Reviews (page 7 of 8)
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
# Playlist track - Heartattack And Vine # Notes - The album kicks off on a moody, kind of interesting vibe, which is super nice. But it never leaves. By the 3rd track I'm kind of sick of the same shtick. - It then tried to get moving again and becomes enjoyable for a while. Waits then falls again on the hole and it's back to the same old. - The atmosphere is there, it's well executed. But it's a bit boring to stay at this bar for the entire album.
Absolutely cannot take Tom Waits voice seriously at all. Some of these cuts are laugh-out-loud cheesy. Musically, very diverse.
I once wondered if I would enjoy Tom Wait's music. I don't.
Pretty boring compared to albums like Rain Dogs or Swordfishtrombones. Did we really need to hear this?
This sounds like a parody album on South Park. How did people take this seriously
Not for me. A few good songs
it sounds like he’s trying too hard
Found the lyrics hard to follow and the vocals regularly unpleasant. He does put a lot of emotion into his singing especially on the last track but def not for me
Boring, awful vocals, nothing good to say about this album
- Tom Waits, so ein Name, den man ständig überall und schon über hört, den ich aber nie wirklich registriert habe. - Album ist eine wirklich wilde Mischung aus Jazz, RocknRoll, Blues und Klassik - Stimme ist bestimmt authentisch, klingt für mich leider nicht so und nervt mich dementsprechend - Insgesamt war ich leider eher unbeeindruckt, weiß aber jetzt, was Tom Waits macht 2,5/5
This is a rough one. Tom Waits is cool and an incredible musician/writer. At the same time this album wore me out. I would have enjoyed reading the lyrics as poems instead of him grunting them at me. Middle of the road stars, I wanted to like it more.
I loved the title track "Heartattack and Vine" plus "'Til the Money Runs Out"- his voice matches the bluesy ballad style of these tracks. But on tracks like "Saving All My Love for You", it's almost like he's a parody of himself.
Come on now
Almost listenable
I was curious about this one. A distinct voice for sure, but sometimes a bit jarring. I don't know what to think. The storytelling when it can be understood is really good. However, the style isn't always pleasant to listen to. When it works during some of the tracks, it is definitely good. Not likely to listen again though. Highlights: Downtown
Correcto
Off-putting
Bad
I liked the lyrics and understand how people might love his music. I felt like at times I was listening to a Louie Armstrong song, but at others like the Tasmanian Devil and/or songs from team America. Not sure how much I’d listen when it’s not a super popular song.
Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: passend angegrabbelt, schmierig und vergilbt Mix: angesichts der versumpften Vocals fast schon überraschend klare und wuchtige Mische der Instrumentierung Musik: Andere Reviews vergleichen Tom Waits' Stimme zu einem betrunkenen, Geschichten erzählenden Muppet, dem blauen Alien aus Star Wars: Episode VI (Special Edition!) und einem obdachlosem, tibetischem Kehlkopfsänger. Alles bestimmt lustig gemeint. Aber wahr. Wertung: 📰📰/5
Not really my preferred Tom Waits mode.
Тому Уэйтсу нет (но всё ещё не так плохо как другие его альбомы)
i really respect the creativity, originality, artistry of tom waits and i want to like him. but i don't
Dit album was naar alle waarschijnlijkheid de barrière die tussen mij en Abbey Road stond. Maar goed, ik moet er toch aan geloven. En meteen voelt het eerste nummer aan alsof je een roggel in je gezicht krijgt die voor de ene helft bestaat uit sigarettenas en de andere helft uit whiskey. Je kan van alles zeggen over het geluid, maar uniek is het wel, en ik begin er steeds beter aan te wennen. Op dit album staan wel een paar nummers die me wat meer liggen, waaronder Downtown en Til The Money Runs Out. De band is echt goed: fijne orgelgeluidjes en korte krachtige bluesriffs. That's more like it Waits! Rating: 7 Highlights: Downtown, Til The Money Runs Out
Na 'Nighthawks at the Diner' komt een ander album van dit mythische figuur aan bod dat niet al te hoog staat op mijn favorieten-lijstje. Dit album belichaamt de overgang van Tom's gevoelige, dronken ballad-periode (barfly Tom) naar het tijdperk waarin hij meer ging experimenteren en een beetje een maffe joker werd. Die periode, vanaf de jaren 80 tot begin jaren 90, staat het dichtst bij mijn hart, al heeft early Tom ook z'n briljante momenten. Deze plaat - de laatste op Asylum Records - mixt de rauwe blues met zijn dronken bar-hang persona. In die vroegere periode van zijn loopbaan was zijn grootste deugd dat hij zijn verhalen en de - vaak fictieve - hoofdrollen met angstaanjagende precisie kon vertolken. Op rauwe en emotionele wijze werpt hij een blik met een vergrootglas op de verschoppelingen van de maatschappij, wat ook maar gewoon mensen blijken zijn. Dit album bevat met 'On The Nickel' en 'Ruby's Arms' twee van die ontroerende stukken, die tekenend zijn voor 70s Waits. En meer dan in zijn voorgaande albums worden de rauwe lyrics van ballads als deze uitgebalanceerd door de rauwe instrumentatie in andere nummers. De titelsong en 'Mr. Siegal' zijn hier goede voorbeelden van. Dit zorgt voor wat meer variatie, waar de 'Island Trilogy' van de jaren 80 bol van staat. Toch voelt dit album meer als een losse flodder tussen twee iconische tijdperken door, al is hij stilistisch onmisbaar voor de evolutie van de beste man. De blues zijn me iets te simpel, en de songwriting trekt me minder dan op 'Closing Time' en 'Blue Valentine', bijvoorbeeld. Één voor in de collectie, onbreekbaar op de chronologe tijdlijn van de artiest Tom Waits, maar muzikaal bij lange na niet mijn favoriet. 5,5/10 Highlights: Heartattack and Vine Ruby's Arms
A bit boring tbh
Not a fan. Reminds me of Bruce Springsteen and I don’t like him either. Personally don’t think gravely voices are good.
Sounds like he wants to be Louis Armstrong
I didn't know what to expect but it really feels as though you shouldn't take this Album too seriously.
Incredible blues opening with the first two tracks and then Tom Waits comes back in and ruins everything with his awful vocals. And it continues with beautiful songs and arrangements however Tom Waits cannot sing. The same continues through the rest of the album.
Tom was very influential, but like Bob Dylan I find his singing awful. The album had a couple of good blues tunes on it but overall not very good.
I came to read through the reviews as I listened to this album and sure enough there were people who thought the same thing I did...."am I listening to a drunk muppet?" I love the music...I can tolerate his voice on most songs, I just don't think I would choose to come back and visit this album again!
I liked the energy but not the album. Favourite track: Jersey Girls.
In the reverse of the usual way of these things, Waits seems to get better with each album. This seems to be from the period where he is still a piano-based balladeer - not my favourite phase. Also, I started to find the voice a bit grating after a while - the mannered style seems to work better when the music is a bit odder than it is here. On this it sounded - to me - a little faked or forced. Once I heard that, I couldn't get past it. I like Waits as an artist, but not a big fan of this particular album.
I just cannot take any of Tom waits songs seriously lmao he sounds like he’s drunk when he sings
Waits' voice is unique and therefore polarizing. I am just not the biggest fan of it, but can appreciate a couple songs, Downtown being my favorite. While I do like the lyrical themes of the anti-hero and the downtrodden, it is just a little to grating to listen to the whole album all the way through.
Something about the vocals, and music, but maybe not for 2024 in my car on a grey day, definitely not in a Midwest Saloon smelling of liquor and smoke.
Jazz. Ok
First song is great, minimalist music, rasping, screechy vocals. the second one, In Shades, is generic blues-boredom. Third song, Saving All My Love For You, sounds comical; his voice doesn't suit the song - which has good lyrics, but... the delivery is weird, not in a good way. Certainly is original, though. 'Downtown' (the fourth song) is better; his voice does work better with less gentle songs - but it's not the best song, slightly predictable. Jersey Girl isn't the strongest or most interesting song, and the vocals in the chorus grate, although the softer bits are okay. The music in ''Til the Money Runs Out' is crisp and funky; the singing suits it - although I'd prefer it if someone with a nicer delivery fronted the music. He just doesn't have the glamour and depth of, say, Black Francis' bone-shattering scream. He sounds more like a frothing, sputtering, wife-beating drunk - which I guess is what he's going for. (You could call it 'swampy', being generous.) On the Nickel is boring for me, but might be interesting to some; its vocals progress from lisping to shower opera. Mr Siegal works! It's the right blend of those vocals and simple music. I won't say I'll listen to it again and again - stylistically, it's boring old blues - but the song works well and is a good one for basic-blues lovers. (This song is unnecessarily long, though, as well.) Kinda glad when this album was over - although I will be playing the opening track, Heartattack and Vine again. And... it is wildly original, unusual, and will appeal to some people very much - not to me, though. A worthy listen - once!
Die Stimme geht gar nicht.. instrumental ist ok
I like the songs themselves but I’m gonna be real with y’all, his voice made me burst out LAUGHING like I just couldn’t take the growling seriously!
Sorry Tom Waits, I just can’t groove with you. Barely a 2.
Why? It's a cute presentation and the songs are fine I guess but they sound very sappy and overwrought like a sad movie.
This is my third Tom Waits album on the list, and for many reasons, I bloody hate the guy. To be fair, I was fully expecting to hate this album and whilst I didn't like it, it was a lot more bearable than Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs, which is something. Whilst both those two albums I scored 1/5, I'm willing to extend to 2/5 for this one, but still, fuck Tom Waits.
Surprisingly Tom Waits voice is not the turn-off for this album. I just found the songwriting pretty bland, nothing really grabbed me at any time. His voice is pretty dope tho. Fav Songs: - Downtown
Great lyrics, not so great voice. Sounds like he needs to clear his throat!
I grow tired of the shtick. Outside of this list I will not listen to this muppet.
Dare I say, one of the most annoying voices of all time? The music is ok/good in places, but that horrible voice just about ruins it.
Wasn't for me, knew the name but still expected it to like it more
I hated this for all the reasons I hate Leonard Cohen. The bluesy bits were listenable, and the one instrumental track might be enough to push this up to a 2.
ok. there are some greta moments with waits but there is only so mich gravel one can take. kat made me give it an extra star for being on key unlike other grating voiced singers could i write poetry to this? n
It's okay. Better than I remember, but I'm just not a Tom Waits fan. It's musically competent, but in the end just comes across as schtick to me. Two and one-half stars, with the added half-star because I do enjoy seeing Tom Waits when he makes cameo appearances in movies.
Hot take: Tom Waits' voice is unpleasant to listen to.
Not my cup of tea. OK music if you like blues with gravel-voiced vocals.
I can imagine Tom Waits spitting phlegm globs from his mouth at burglars trying to rob his house. Just some real chewy gooey ass shit. Brown as well. I don't know how I feel about Tom Waits singing genuine songs with a mellow piano in the background. I think his voice works better for the weird experimental stuff he did later on in his career. This just feels like listening to generic blues rock with a singer that's uncomfortably close to puking. Makes my tummy feel strange.
Really not a Tom Waits fan, not sure why he's on list list so many times. I have similar feelings about PJ Harvey, Elvis Costello and Nick Cave.
1.5 - This has gotta be my least favourite Waits album I've heard so far. It's kind of like Nighthawks at the Diner, but that blues-y influence is a killer, man. Oh well.
Some songs were cool. Others too slow. Will I listen to again: 5%
Probably the only man alive who doesn't really like Tom Waits
Makes me deed
another album that I don’t care for
Yeah gravel gravel, its ok but just not that exciting.
I like the more bonkers Tom Waits but some bits of this veered worryingly close to sounding like Springsteen so a mixed bag overall.
The opening track was great, but ends with a gradual fade out, (in terms of production values for an album, this grates me). The rest of the album seems to meander along. It's not bad, it's just, well, there.
I wasn’t ready for another Tom Waits album so soon.
Huhhuh, onpa kupliva ääni tällä kaverilla. Ikään kuin ois limaa kurkussa niin ettei pysty puhumaan huutamatta. En ehkä pysty koko levyä kuuntelemaan... Harmi sinällään koska musa itsessään on aika mukavaa.
Not for me. Rough vocals
non mi piace la voce...
That one Tom Waits album on here I thought was not too bad and this one I was back to not liking very much
Kinda ok. Bluesy but weird. Gruff.
I am a big fan of wounded dog voices, but even this was a little much for me. The closing track was a major standout; it was as if Tom Waits finally learned how to sing.
- sounds like he has a garbage disposal for a throat - Jersey Girl could be great if he didn’t sound like he was in pain -1.5
Its okay not my style
Average blues
46/100
Not the best album, but not terrible. Definately not something i like 2/5
I liked Jersey Girl but the vocal delivery does nothing for me.
2/5. Taustalla meni ihan ok. Paree ku se aiempi albumi
Ei jaksa
Why are there so many Tom Waits albums on this list? One was more than enough. This one was actually better than the others. It is between a 2 and a 3. It is not a three even if you round up.
Kuulostaa leffasoundtrackilta. Ei tee levystä silti kovin kiinnostavaa. Mitä nyt tahti ja tyyli välillä ylläriksi vähän vaihtuu (liian vähän tai harvoin).
Ollakseen niin kauhean rappiolla Waitsin suhtautuminen biisintekoon on häiritsevän skolastinen. Paria hyvää variaatiota, joo. Mutta oppi ei itsessään synnytä ideoita.
I didn't really like this. The instruments were nice, but I don't like his voice.
2 Not too fund of this one
The Music itself was nice..
I could not handle this man's voice. The disconnect between the tinkling, soft piano of Jersey Girl and Waits' dysarthic, gutteral barking made my head spin. It's a shame too because I thought that the music on the album was top notch. The only song on the album in which I think his voice worked well was Mr. Siegal. The bluesy-jazzy tune was the perfect setting for his unique voice.
Liked the esthetic of this album at first, but eventually he just faded into a worse version of Springsteen
2.5
Not again. Is this the 3rd time??
Plenty to unpack here. Speaking of packs - how many heaters did Tom rip through on this album?
A fantastic jazz album absolutely ruined by maybe the worst vocalist I've ever heard. And somehow the vocalists name is on the album and not any of the actual talent involved. Downtown could have been an amazing track and then this fucking asshole comes on and just shits all over himself
Not only does he look like 50 year old Austin Butler, he is tryna be Elvis in Saving All My Love for you. The lyrics to the song were also sus. Downtown was a great way to get back on track and bop your head. On the nickel sounds like the ending of every movie montage ever.... until Tom opened his mouth. Not much to take away from the album overall, don't think I'm adding it to my library
D+ Heartattack and Vine - bad voice, boring music, 1. In Shades - really generator? Really? 1. Saving All My Love For You - 3. Downtown - 2. Jersey Girl - 2. ‘Til the Money Runs Out - 1 On the Nickel - 1 Mr. Siegal - 1 Ruby’s Arms - 2 His voice is HORRENDOUS. I cannot stress that enough. HOWEVER, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tapping my feet throughout the album.
Has its moments, yet a little stodgy
Honestly, it's maudlin and not particularly musical.
Sounds like this guy smokes 10 packs a day
Thought I’d enjoy it way more thank did
I wish I could get into Tom’s voice but I just can’t. I like his music and songwriting, but the man sounds like a wet muppet being wrung out into a microphone. The slower, more crooning songs are pretty cool though.
Music good, voice bad
This was fine. The title track was good. His voice is certainly iconic. Fun to be exposed too but not something I'm gonna seek more of.
Meh.
Do not like voice whatsoever. Just not a fan
I want to like Tom Waits music. Yet, I don’t.
Not sure if I've ever heard such a dichotomy between instrumentation and vocals. That was...interesting. Favorite track: Jersey Girl
Sounds like music for 40 year old unhappily married men. Downtown's alright. The rest doesn't have enough going on, but that's jazz for you. I do appreciate On The Nickel is quite beautiful mind you. ONEPOINTFIVE
Untrustworthy. But there is some guitar work worth something.
Didn’t love this album at all.
Incredibly boring
Meh
The vocals kind of throw me off, it's like Waits is trying too hard, but the guitar is really nice. This sounds likes something you would hear at some type of underground club. Fave track(s): In Shades
His shtick is best enjoyed in small doses
Es bueno, pero las baladas no son lo mío. Aunque tiene muy buenas canciones.
Not for me. Did make me think of an alternate reality in which he did the soundtrack to Toy Story though.
Didnt do much for me
Not a huge fan of the gravelly voice. Not the easiest album to push through - especially on less jazzy, ballad-like songs like nickel over there and Rubys arms. Classic jazzy songs like Mr Siegal sounded pretty nice. Will not listen to this album again.
I like blues, but don't care for his voice. Some of the songs are too meandering for me. If I had to pick a track to listen to, it'd probably be Downtown.
Jeez I couldn’t stand this. I don’t like his voice and the music wasn’t enjoyable.
His voice is fantastic. I was mesmerized by it the whole album. The music I thought was fine nothing amazing but good. I like that he seems to utilize his unusual vocals to play around with the sound of songs
Yeah for as much as I like Tom Waits, I really don't. The persona often times outshines the music, but what kind of music do you expect that persona to create? Welp, the kind of music I just listened to. My first exposure to Tom Waits was Down by Law, the Jim Jarmusch movie about three jailbirds, but I really didn't notice him until I watched Short Cuts. It took me a bit to realize that TW (or more likely Robert Altman) built that character on an existing real-life career and not vice-versa. After Short-Cuts, from that point on, I 'liked' Tom Waits. The drunk nightclub piano player / limo driver was a liar, and freeloader who leaned a little to heavily on his girlfriend played by Lily Tomlin. Tom Waits was just the character / hero that my Slacker generation wanted. But now, listening to his music and embellished raspy voice, and also the fact that we're 30 years removed from slacker-times, he doesn't appeal to me much anymore. An though the song 'In Shades' is nice, I can no longer condone the music or conduct of the persona, this man, Tom Waits. Sorry bud, dry out and start practicing some mindfullness... it'll change your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GtfxvnnrbQ
There’s a lot of interesting stuff that Tom Waits does musically. A lot of diverse and classic American music influences inform his work. Interesting doesn’t necessarily make for something I want to listen to a whole album of. And then throw Waits’ incredibly exaggerated growl on top of it, and you lose me fast. I’d love to pay more attention to the styles he incorporates, but I can’t. He softens things up sometimes, but not nearly enough.
43/100: Ok who the fuck let Tom Waits sing like this. Who told him this sounds good? If you bought this or any of his other albums, you are complicit in this embarrassing pandering. Tom Waits sounds like Bruce Springsteen smoked 10 packs of cigarettes before holding an underwater concert. He sings like Louis Armstrong had his vocal cords slashed with razors. There’s no way this is how he actually sounds like. He has to be putting on some sort of an intentional show with his voice right? And if, so, I have one question. Why? Why the hell would he want to sound like this if he could sound like literally anything else. It’s really a shame, musically (and I’m exclusively referring to the instrumental portion of these tracks) this album has a lot of really nice songs. As soon as Tom Waits starts singing, though, the song is immediately ruined. Not only will I not listen to this again, I don’t know if I could physically handle it.
I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars but ultimately went to 2 because, while I liked the music well enough, Tom Waits' gravelly voice was so forced and affected and inconsistent in half the songs that it tilted into the ridiculous
What a terrible voice. I have no desire to ever hear Tom Waits "sing" again. The poor man needed a Ricola or something. Hard pass.
Instrumentally solid guitar, with some cool keyboard moments. Vocally Tom Waits is a mixture of Bruce Springsteen, Louis Armstrong, and Fat Albert and I didn’t enjoy that even a little.
Couldn't take the singer seriously, sounds like a southpark characters grandpa.
Tom Waits' style works for me sometimes. It did not work on this album. Best track: Heartattack and Vine
Not a fan.
How to turn growl knob down
Not a fan of his gravelly voice. Otherwise, somewhat interesting bluesy stuff
He really needs to clear his throat
Mostly hated this. There were one or two songs that almost had my foot tapping but it was nearly entirely awful. The gross cover didn't help.
Lyric and music are good, jazzy, bluesy, some folk. I can't get over his voice. It's not suited for singing.
Great songwriting. I’m sure the gravelly drawl appeals to certain crowd but I don’t love it.
It was OK, I liked the title track the most, but it does take some time to get used to his voice which isn't the easiest to listen to
I can understand the reverence that Tom Waits is held in, but unfortunately as much as I try I just can't get fully into his music. There are flashes on this album that I love, but as a whole piece of work it just doesn't hold me.
Strong, raspy vocals, organs, synthesizers, pianos, bluesy, they do go together well. I sometimes need to be in the mood to really enjoy the presentation of the art. Bring out the whiskey.