Reviews (page 7 of 9)
he's raspy
They say he's a genius. They are correct.
Angry Bruce Springsteen with a three pack a day habit has great lyrics, but his voice is an acquired taste, much like dylan. I’d listen to other people sing his songs, but maybe not a full album of his again
i know his voice is like the whole thing but i just didn't like the whole thing
this album was fine. i know tom waits' voice is a bit of an acquired taste but i don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other. the songs are like AU bruce springsteen and i do like the lyrics on several of them. the ballads are probably my favorite part of this album, though honestly all of the songs could be like two minutes shorter and i'd be fine with that. favorites: heartattack and vine, downtown, jersey girl, on the nickel
Phat first song. Proper skank face blues. Some great crooner tracks, some great ballads, this is Tom Waits in once of his peaks
I love a lot of Tom waits albums. I only like this one.
This was pretty good. Maybe not my favorite collection of Tom Waits songs, but still easy and fun to listen to with only a few tunes I didn't really care for.
Never heard this Tom Waits. I tend to like the later stuff, but this is pretty good. Sad somber Tom Waits is good. Non-sad Tom Waits with piano is a little boring. 3.25/5
I thought I owned this one, as I have about half to 2/3rds of Tom’s albums, but nope. It’s a good one, but I don’t know if it’s one of his especially revelatory releases. It has some strong compositions, but I would go with, say. swordfishtrombones or Nighthawks at the Diner first. B
One of my favourites.
The subject matters of his songs are a mess and so is Tom but he is a lovely mess. He has so many albums that I don't know and all his albums have very strong highlights. I'm glad I got to know this one.
Less experimental and avant-garde than his later albums. Rockier and more punchy than his earlier albums.
Obviously Waits is definitely an acquired taste and folks tend to either love or hate him. Like a fine bourbon, this improved on a second listening, and it was nice to hear him mixing it up with some jazz and blues. Notably I enjoyed the instrumental pieces more than the songs with his vocals, so there's that. I think we've received a few of his other albums already and they were superior and they include: Swordfishtrombones, Small Change and Rain Dogs. But if you're a fan this was a decent offering.
Some songs were cool. Others too slow. Will I listen to again: 5%
Renovou meu gosto pelo clima de blues com o vocal marcante prevalecendo.
Jersey Girl was the standout for me, but just can't get into Tom Waits.
This is very good and I don't even like Tom Waits.
Probably the only man alive who doesn't really like Tom Waits
Makes me deed
Tom Waits is an acquired taste. I’ve mostly acquired a taste for him, but in small doses. This is a great album, some truly beautiful songs. 4 stars.
Great Tom Waits album.
Really enjoyed this, first time listening and to be honest was wondering if this list needed another Tom Waits album, but this sits neatly between his early piano based albums and when he started being more experimental. This makes for a great but not perfect album of jazz blues and story telling.
Initial thoughts: I bet his throat hurts. Second track is a bop.
Nah fam.
Very unique style. Like a carnival version of blues/rock. The ballads REALLY don't work for his voice, but the songs that are undeniably Tom Waits style REALLY work.
La escena: un pianista con un vaso de whiskey y un puro, that's the cliché.
listened to again the gravel blues king
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 works is definitely better for having this album in it. It's not something I would listen to often but it's a fan sight better than a lot of the crud on this list. It makes me think of the comic book/movie Sin City.
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.
Tom Waits is a name that I know has been in the back of my mind for a while, but I don't think I really knew who he was or what he did. Even after seeing the album cover, I wasn't sure of what I was in for. I guess I would say don't judge a book by it's cover because I had no clue this was going to be the bluesy-folk rock album that is was. That being said, he delves into Bruce Springsteen territory here in my opinion, and aside from maybe one song on the album not much lives up to The Boss' work. Highlight: Jersey Girl Lowlight: In Shades
Moments of really classic Waits here. His voice is in full effect, which probably isn't everyone's cup of tea, and on the ballads he absolutely kills it. My Tom issue is the number of jazzy tracks that I'm afraid stray far too far into silliness for my taste. The centrepiece of the album is the magnificent Jersey Girl, which is so good that you only slightly wish it was the Boss' version.
At first, I wasn’t into the album. I’ve previously heard Tom Waits’ songs here and there and I knew what to expect with his singing voice. But as I got further into the album, I enjoyed his lyrics and the music. I was surprised by how much I ended up liking this album. I’d give it another listen.
Thoughts before listening: Tom Waits has always been one of those artists that I know I'm supposed to like, but I just cant really get into him. I think its mainly because of the growled vocals. I've listened to the classics like Rain Dogs, and I used to own Bone Machine, but a lot of his material just seemed inaccessible to me. That being said, I know this is one of his earlier recordings, and I don't think he was quite as harsh sounding back then. I am expecting jazzy blues with really good lyrics and a lot of attitude. Review: Yeah....definitely not as gravelly as he would become although that raspiness is definitely there. The music sounds like a late night jazz or blues club in New York City with a weathered, ragged voice singing over top...but at least he's singing here instead of the carnival barker approach he would bring to later releases. Tons of style coming through in both the music and Tom Waits' vocal delivery that I am enjoying. The best known songs on here are the title track and Jersey Girl both of which are great...I thought the latter was a Springsteen cover, but its actually the other way around as Tom Waits wrote the song. I also really like the ballads Saving All My Love For You and Ruby's Arms which shows off the range and emotion that Tom Waits possesses, despite his rough delivery. I am glad I got a chance to listen to this album, and I will likely seek out more of Tom Waits' material, especially the 70s albums.
You walk into a bar alone at night smelling of whiskey and cigarettes vibes.
So far this is better than I expected. I don’t drink enough to put this on regular rotation. But it’s clearly good, well written and uniquely performed. A full album of gravelly singing is a bit much for me. Instrumental bits are more successful. Too exhausted to fully listen to the last 3 songs.
Guttural blues ballads that sound like Waits is chain smoking whilst singing. A few songs off the album feel like they should be Christmas songs with their subtle jingling bells. But overall Tom Waits manages to put out a decent effort for his seventh album. Best: Heartattack And Vine Worst: On The Nickel
Tom Waits is a singular artist who brings beauty to everything. This album is fantastic, and though not my favorite is a critical one in his transition from Asylum to the Island. This is without question an excellent record.
Not my speed.
I'd rather stick my dick in a cheese grater! Sorry not a fan of Tom Waits.
Can’t stand the voice
Not nearly as interesting (or good imo) as the last Tom Waits, but this one might be more palatable. Love 'Jersey Girl' - and check out Bruce Springsteen's version if you haven't so good.
I wasn’t ready for another Tom Waits album so soon.
Learning that the sound of Tom Waits voice is not for me. I did enjoy the blusey parts when he wasn’t singing.
disgusting voice, horrific sound... kurkku sahattu auki ja poika yrittää laulaa... respektiä.. hyvää ääntä.. biisit itsessään ovat tylsiä ja jättävät pahan mielen...sillä potentiaali uskomaton...Ep=mgh-esque albumi. jos instrumentointi yhtä vitun iljettävä märkä kun vokalisti, olisi 5/5 helposti. mutta liian paljon kuulostaa garagebänd soittimilta. onko niin vaikeaa äänittää luolassa epävireisillä soittimilla... heartattack and vine
Not as overtly theatrical as Frank's Wild Years and not as accomplished musically as Rain Dogs but still decent and fully Waitsian. "Jersey Girl" is an all-time song. Strings get a bit much, "Ruby's Eyes" is mawkish, and the roughed-up edges are excessively frayed, too intentionally Bukowskian (if effective and a credible simulation). Still one would rather listen to a middling from Waits than the best of what approximately two-thirds of the other artists on this list can deliver.
nice album
Surprisingly good but not exactly my taste
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.
This wasn't really wasn't my favorite album. I can't say I am ever in the mood for this type of music. I can understand why people like it though. Technically, a good album, with good instrumentals and distinctive vocals, but certainly not my type of music. I listened to the entire record, but probably will never do it again.
#43. What is this? No, that wasn't a rhetorical question. Could someone please explain to me what in the actual fuck is this? This isn't real music, right? Nelson Mandela used some AI this morning to make this and subject me to it as a social experiment, right? I've heard some terrible music in my day, and I've listened to a few terrible albums on this playlist even [looking at you, Elvis Costello]. But I have never even imagined anything in the same realm of terribleness as whatever the fuck this was. It makes me think that maybe I judged a few previous albums too harshly, because this deserves a special place on its own special one star shelf of shame. I refuse to accept this is even real music and not some joke someone is playing on me. 0/5: absolutely fucking unacceptable Song added to playlist: In Shades I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Take a wallow in Tom's guttaral world, and be amazed at his ability to pull beauty from the depths of his soul. Recommended.
Instrumentals are great, very bluesy. Dudes voice sucks tho
Had a good bluesy sound with strong vocals, without being too experimental
strong dislike
Sounds like a dive bar, on a Sunday morning. I’m talking 2am Sunday, with a glass of scotch and a cigar. With conversation flirting with confrontation and exposure of deep feelings. You can image Tom singing to you in the corner. It is then when you recognize his presence.
Whispering from one's deathbed is not my idea of good listen. Confusing that there needs to be multiple albums from him on this list.
This sucked so bad I couldn’t even finish
Ugh. On The Nickel was almost bearable.
I listened to it all and hated every bit. Why is this man considered great? If it's the lyrics, I can't even understand half of them. Musicianship is solid, but doesn't make up for the rest. Or is he a vampire who has hypnotized people into thinking his music is good?
Not for me. Rough vocals
non mi piace la voce...
It smells of alcohol and cigarettes
That one Tom Waits album on here I thought was not too bad and this one I was back to not liking very much
This little piano gremlin has done it again
Kinda ok. Bluesy but weird. Gruff.
Blues, folk de Tom Waits. Un 4.
Un poco voceón y con voz chamuscada.
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.
You'd be hard pressed to find another artist that puts so much CHARACTER in their songs. Tom Waits, while his vocal delivery can be off-putting for some, puts more feeling into his each note than most others can muster in entire albums. His wheelhouse seems to be both New Orleans-style dreary blues and schmaltzy ballads, both of which can be found in spades on Heart Attack and Vine. But he brings such a uniqueness to them that I find them endlessly interesting. I expect to revisit this album again soon to uncover more layers of the onion.
A classic of his pre Kathleen Brennan years. The ballads are heart breakers. Tight playing and composing but with some dirt.
I did not enjoy this. I do not like the vocals.
It's Tom Waits. You can't give him a 3. It's disrespect. The album was really good. So I guess everything is a 4.
The music isn’t quite as on point as his other work, while his lyrics are descriptive and creative as always. More specifically, the music feels more like bar blues than the Tom Waits I’ve heard (this is my first album from him). He’s an excellent songwriter, though; ‘Don’t you know there ain’t no devil, there’s just God when he’s drunk’ specifically just really hits hard. Great lyrics, ok music.
I've been putting off Tom Waits for 20+ years, thinking he's probably great but too inaccessible for me with that voice. I wasn't too far off with this album, but can't deny many of these songs are beautiful. Still, that singing... it just gets a little too over the top at times and sounds almost like Randy Newman. But I'm intrigued and will listen to him more!
I really liked this. Yes, his voice is weird but it works. Just wish it was easier to hear the lyrics. I’m interested to hear more of his stuff now
Very deep and emotional and what Tom waits is all about. Generally, I like atom Waits, but not something I could listen to all the time. This generator picked some Tom Waits on the right day for me and it was a very pleasant surprise. Just so happens I was prescribed some heavy painkillers this morning and about all I really had the energy for was sitting here listening to Tom Waits. I might give this album one less star other days. But today was the right day.
- audibly said "what is this" when he started singing - Loved all the parts where his voice was not in it, bluesy vibes - Feel for the guy tho, these lyrics are very sad - 1.5
- 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
too rough
gritty, urban noir, dark city 80's vibes
3.5
I'm only a little familiar with some of Waits' later work. Evidently this was his last album before he reinvented his style and I definitely enjoy the more eclectic sound that he'd evolve later. The music has a few highlights but others are forgettable. Lyrically, I can see the significance of his songwriting. As a reviewer said, Tom Waits can see as much beauty in the gutter as others can see in the Garden of Eden.
Sometimes Tom actually sound like he's in pain while singing. Not like emotional pain but that singing actually hurts. Some interesting tunes toward the beginning. Not bad but his "singing while finishing up on the toilet" sound still doesn't appeal to me
Not as fun as Swordfishtrombones, which I really enjoyed, but still worth a listen just for “Ruby’s Arms”, which I loved.
Nice for background
Man took his morning voice and made an album with it
Its okay not my style
Whilst not the greatest Tom Waits album, this record defines the end of Waits' first phase, that of a singer-songwriter channelling the energy of every dive bar in the US in a piano and guitar driven Cab Calloway-esque explosion. It's not the best example of that early sound by any means, but it's still excellent and still worth anyone's time. As someone else so wonderfully said, Tom Waits finds more beauty in the gutter than most could find in the Garden of Eden.
Sounds like if a werewolf in a kids movie had their own song. As a joke though because it’s so hard to take these vocals seriously with his 1,000-packs-of-cigarettes-a-day voice. It works best when he sings of moe deplorable activities with harsher instrumentals. Lyrics are good, he is a great poet, if you can understand them. Production leaves something to be desired, but instrumentation, arrangements, and structure are all good. The highs here are high, but the lows here are low. Not the average ‘average’ rating. 3/5
Usually can only take a few Waits songs before turning him off. Made it through this album without switching to something else. Solid 3.
What a terrible voice!
"Heartattack and Vine" is the seventh studio album by American musician, composer and songwriter Tom Waits. It was also his final album with the record label Asylum. Some critics considered this his transitional album pivoting away from more jazzier arrangements towards a weirder and wilder mode. A buzzed-out electric guitar opens "Heartattack and Vine." Slow drums. A horn at times giving a jazzy vibe. Waits howling. Seeking what makes you feel good, no matter the consequence. "Jersey Girl" is a song Waits wrote for future wife, a simple love song. Slow. Melodic guitar. The drum top hat. Strings and bells. The Waits' voice meter is somewhere between a howl and singing. A emotional, cathartic end to the song. Strings and piano open "On the Nickel." This is a ballad with Waits in singing mode. Great building in intensity. It's about LA, specifically the homeless in LA. Waits takes the persona of gangster Bugsy Siegal in "Mr. Siegal." He comes in loud and aggressive. This is blues with the piano, drums and guitar. The album closes with the melancholy and sentimental "Ruby's Arms." Intro horns and strings fade into piano and Waits whispering. He's saying goodbye to a lover before the sun comes up. Great song. I've always found Tom Waits' albums entertaining and this falls in that category too. Compelling story telling. I'd say more straight-forward songs; I didn't find any weird or wild ones. There's jazz, blues, rock and some outstanding ballads. I know some people find Waits' voice very annoying. I've always found it fascinating almost another instrument. Anyway, if you're a Tom Waits' fan , you're sure to like this.
Fajna ostatnia, poza tym nie pamiętam nic. Głos Toma Waitsa średnio mi się podoba
Grimy and lived-in in the best possible way. Waits has seen some shit.
- Never really listened to Tom Waits before so I'm pretty excited - "Downtown" is pretty good - Not a bad album, but not exactly my preferred type of rock. I can certainly see that he is a talented artist and why people enjoy his music.
Album #38 I like Tom Waits. I don't know if I have an affinity towards the grimey underside of society that he romances, or if I just appreciate his romancing of the topic. He's not for everyone, and I have to admit that I can usually only handle one album of his at a time - even if I really like the Frank's Wild Years trilogy. This album entertained me, but it did not "wow" me like I was hoping. 3*
DROSS
Tom Waits #3, here we go As someone who got hooked on this artist through the 1-2 punch of Swordfishtrombones & Rain Dogs, I'm interested to see how his earlier stuff compares Interestingly, while less experimental and often prettier than those albums, I had a harder time engaging with this one. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still much I liked between the bluesy numbers like “Til the Money Runs Out”, & the saccharine arrangements, eg “Ruby’s Arms”. Maybe my ADHD brain needs the kalimbas, pump organs, pots and pans of Rain Dogs, to give Waits’s world my undivided attention. 3.5 Who knows, maybe in 5-10 years this’ll be my favourite album by him HL: title track, "Jersey Girl", "On the Nickel", "Ruby's Arms" September 29, 2023
Easiest 5 stars ever.
3.7 - Perhaps one of Waits’ more “serious” recordings, in which songs waiver between understated blues (title track) and Disney-esque piano ballads (“Saving All My Love For You”). I prefer the former to the latter. Standout: “‘Til the Money Runs Out.”
Não gostei. Parece que ele tá bêbado.
Average blues
Pont d'unió entre els primers discos de rock terrós i tabernari de Waits i la seva maduresa trobada en uns sons i textures que van fer d'ell una rara avis tan original com influent. Aquí, temes com 'On the Nickel', 'Ruby's Arms' o 'Saving All My Love For You' recorden les balades torturades dels seus treballs inicials. Però el tema que dona títol, 'Downtown' o ''Til The Money Runs Out' ja prefiguren el Waits que havia de nèixer amb el seu següent treball d'estudi, 'Swordfishtrombones', pocs anys després. Per sobre de totes, destaca 'Jersey Girl', una de les seves millors cançons
I need to listen to it a few more times. But I believe this is the best awaits album I have listened to. There are less of the piano and string driven ballads. While he does those well, it’s not my cup of tea. I like the more jazzy/bluesy uptempo and ragged songs on here.
Cormoran Strike may not be the most well known protagonist J.K. Rowling has created, but he's certainly one of the most well written I've ever read. A huge, one-legged private detective, he has certainly seen a lot in his life, yet remains deeply empathetic underneath his tough exterior. Despite being as different from him as you could possibly get, I am fully able to inhabit his point of view when reading it. What has any of this got to do with Tom Waits? Well, for whatever reason, J.K. Rowling decided to make him Strike's favourite artist. Naturally, when generated his album today, this piqued my interest. But after listening to "Heartattack and Vine," I can confidently say that I wish she'd picked anyone else. I should add that I had had some other previous exposure to Tom Waits, when I was studying towards a Bachelor of Music. We looked at him in one of my lectures, but literally all I remembered was the name, and I think I was even confusing him with Nick Cave, who we also looked at in the same uni course. However, my first association was with Strike. Onto the music now... or should I say, the noise. I apologise to Waits as a songwriter for my one star rating. His songs are well written, and probably deserve better. But his voice—or probably more accurately, the way he sings—made this album unlistenable. Why on Earth does he feel the need to apply so much distortion, all the time? Reading a bunch of other reviews on this site, saying he was putting on an act, suddenly brought the uni lecture on him all back. It was all about how he was putting on an act. And that might be why he's unlistenable. The distortion isn't natural—he's putting it on. There are moments when he drops it, and you hear that he actually has quite a nice voice underneath it all. Why he feels the need to ruin his voice to fit some ridiculous persona is beyond me. On the positive side, he's unintentionally shown the whole world how important it is to be yourself. Hearing that there are several more Tom Waits albums on this list is honestly such a letdown. I have to listen to several more albums of this voice??? I made it through this one, but I'm going to have to be really brave to make it through any more. Unfortunately, and though I tried, I couldn't put myself in Cormoran Strike's shoes while listening to this one. Highlights: the instrumental track
Not my usual vibe, but really interesting. Some of the upbeat ones are really fun. Really do enjoy his softer/slower style, maybe more than the upbeat/grittier songs. Ruby's Arms is the standout for me. If I had to attempt to describe this album to someone I'd say it was a rougher and gruffer Van Morrison with a splash of The Pogues' Shane McGowan. I need to see if Tom Waits has anything punkier to listen to!
He had a unique voice and talent. Always sardonic with a sly wink.
Grumbling and grunting his way through the nine tracks Waits is doing…something. Whatever that is is jazzy and bluesy and cool af. Like dinner music for the manic brained. This is a wholly fascinating record. Well produced and expertly performed.
4.5. Great early Waits. Near flawless album.
67 / 100 Titular opening track was great. But sadly it sets expectations too high as the rest of the tracklist fails to quite reach that level of quality again
His voice feels too forced. Otherwise I would have really liked it
Was looking forward to this and thought it'd be my sort of thing, but didn't get anything from it at all. Possibly need to give it another chance when I'm less distracted.
This might be Tom Waits's best album. His bluesy ballads are pure atmosphere and describe people and their many sufferings. It is underlaid with some music that could be great background music for a party but in this constellation forms a bond with its singer.
I’ve always hated TW so my heart sank at this one. Afraid to report, album is as boring as the songs I’ve been forced to listen to for years.
46/100
Tom is so sad
Not the best album, but not terrible. Definately not something i like 2/5
Jeg likte dette ordentlig godt!!
7/10, prošle godine na jesen sam imao turneju njegovim albumima. nešto predobro, pogotovo ako pogodiš vrijeme slušanja. tom je legenda.
great throughout, the strings get me every time, gets a star for “you know there ain’t no devil there’s just God when he’s drunk”
Those drunken lullabies are not what i like to hear, but no hard feelings too
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
I think this album review is a victim of comparison because I enjoyed Rain Dogs more, but I still really liked it.
I liked the album. He has a unique voice.
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 just love him
Still cant do it
I just cannot get past his voice, I do appreciate the instruments but life is too short to listen to Bob Dylan’s son sing with razor blades in his windpipe.
I didn't really like this. The instruments were nice, but I don't like his voice.
Great album, Tom Waits Wrote Jersey Girl, Springsteen performs it😁
Low 4 because when wearing headphones it sounds like he is spitting in your ear. At the same time it also sounds like someone really enjoyed using sandpaper to make his throat rough.
I didn't like the first two songs, but then the album just got better and better.
Tom Waits' voice is definitely an acquired taste. And he's only 30-odd when this was made. Was he born sounding like a veteran chain smoker? Several enjoyable songs on here - Jersey Girl the standout.
this was such a struggle to get through - i thought about turning it off so many times but powered through anyway. i kinda wish i had stopped listening, because there really was nothing for me in this album. instrumentally it's just ok. vocally i hate it so much. his voice is so so so so so awful. sorry. and the album cover pisses me off. i don't like his expression.
2 Not too fund of this one
Good
The Music itself was nice..
Witty lyrics are the highlight of Heartattack And Vine, an album I’d classify as more indigo than blues. Tom Waits cuts to the chase in the opening title track with lines like “Don’t you know there ain’t no devil / There’s just God when he’s drunk.” The record proceeds to sample the entire emotional spectrum through a variety of settings, from the Mexican whorehouse in “Mr. Siegal” to the dark and desolate streets in “On The Nickel” to the bottom of a liquor bottle in “Til The Money Runs Out.” In addition to the lyrics, the album cover is worth a deeper look. From the misspelled song titles to the July 4th time stamp to the variety of US cities scattered around the front page, surely only Waits himself has any idea what’s behind all this madness. Tom Waits sounds like Randy Newman with a frog stuck in his throat, and while I don’t hate the gravelly voice, I can’t help but think it’s an acquired taste. Heartattack And Vine may not have the tempo to make me dance with women three times my age, but if this cat strolled into the Big Easy and gave us his best, his tip jar may just see a Lincoln or two courtesy of yours truly and my empty Red Stripe.
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
This is a classic Tom Waits album, probably one of his most accessible and definitely one of my favorites. It has all the touches I enjoy hearing in his music, without some of the abrasiveness that you find in his later works. This is the album I would probably give to a new listener of Waits, rather than throwing them straight into the more adventurous stuff. The album has a sultry, bluesy kind of sound, augmented with some really lovely piano and string arrangements. The lyrics are full of vivid, often gritty imagery, populated with the colorful miscreants and wandering souls we see in a lot of Waits' songs. But there are also some really lovely, heartfelt moments as well, with Waits' vocal bringing in a lot of vulnerability and pathos. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Jersey Girl, Heartattack and Vine, Ruby's Arms, Til the Money Runs Out, On the Nickel, Mr. Siegal, Downtown, Saving All My Love for You, In Shades
Big hit, love the title song, great for driving
I don't know this album well, but I do love Tom Waits and only Tom Waits does Tom Waits well, so this'll probably be at least 4 stars for me.
For the most part I'm a sucker for Waits' downtrodden balladeering, but I'm rather taken by the rather straightforward (by his standards) rhythm 'n' blooz on this album. I own a lot of Waits albums and I can't recall a slinkier cut than 'Downtown' from his catalogue. Not my favourite joint but it's still a solid four star album, because Tom Waits doesn't release bad music.
Playing catch up here. Mostly enjoyed this one, especially the ballads. Agree that “Ruby’s Arms” was a terrific closer. I could do with a whole album’s worth of similar songs to that one. Enjoyed “Jersey Girl,” too. The song, not the movie. Did I even see the movie? Even if I didn’t, it’s no Chasing Amy.
Nothing I love better than listening to a man gargle phlegm while signing songs that are just layered in filth. You couldn’t pay me to listen to Tom Waits again.
2.5
Really a 3.5 but I feel good to round it up. I knew a lot about Tom Waits coming in; intensely scrappy voice, beautiful lyrics, gorgeous piano arrangements. This album did nothing to change my opinion of him, but I liked hearing more of his style. Album cover is 10/10.
Fine
Tom Waits has such a characteristic voice that works well for some things and less for others. This album is a mix of the above. While the songs themselves are rather nice, his voice does not suit a lot of them. Your enjoyment of this album will depend entirely on how you feel about Waits' gritty mumbling voice.
Boy sound like he needa clear his froat. Only thing I like about Tom Waits is Health Ledger mimicking his whole style for Joker. Look up Tom Waits interview from 1979.
King krule before king krule. And much like king krule, I couldn’t really dig this.
Got a late appreciation of this guy after 'Down in the Hole' themed 'The Wire'.
Alright and indifferent until Ruby's Arms
On first listen, I’m inching towards “this is bullshit”, especially with an early organ-blues lawyer guitar jam that had me looking angrily towards the door in case Mel Gibson staggered in with mullet and bigotry, but ‘Jersey Girl’ is a great song. ‘On the Nickel’ too, perhaps. Distrust of sentiment and nostalgia in art is inculcated in me, as is a demand that people be authentic to themselves, but I have decided this is nonsense and people can pretend to be whoever they want to be so long as they commit. Just not sure Waits commits enough, and the music itself is unremarkable, bringing to mind a sage’s words: “jazz is badz”.
Chronologically, the last Tom Waits album I own. Right on the precipice before he chose atmosphere over tunes, there's plenty to love here although you can feel the van Vliet starting to poke through.
Not again. Is this the 3rd time??
Jersey Girl: Banger On the Nickel: Another Banger You know, at first I was meh, but now I'm like yeh.
Nobody creates a story through music quite like Waits does. You can smell the stale beers and cigarette smoke. The album opener is a doozy, nothing else on here is quite as good, Waits jokes and one liners curiously absent. There are other Waits albums I lean towards over this.
This is pretty amazing. I only knew the newer stuff starting with Mule Variations. I really like this and am going to add this to the rotation.
So forgettable: I'm not going to have much to say for this one bc it was just plain mid. I didn't hear anything that I was like "OML IT'S GOOD" or anything utter shit. Purely just meh
Certainly one of the most listenable Tom Waits adventures.
Not his best album, but early Tom Waits is understated gold.
It was alright. It definitely had its gems, but overall I didn't feel like the album was particularly inspired. Favorite song: Mr. Siegel.
I'll just repeat what I wrote about the other two Tom Waits albums we've had: It sounds like a Disney movie gruffian rambling on and on with light jazz accompaniment. It was a bit better than the last TW album we had just two weeks ago. But definitely not great and hoping this is the last one.
Ce n'est pas tellement mon genre de musique ce blues avec la voix très rauque qui fait un peu stéréotypé road house. Mais c'est définitivement supérieur à tout ce que j'ai entendu dans ce style. Waits a vraiment une bonne plume et un côté unique à son style. 7/10
You see, Tom, you can make a good album when you aren't taking the piss.
What can I say about this album.. It's Tom Waits at his best, which is in fact his whole career. Very specific voice and style, but on the top of it an intoxicating blues and jazz beats in the background, making it a really unique experience. Some of the songs are really downtempo to the max, like "Ruby's Arms", but other than that all the tracks are actually great. Listening session for heartbroken.
Great bluesy instrumentals and the tone - while harsh and abrasive - feels more relatable than it used to. Maybe I’m getting old and cynical.
Jazzy, growly, I can hear Waits moving towards Bone Machine in this album. Big fan
Plenty to unpack here. Speaking of packs - how many heaters did Tom rip through on this album?
Although I am not sure if I'll listen to this album again, I have a big soft spot for Tom Waits and his gravelly voice and have yet to truly dislike anything I've heard from him. 3.5/5, rounded up to 4/5.
Who did this guy bribe to get 4 albums and counting on this list?
It's really about his voice and singing style. I happen to like it.
The instrumentation is so good, the groove is so nice, the kind of thing worth listening to, even if Tom Waits interrupts it, and poorly at that. Tom Waits is the villain in 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
tom waits er med i 7 psychopath , 4.5
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
I say a lot of things here that exaggerate my actual emotions to either invoke a reaction or justify a poor review towards a mediocre album, but I don't think I've ever felt so much discomfort and disgust while listening to music. There was so much fluid and non-solid sensation violating my earballs that I literally dry-heaved during breakfast. For reference, vocal fry is my biggest pet peeve of all time, so while some might appreciate Waits' guttural, gravelly, gross voice, it makes me want to throw myself off the top floor of the library. Just refer to the album, he looks like a wet-mouthed, stinky iPad baby who's going to give me thirty different types of diseases when he opens his mouth. Jesus I'm still shuddering.
This is what my girlfriend will sound like in 20 years once the drunk cigs finally catch up to her.
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
Album 29 of 1001 Tom Waits - Heartattack And Vine Favorite Track : Heartattack and Vine Honarable Mention : In Shades, Downtown, Jersey Girl, On the Nickel Rating : 5 / 5 I gave a little cheer when I saw this was my album for the day. Tom Waits is easily in the Top 5 of my favorite artists of all times. Enjoyable from the first rack to the last. It just flows and leaves you wanting more. If you aren't familiar with him...if he has one of those faces that you recognize but you're just not sure from where... take a few and give him a listen. I guarantee that you've heard plenty of his songs being done by others. He is an American original. Get to know him. Can't stress that enough.
Honestly, it's maudlin and not particularly musical.
I made it halfway through the album just didn’t like the voice at all.
I think I may have one of this guys songs saved. Very bluesy! I like it! Just turned up the volume a bit, this is some good blues!! He's got a great gravely voice (for a white boy :P) Man this was actually a really good album. I saved not 1 not 2 but 3 songs from it!! 5 stars.
Tom Waits peut revenir tant qu'il veut, nous l'attendons toujours avec ce qui est désormais appelé le "plafond des trois étoiles". Peu importe la qualité de la performance, des textes, des instruments, le style globalement naze de Tom Waits est un tel handicap qu'il est pour lui inenvisageable de viser plus haut.
Une seule question est sur toutes les lèvres concernant l'illustre Tom Waits: pourquoi?
Fantastic record, the one just before he really takes a turn! Nice mix of jazzy lounge music here it's a nice way to cap off his early years
3.5 stars. Experimental jazzy blues. Liked his deep almost ominous voice. Slow and sometimes dark but overall enjoyed this.
Waits doesn’t necessarily make it easy to get into his stuff. I had to give this one a couple runs thru to really appreciate it. He really is a great songwriter with a unique delivery, I especially liked the title track, Downtown and on the Nickel. The cover of Springsteen’s Jersey Girl was also great. 4 stars
I don't get why tom waits/captain beef are all over this list
My first listen to this album (I'm more familiar with the later initial run of post-Asylum albums). I did not care for the opening 3 tracks, nor the strings that feel bolted on to some of the songs, nor 'Jersey Girl' (which sounds so much like a Springsteen song that the latter ended up covering it live). But at its best - 'Downtown', ''Til the Money Runs Out' - it transcends the bar room blues and hooker references. Worth noting that I would have hated this when it came out in 1980 (if I'd heard it).
Sounds like this guy smokes 10 packs a day
Thought I’d enjoy it way more thank did
My opinion on Tom hasn't changed too much since we had a record of his last week. While it's not really for me, I won't turn away from anyone making a case for him. Jersey Girl is a great song that forgives some of the less-than-stellar tracks here.
The barking bard, with his rock tumbler voice and a head full of sleaze, leads us on a tour of dank alleyways, hazy cabarets, and bars where everybody knows your game.
Le blues est une valeur sûre, la voix de Waits toujours aussi prenante, mais dans l'ensemble me semble moins inventif.
Great, love Tom waits
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.
This man sounds like he is going to imminently vomit and I can't deal with it. Tom's voice is actively unpleasant to listen to so it gets a 1.
My man
My boy!!! This isn’t my favourite album of his but the title track is amazing and Jersey Girl and Ruby’s Arms are two of his most gorgeous ballads. Hoping to see more of Tom soon!
i liked jersey girl a lot.
I honestly don't get the Tom Waits hype. Some cool songs here and there, and he's a fun presence in general, but I cannot listen to a whole album of this. I feel so uncool for this opinion.
Music good, voice bad
Scratches a really particular musical itch. Probably couldn’t listen to it all the time or even every day, but hearing it once in a while would make me happy
Liked the voice, but the actual songs were fine. Would listen again
Bra!
i love it when he doesnt sing!
This was honestly insulting. Every thing about this album was awful. His voice was completely intolerable and just so so bad. Biiiiig thumbs down.
I particularly enjoy how at the beginning of the first track they neglected to edit out the parts where it sounds like he's on the toilet. goddammit. fking THREE albums of this guy thus far. hardest of nopes. 2/10 1 star.
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.
Oh man this sucked so hard. I hated every minute
This was a pleasant surprise, I can see the talent and uniqueness of Tom's voice and music.
At the risk of writing a repetitive introduction when thinking back to previous reviews, today we have an artists whose name is vaguely familiar, yet I’m not sure I’ve heard any of his music. The album cover leads me to expect something that sounds like The Cure, so I’m looking forward to listening. Songs I already knew: None Favourites: Jersey Girl, On The Nickel If there was ever a perfect example of not judging a book by its cover, this would be a top contender. I certainly wasn’t expecting a gritty, soulful baritone that could be compared to somebody like Louis Armstrong. The music was very good - I especially enjoyed the use of the electric piano. The opening track drew me in, and fascinated me enough to want to stick around for the rest, and I’m glad that I did. Give it a try.
Nette abgefuckte Stimme, 4/5
A solid 4 star album. Lots of nice bluesy/jazz songs. I would definitely recommend to give this album a listen
Interesting. Not sure if I'll listen again, but didn't dislike it.
Meh.
Do not like voice whatsoever. Just not a fan
While I like and appreciate Tom Waits in general, I have to remain consistent in my review system on the generator. I am principally opposed to having multiple albums by the same artist on a list such as this, especially when the artist does not undergo significant stylistic changes between albums. Of course, there are some artists who are worthy of more than one inclusion, and Mr. Waits could certainly fall into that category as well, but 5 albums from the man is entirely too much. This is one of the five works that should have been cut. It's not a bad album per se, but his shtick of posturing as a drunken slob is over done and gets tired by the middle part of the album. Speaking of shticks and posturing, I recommend replacing this album with At Home With Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who is a magnificent blues singer, and much like Tom Waits has a penchant for portraying himself as an over-the-top dramatic degenerate. Screamin' Jay also has an excellent cover of the title song from here, but being Tom's senior by several decades, he is also clearly influential to the former. Sorry Tom, one skull out of five. 💀
Waits' classic dank New Orleans gumbo voice and mournful lyrics with some easy listening ballad backdrops. sentimental and theatrical. the faster trackers here kinda remind me of the old PC game 'The Neverhood'. 3.75/5
When you're so far gone in the liquor you think even the rain is a beverage. Anyway, it doesn't take much imagination to understand the implications of the album title, an obvious reference to Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, the very heart of the rise of cinema and all its attendant lures into the corruption of innocence. This album is certainly more blues guitar-driven that his six previous recordings, bringing with it even sexier grit (that seems to be obsessed with prostitutes). Like pretty much all his other music, these songs are snapshots into the lives of seedy people who live in the quiet, dark, lonely hours between the closing of the bar and the opening of the circus. This is the final Asylum record, and Waits was contractually-obligated to write it since he owed the label seven albums. You might know Springsteen's cover of Waits' "Jersey Girl"... and I can't help but wonder if the "sha la la la la la las" are indicative of Waits' fatigue with his label.
I want to like Tom Waits music. Yet, I don’t.
A bit surprising to see this album included. It is just a very good early 80s album by Tom Waits from the period before Swordfishtrombones - Rain Dogs - Frank's Wild Years, which should all three be on this list. In any case, this is a pretty straightforward album that contains several classic songs, while all the other songs are good-very good: 4 stars overall.
Wasn't really in the mood for this, but it sounded pretty good.
Somewhat uneven but four stars are secured by such wonderful songs as Jersey Girl and Ruby's Arms.
Well that was a Tom Waits album! Listening to Heartattack and Vine really warmed me. Lyrically it was up there with Leonard Cohen and Dylan. True storytelling pictures in my head kind of songwriting.
Sounds like he smoked a whole pack of cigs in one sitting
Great stuff. I've always wanted to delve into Waits' catalog and was not disappointed with this first record. Tom's voice is definitely not for everyone but the story telling and the greasy, bluesy, soulful, and beautifully melancholy delivery all over this album is just phenomenal. Didn't realize that he wrote Jersey Girl and I think this is the better version.
I never thought I knew who Tom Waits was until today. After some research, I realized I know the song "A Little Drop of Poison" from the movie Shrek 2. That song isn't on this record, but it is phenomenal! This record is gold from front to back. Tom's voice is super gravelly, and rough, but it is beautiful in its own right. The best way I can describe his voice is if Louis Armstrong and Lemmy Kilmister had a baby who got really into blues rock, that would be Tom. This album has songs that are straight blues rock, as well as some that could almost be considered lounge music, and some folky ones. This is a record that immediately had me tapping my foot and bobbing my head. Tom is a hell of a poet! Some examples of his lyrics include: From the song Mr. Siegal: How do the angels get to sleep When the devil leaves his porch light on From the song Heartattack and Vine: Don't you know there ain't no Devil, That's just God when he's drunk I never realized the song Jersey Girl was Tom's. I always assumed it was Bruce Springsteen's. Tom's original version is amazing!! Overall, a phenomenal record!! This is why I love this generator! I never would have found this gem otherwise. I will definately be putting this album into regular rotation. Favourite songs: Mr. Siegal, Heartattack and Vine, 'Til the Money Runs Out, Downtown, Jersey Girl, On the Nickel, Ruby's Arms, Saving All My Love For You, In Shades Least favourite songs: None. This album is phenomenal. Not a dud in the lot. 5/5
Incredible. Highlights include Jersey Girl and Ruby's Arms. A sweet and sensitive album that has carnival notes but doesn't go to far. Actually a very approachable listen for Tom Waits. Didn't even know this album existed, very much enjoyed it.
the incomparable Tom Waits. this album is slower and more atmospheric than the others I know. and the ealrier the album, the less gravel in his voice. some songs are a shambles and yet there is beauty soul and execution in Jersey Girl, which is so Springsteen, and then I remembered he does a cover... (a fun and obscure crossover I hadn't realised), in the ends it's a LUMPY . gems, rough stones, and inexplicable flat spots.
Pretty good - certainly very listenable. But not reach-for-it good.
I saw Tom Waits at Sydney’s State Theatre in May 1979, the year before this album was released. I went with my dear friend, Jackie. Waits was supported by local legend Mark Gillespie, whose gear was delayed by a vehicle breakdown, delaying Tom’s set by around 90 minutes, giving Jackie & I the opportunity to retreat to Hyde Park & get even more stoned than we already were. Subsequently, this was one of the most memorable concerts I ever attended. Waits was great, with just his piano, a double bass, drums & a horn player. It’s always been a romantic notion of mine that this album was born on that world tour.I can find no confirmation on the net, but I’m sure I heard back then that he wrote On The Nickel in Glebe. The album opens with the title track - pure 70’s Waits, when he still wrote tunes. There’s In Shades, a rare & wonderful instrumental from this period & Mr Siegal, which features terrific New Orleans piano. And each side of the record ends with great Waits ballads - Jersey Girl & Ruby’s Arms. For me, this is the last truly great album by Tom Waits. After that, experiments took over from melodies.
When I was a young man, with young friends, all prone to heartbreak and relationship drama, we had a sort of ritual. When one of us went through a nasty split (temporary or permanent), we'd chip in to buy a bottle of Jameson's, then then stay up until 3am to drink, commiserate, and play Tom Waits records. Including this album. I really enjoy the mixture of Beefheart-style blues growling and Bukowski-inspired ballads. It's the ballads that really stand out as classics: Jersey Girl (better known in the Springsteen version, perhaps), On The Nickel and Ruby's Arms are all beautiful songs, even when filtered through Wait's increasingly graveled voice.
This one replaced Rain Dogs as my favorite Tom Waits album!
p467. 1980. 5 stars A voice like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I happen to love it. Great songs, great lyrics, great production, and he keeps it short and on point. What's not to like?
3.5
cool blues, listen again to see if something stands out.
I love Tom
At this point he still has that jazzy/bluesy singer songwriter vibe. Maybe with a bit of a sense of the transition to come. Enjoyed overall. Maybe a bit too ballady in parts.
Bluesy and such a weird vocal choice. It was good I guess.
Fucking awful voice. Holy shit I do not think I have heard a worse voice.
Not my favorite Waits album
Possibly the most enjoyable Waits album so far with groovy blues and trademark ballads. Still ridiculously quirky, but without the weird instrumentation and noises that appear later in the 1980s.
Not sure if I've ever heard such a dichotomy between instrumentation and vocals. That was...interesting. Favorite track: Jersey Girl
Iconic voice
I may have heard too many parodies before hearing the real thing…also he has the kind of voice that makes cough to clear their throat. Not a huge fan.
I can find Tom Waits a bit much but this was really decent. Tremendous musicianship with some great dirty noises on there.
Gritty.
Not a huge fan of this album, I liked some Tom Waits songs in the past but this hasn't wowed me. Saved tracks: Heartattack And Vine, Downtown
I feel like this is similar situation as with Nick Cave - you need to like poetry, different musical textures and need to be connected to him personally.
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
The vocals grated on me big style as the album progressed. Not for me this
This has not aged well. I don’t know much about Tom Waits but after hearing this I don’t care to. Sot Saving All My Love For You 1/5
This is my fifth Tom Waits album in this project. I think this is definitely the seediest so far. Lots of prostitutes and whorehouses. But these characters are fascinating and heart-wrenching, the music seizes your soul, and Tom Waits voice is used to absolute perfection here. This album definitely seems like the triumphal end of Waits' early period, before the more experimental sounding albums that started with Swordfishtrombones.
Hmmm...another Tom Waits album. I think this one is what I was expecting from Tom Waits. It was good.
There are few who could charm me this much by singing about whores and Chinamen. But Tom Waits does. I'm not sure what a fifth Tom Waits album is adding to this list. No matter. I love it still.
Wow. This may be my favorite Tom Waits album yet (and that is saying something!). I loved the variety, the piano, the organ… lots of great moments. This is pretty much what I think about when I think stereotypically about Tom Waits.
I absolutely LOVE Tom Waits. While I have other records of his that I like more or listen to more often, this one is great and it's probably one of the more accessible ones. I love the gypsy blues piano and the acerbic point of view. Beyond the great sense of sound on this record with all the different piano sounds and the guitar and the odd, spacey arrangements, his lyrical sense is wonderful and that's what really will keep me coming back to Tom Waits for the rest of my days. These songs produce a smoke-filled noir film scene in my head filled with seedy characters and stories. I feel like I should be sitting alone at the end of a darkened bar stirring a glass of warm brandy with a nail and taking it all in. In another life, in another time... that could've been just where I ended up. There's a wonderful enjoyment of the dark and unhinged nature deep within us all that Tom seems to be able to put his finger on. It makes me somehow less afraid of that part of me. He finds a way to make it all sweet in the end and wraps it up the darkness with a bow quite nicely... a ratty, beaten up bow that's been stepped one out on the street, but a bow all the same.
5 stars the entire way through.
It’s definitely interesting but it’s not an album I’d likely listen to again. I wouldn’t, however, flee a cafe where it was being played.
This is VERY different than most things that I listen to, and i'm very surprised that i'm saying this, but this is pretty damn good. I am not a fan of the vocal style, but it definitely adds an extra layer of grungy tone that amplifies the delivery of the music. Fantastic mixing/production, I love the strings.
Untrustworthy. But there is some guitar work worth something.
His singing voice grew on me as I listened, but it still makes me a little uncomfortable.
Tom Waits is so weird, but in a delightful way. Reminds me of an even rougher Nick Cave, with more of a city vibe. Some songs are catchier than others, for sure. Downtown was a great treat.
Incredible, inimitable, caustic charcuterie of a voice with more rasp than Howlin’ Wolf or Captain Beefheart. Tom Waits has an eye for morbid (and sordid) details lyrically. Great record.
Didn’t love this album at all.
Very interesting....I may have to re-listen to his stuff to truly 'get' it. I wasn't a fan of Bjork's voice and now I love her so we'll see.
The second Tom Waits record I've come across so far after the surprise gem 'Bone Machine', but this one is unfortunately inferior to his later work in almost every way. It's an inconsistent agglomeration of rootsy, bar room blues and quasi-Sondheim ballads. The latter are the nadir of Tom Waits' catalogue - his iconic (though polarising) raspy vocals on 'Bone Machine' were utilised to perfection, illustrating a ravaged, anguished despair that never took itself too seriously. Here he sounds like a barfly doing karaoke after his 10th whiskey. The blues interlude doesn't end soon enough, and while Waits' does introduce the odd crumb of genius - 'There ain't no devil, just God when he's drunk' - it's just not enough. It's been called a transitional record for Waits, and you can see he was moving towards more interesting musical plains.
Always room for more Tom Waits
Incredibly boring
Bluesy with some lovely mellow vibes. Brilliantly poetic lyrics. Album is generally a lot chiller than I expected after the opening track.
I love Tom Waits and I can't think why. That gruff voice should grate, but somewhere in there, there is warmth and soul
Took me a while to get an understanding of this one so I gave it 3 listens. I feel like I need to spend a bit more time with Tom Waits but for this release I liked the title track, Downtown, On The Nickel, and Ruby's Arms is a nice closer.
I scored the other two Tom Waits albums that have come up already as fives, and I see no reason to break that trend. Who else can so completely transport you with a song? One minute you're wherever you are - the next minute you're bourbon-drunk, surrounded by cigarette smoke, and wearing clothes that haven't been washed in weeks. Magic. Fave track - "Downtown", although the title track is a contender too...
thought this was going to be insane as other tom waits offerings are but in fact this is not as fucked. at times it can get a bit samey but overall enjoyable. I love his voice over basically anything. best tracks: On the nickel, heart attack and vine, Mr siegel
Love the poetic language combined with the gravelly voice.
Heart-achingly bittersweet! This album is just fabulously atmospheric evoking images of smoky clubs late at night, displaced lonely people with an undercurrent of relentless yearning. It could be the soundtrack to a film noir set on Christmas Eve. His haunting voice makes me want to cry and sing simultaneously. It’s a solid 4.5 - it’s not quite perfect but I think this is very much a marmite record. If it doesn’t make you want to weep or lull you into his shattered world, it probably makes you want to throw something at a wall.
Tom is a strange man with a voice that hurts. I like his music a lot. And also his acting gigs. ‘Tom Traubert’s Blues’ is my favorite TW song. Not on this album. I was trying to remember where I heard it first and finally remembered it was on the Basquiat soundtrack. Then when I was looking it up to verify, I learned that Tom met Jim Jarmusch at a party for (or held by) Basquiat. I like the bluesy/jazzy style of this album. The songs with the strings/horns feel warmer than those without them. I did not know that he was the composer and original singer of Jersey Girl! ‘Don’t you know there ain’t no devil that’s just God when he’s drunk’ is such a good lyric - Heart attack and vine ‘How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porch light on?’ - Mr. Siegel is my favorite in this album. Tied with Jersey Girl.
I was having a hard time pinning this one down. One minute, marveling at Waits' stranglehold on his very own musical genre, then feeling physically uncomfortable at how painful it must feel to sing like this — Jesus, man, take it easy. Then wondering if I really enjoy this music, then impressed with how sweet and vulnerable he sounds. Then "Jersey Girl" comes on and I realize, I'm pretty sure I knew he wrote this, but I don't recall ever hearing this version. How did Springsteen hear this and say, "now there's a song I ought to cover"? How do you assign a number to all this?
Yeah this is cool and all, but the whole alcohol-soaked Bukowsi thing gets a little old. I prefer the later, weirder, moodier Waits albums. But all in all, if this is your vibe, there's good stuff here.
I wouldn’t say this is my favorite Tom Waits album. But man when he sings a story the journey is always one I want to take.
Think I liked Rain Dogs better, he was sleazier on that
This is my first time hearing a Tom Waits album and I’m not sure what to make of it. Obviously that caricature of a voice is the first thing you notice… I think it suits the gritty, bluesy songs better but the slower ones have a bit a Fairytale of New York thing about them which sort of works? He’s probably a taste I still haven't fully acquired but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt for now.
Is there a more distinctive voice in music? I don't think so. Tom Waits grows through a pretty solid list of blues numbers, like a less poetic version of Nick Cave at times. Solid offering if you've already started on the bourbon and the sun is still up.
Totally not what I expected going into this. Really good listen. Just realized I gave the first album I listened to of his a 1. Bone Machine. Hearattack and Vine is def a step in the right direction for me. 3. T3B 1. Downtown 2. Mr. Siegal 3. Heartattack and Vine
Good god. I remember hearing a Tom Waits album I liked, but this is clearly not it. Aside from Jersey Girl, this is a regular guy’s cartoonish attempt at being a down-and-out, whiskey soaked, dive bar act. Much of this sounds like it belongs on the Who Framed Roger Rabbit soundtrack.
I like that it was mostly instrumental
Meh