aren't surprising...but even when I'm paying attention I can't make out the lyrics unless he goes with more of a crooner vibe (like on "Saving All My Love For You"), but that version of his vocals doesn't work that well for me. Tom Waits is not for me, and that's OK. 2.4

I was already familiar with some Tom Waits material but not this album. This is more of the same however. I can respect him as an artist, but I really don't care for this voice. This was hard for me to get through. I would not listen again.

I don't really know what context I would listen to this outside of sitting in a leather chair with a pipe and a fedora.

Not my thing

Oh man, I am so not in the head space for this Tom Waits. I just can't get past his voice. I get why he's for some, he's just not for me.

I like the idea of Tom Waits more than I like his music. This was a chore to get through. Either be weirder or be less obvious, man.

I like Tom’s voice on a few other tracks from other albums where it’s darker and more sinister. Not really a fan of him actually singing ballad style it’s very grating.

That voice…….

Most of the Tom Waits I've heard is too folkey for me, while I do like his more rock oriented stuff. His voice is quite amazing and many a song carries on that alone.

Still don’t see the appeal of Waits. Just not for me, I guess. 2/5 Won’t listen again

not the best phase of tom waits

First track, the title track, was good, and the penultimate one was ok. But other than that he has decided to become a second rate Springsteen. and as I consider him to be a third rate performer, this is a real disappointment to me. I much preferred his earlier missive. Now all I have to do is decide is the 2 decent tracks are enough to drag it into the realms of a 2, yes, but only just.

The guy who wrote that Tom Waits sounds like the blue alien from Return of the Jedi increased my enjoyment 2x. To be clear, I don’t mind “bad” singing, it's just that Waits sounds so phony to me.

4/10 - a gravelly blues soundtrack, not my jazz but I'm sure others will like it

I think I'd probably like it if someone else sang it. The instrumentals are good and all but I can't bear his voice

Can't say I've heard this music before although the name rings a bell. I don't really like bluesy jazzy stuff though.

I just can't get on with the voice and its just not my cup of tea.

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

dylan and cohen could not have prepared me for this mans voice.

This album didn’t suck as much as I thought it would.

Saddest thing I've heard since "Mom found the yaoi"

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.

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

Dude needs to clear his throat

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.

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.

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

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

Can't stand the throaty voice of Waits. Definetly unique album, but not for me.

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

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

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 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

This sounds like bad Karaoke.

Pretty mid. Cool voice tho.

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

More Tom Waits. Hopefully the end of Tom Waits on this list. 1.5/5

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.

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

basta

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

No

Least favourite of the Waits albums i’ve listened to. I’d rather just read the lyrics.

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 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

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.

Not my scene

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.

Tbh not feeling this album but I do like his more chill piano style music more

It’s a vibe, but not a good one

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.

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.

3/10 - I don’t like his voice at all

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.

I cant rly get behind this one but the grooves save it

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.

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

Meh. Sounded like he wanted to be The Boss but Springsteen has that in hand

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.

You would not think a singing zombie would make boring music but there it is

Tom Waits album #1

hmmmm...

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.

Homeless person serenade.

2,5/5

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.

His music is good for those background few seconds scenes in movies trying to be.. something cooler than it really is :)

Not really for me…

Bedre enn da forrige tror eg

Good to have a bit of Dad Rock for a change. His voice is hard work though, may be an acquired taste but I couldn't get into it.

It’s always challenging to hear something authentically outsider – especially when the thing it’s outside of is, well, not your inside. I’m not American; what I know of its myths and autofictions I know from books, TV and film. So as much as I think I recognise this America – Lou Reid, Jim Jarmusch, bits of Delillo – I do so, mostly, thanks to secondhand accounts. Certainly, there’s a literary quality to “Heartattack and Vine”. Songs like “‘Til The Money Runs Out” and “Downtown” are richly atmospheric, undeniably arresting. There’s a hardboiled feel to the storytelling, and I can see the appeal of Waits as a detective-slash-flaneur of America’s gritty backstreet theatre. But ultimately, this album fails to totally register for me. At times I wince, even cringe as our detective assumes the perspectives of his marks … and sounds more like 90s-era William S Boroughs (read: pitiable) than anything like the man in his pomp. It’s entirely possible that I lack imagination, that I’m just too other to the others on display here to get it. But by the time the record’s done, I’m afraid I’m left feeling more like I’ve just watched “Bad Santa” than heard a beat poet.

I might have liked this if it were another singer but I can't get past that horrible voice. I don't get the appeal.

Outstayed its welcome after 2 minutes. He’s terrible, but at least he means it.

Arty-Farty-White-Men-Blues with a terrible voice. None of my Business.

Really did not like this

Tom Waits again! Really? As much as I want to skip the listen and go straight to 1 Star, I won’t cheat. Giving a spin now, wait one…. Done. Remastered, for no obvious reason. Didn’t hate it. Still a far cry from like. He’s better as an actor. Enough with the Waits.

Distinctive. Can't say it flows. Have heard some of his music before but if I'd started with this I don't know that try another

If I smoked 8 packs a day and was a man who couldn’t hold a stable relationship, I think this is what I would sound like

Is Tom Waits talented…sure. Is his overall style and sound contrived. Yea….yea it is.

I am utterly indifferent to this. It peaks with the title track and then never gets back there.

This album was wild to me. I loved the blues/jazz vibes, instrumentals were great and then he would sing like I would sing silly… he ruined his music. I then listened closer to the lyrics and thought most of them were awful. It was a fascinating listen.

I mean, interesting like the last tom waits album, but honestly just couldn't get into it besides the first song. And even that wasn't crazy

Ganz ok, ächli langatmig.

brucht die liste so viel tom waits? nai. isches no cool de title track jetz? jo. findi sis gebrummel nervig? au jo. bi jetz bi downtown und s het alles sin charme und s isch uhuere speziell aber die stimm muemer würkli wölle ghöre. ich cha etz gad nöd zude songs viel sege aber ich find s isch immer chli s gliich. er git mega viel id performance und die truurige songs sinds au würklich aber ich bi meh gnervt abem als ich freud han. meh. no ein song jetz aber glaub da git es zwei. wenns mis erste tom waits album wär gäbs zimli sicher e 3. aber etz hanis langsam gseh mit den guy.

Aggressively boring, but not actually unpleasant. It made me feel like I was at a Christmas dinner where my chain-smoking uncle had gotten drunk and decided to adlib new lyrics to a Disney movie soundtrack. Some tracks were decent listening, but only decent. I couldn’t help but snicker at the line about the $15 prostitute, despite its intended seriousness. I didn’t actually dislike the vocals, they’re interesting and… fine, but the general vibe of the music is just quite boring and forgettable. I didn’t hate it, but it’s not for me.

It was fine, but I certainly wouldn't seek out more.Tom Waits

Technically good I guess but not for me.

The only exposure I've had to Tom Waits is his guest appearance on Tommy the Cat by Primus. He sounds so much like Captain Beefheart Didn't like this. Saving All My Love For You and On the Nickel are pretty crap, they sound like the big tough guy showing that deep down he's a sensitive soul in a Disney film. Ruby's Arms was also goofy. For me his voice doesn't suit what is supposed to be these sentimental and emotional tracks, and while I was going to write that he should be doing crazy stuff, I initially like his voice on songs like 'Til the Money Runs Out but quickly get tired of it before it's even done. So maybe I don't actually like his voice as much as I thought Probably says a lot then that the instrumental In Shades was easily my favourite Highlights: In Shades

01) Heartattack and Vine - 7,0 02) In Shades - 6,0 03) Saving All My Love for You - 6,0 04) Downtown - 5,5 05) Jersey Girl - 7,0 06) Til the Money Runs Out - 5,5 07) On the Nickel - 6,0 08) Mr. Siegal - 5,0 09) Ruby's Arms - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,94 (59/100) Current ranking: 407/511 His voice is really unbearable at times. The previous two albums got one star, this one might get one more.

As someone who married a Jersey Girl, never has it sounded so miserable to be with a Jersey Girl. Tom Waits just is not for me, Nighthawks at the Diner annoyed me and this bored me, take this gravely voiced nonsense somewhere far away from me.

Excited to see Tom Waits because whether I like it or not it's always interesting. That being said there is probably too much Tom Waits on the list overall. I might have had my hopes too high or I've heard too much parody of Tom Waits in my life. This whole album felt like a parody. Jersey Girl was the best track. He has too many albums on the list. The list could lose this one.

Couldn't get past the muppet voice

Pretty weird stuff here, classic Tom but just ok

Strange voice, but some good music, and songs.

Imagine waking up in the morning, excited to see what your daily album is. Only to find its another fucking Tom Waits album I've already suffered through 2 of his other albums - both a 1 star. I hate to say it but this album was slightly more bearable. The songs were ok! But his VOICE!!! Dreadful For that reason its getting a 2. But I will never be a Tom Waits fan 2 ⭐️

This guy makes me think of a muppet. It’s actually pretty ridiculous.

The voice sounds like he's gargled glass; it's fully understandable why Tom Waits is an acquired taste. I just want to tell him to clear his ruddy throat. I feel he may have grown into the voice with age, and his aged baritone on the later album 'Bone Machine' gives it some more gravelly weight. A couple of enjoyable tunes here but the result for me is a bit Emperor's New Clothes. I can't see the attraction from this album alone - and I still await my Waits epiphany.

Voice is not for me

Unverwechselbare Stimme, vielseitige Lieder. Aber nicht so meins.

Jersey girls good but I feel like I’m getting yelled at in every song

Wouldn’t be mad if I never heard this again

I mean... That was a thing I listened to. Not necessarily bad. But that voice is a high hurdle to clear. Don't think I'm there yet.

Off to a better start than expected. Heartattack and Vine was a solid intro and In Shades is dripped out in a nice drawn out jazzy tone. Could just be the overt references to NJ, but Jersey Girl reminds me of a Springsteen song in the worst sort of way. Yeah really this has been a turn for the worse.. really not feeling On The Nickel -- sounds like a grandfather bending down to pick something up while yelling at his grandchildren. For me this was an up and down record -- I enjoyed some of the earlier tracks that leaned into a jazzy vibe, but hated the more drawn out balladry. End result is a very high 2 to my ears.

It's like a bad Randy Newman.

Boring. Not a fan of the vocals. Was glad when it ended.

This was boring, the instrumental was not needed, and my main problem was that he was saving all his love for somebody yet spent 15 dollars on a prostitute

1. I'd hate to be the tech who has to clean this guy's microphone. Gross. I get the same feelings listening to this song as I get listening to something chewing with their mouth open 2. Not bad at all 3. Is he putting us on with this voice? Like this is serious? 4. Better vocals, for sure. Like not good or anything, but the bar is pretty low after the last song 5. Ok, so this guy would probably be alright as an instrumental act. Or would definitely benefit from someone who doesn't have such a distractingly tragic voice 6. Let's start a men's barbershop quartet with this guy, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan. If we're to pretend bad singing is what makes something like this album great, let's go all in 7. Badbadnotgood is a way to describe this using the name of a band that is good. "Fucking awful" is another way 8. I think his voice actually works quite well with this blues-style song. Enjoyable 9. This kind of reminds me of a bad Springsteen impersonator. And let's be real, Bruce doesn't have the best voice either

Not a huge Tom Waits fan.

Not my fave. 2/5

Not sure how to characterize. It’s Bluesky rock of no particular distinction

I hated this one slightly less than the previous Tom Waits album.

2,5

More Tom Waits, barely heard of the guy a couple of years ago and now I've been through half his discography. This was definitely the most straightforward of the albums we've had, he has a good gravelly voice for blues rock but found it dull mostly, was waiting for the mask to slip and for everything to start getting weird. I don't particularly like him when he's odd, or when he's playing it straight. Think I just don't particularly like Tom Waits.

Liked it when he wasn’t singing. Honky tonk vibes may get better w time ?

Didn’t enjoy most of it but thought Jersey Girl was a great track. Hard album cover Best song: Jersey Girl

Feel like I should either be riding a horse or in a dimly lit, smoke-filled whiskey bar. How many packs a day Tom?

This was my first time listening to any of these songs, and this artist. I listened to the first 3 songs of the album driving, then the rest of it doing squats at the gym. I wasn't expecting his voice, but I thought it was nice. My favourite song was the second on the album 'In Shades', as it felt pretty immersive. Overall I thought it was okay. I didn't add any songs to any playlists, and not sure I will listen to it again. I think I need to get better at listening to albums as I was too hyperaware that I needed to think about how it was making me feel.

Tom Waits? More like Sol waits for a good fucking song❗️❗️

A couple of songs that would work well with a different singer but largely a bunch of songs about a world for which I have no affection sung by a bloke who sounds like he's taking the piss out of Springsteen

He sounds like a cave troll, I can't understand a single word. Not that I need to to enjoy music, but damn, boring.

Marmite. Decent lyrics at times, but I just find the music incredibly plodding. Prefer the love ballads, but could do without the vagrant -coughing-up-sputum-into-a-gutter vibe.

I forgot he had that goofy, muppety voice.

At times I enjoyed this album, but his voice - I just couldn’t get used to it.

not my taste..

Different… raspy, smokers voice.

I get tired of this schtick very quickly

Geht so.

All I know about Tom Waits is that he has a crazy voice, never actually listened to his music before. It's honestly kind of hard to listen to, the amount of gravel in his voice is absurd, I know that's his whole schtick but I don't know if it's for me. The actual songs are pretty classic blues based which I didn't really expect, definitely not bad. I feel like the lyrics are actually really good and the songwriting is pretty good, but man I just cannot stand his voice, he sings like he's making fun of someone else's singing. Yeah this was a rough listen in the morning.

Why'd he sound like Beetlejuice

I can take the voice of Captain Beefheart, Geddy Lee and Leonard Cohen, but Tom Waits doesn't really gel with me. It's a bit too much and distracts from his lyrics. Instrumentation is quite nice if a bit too slow for my taste.

I wish he'd just have a good cough.

4.5/10

meh

Musically and lyrically, this is quite good. The problem is when he opens his mouth and sings. WTF?? Sorry folks, but that voice killed this for me.

Voice got grating VERY QUICK

Needs to clear his throat.

How did Tom Waits get this album past anyone?

Tom Waits howling out another blues album. Certainly good at doing what he does but harsh sounding for me.

Alright. I feel a lot of things about this album. I could see what it was going for. But it just felt like a weird menagerie of bluesy jazzy jams and really terrible Christmas songs. This guy sings about a fucking penny for 6 minutes and 19 seconds and it is UNBEARABLE. The tracks where he didn't sing were great. Although it could've just been the relief of not having to hear this guy hack up every single lyric as if it's his last dying breaths. The blues numbers, I did like, but the more, well, I wouldn't even know what to call them - they were, not so good. This vocal style can actually sound good, but this album, just didn't pull it off for me. If you want something like this that is actually listenable, go and listen to 'Solitary Pleasures' Album by James Leg. That's good shit. So sorry Tom.

spitty speach

Bara för att det är Tom Waits betyder det ju inte att det är bra per automatik. Ganska svagt album.

Bedre enn da forrige tror eg

Like if vic reeves club singer smoked two packs a day

Was that RFK Jr. as their lead singer?

expected more from tom waits, not sure why