Heartattack And Vine

I mean, man. Tom Waits grew on me. Not on listen one, not even on listen two. My first listen, I was pretty close to repulsed. Such an abrasive voice, it’s easy for it to feel like sandpaper on your ears. But something was telling me that there must be more going on, must be something there. Tom Waits on this record is deep in America’s underbelly. We’re in the deep, dark caverns of depravity along with him, and for someone like me it’s just pure shock and distaste as he pulls you in. Honestly, I was gonna turn it off until I got to “On The Nickel” and I was like wait… this is a genuinely heartbreaking song. So I went on the journey with Tom Waits. And 3 albums in (I listened to the late career, sultry bayou villian-character record Blood Money, as well as the genuinely charismatic Closing Time, with barely a family resemblance to his later self), and… I’m a convert. It’s a fulcrum record, on which Tom Waits is becoming the character, getting drawn into the darkness. And it’s now genuinely captivating. I can’t tell what is the performance art, or where the character ends and the person begins, but I’m enthralled. Consider me a fan.

I’m back baby!! Who better to come back to than Tom Waits? I know Tom Waits only because my beloved roommates play him on our warped record player in the living room at strange times of day. Hearing his voice not distorted by the record player is only slightly different. My favorite song on the album is Jersey Girl, with its Christmas like jingle jangles. I’d like to hear Bruce sing this one. Tom Waits has a very strange voice, very muppet-inspired. But who can fault him for that? I love the muppets. 3/5 for me.

I've got a problem with Waits. The first album I heard was Closing Time, crazy stuff, loved it immensely. But I'm discovering it's about the only album where his voice is normal, I can't stand this hoarse sound. I truly can't. In Closing Time everything is perfect. Here the voice drives my mad, but luckily the piano is stunning as always and makes up for it

Roller-coaster of emotions

SHA LA LA LA LA

Conjures some very strong imagery of a seedy new York jazz club in middle of winter

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

Pretty solid live album which is a rarity for this list. Still not a massive fan of his voive but the band carry him well here

Not sure I'll ever get Tom Waits

Wow.

Good follow up to the french pianist. Had some similarities but Tom out here doing his own thing. Definitely heard of him before but was happy to finally have an introduction to him

Did not hit

His shtick is best enjoyed in small doses

I like Tom Waits, but this one was just okay for me.

i like tom waits a lot. this isnt his best album. hints at things to come. a little too loungey for me but that first track is experimental, dark, dirty waits. thats what i want. i dont want his sappy, love song sounding dirt tracks. but they are still executed incredibly. tom waits bangs and pianos like a king. still a good album. just little misses, i suppose.

The first question that leaps to the fore is "will this be as bad as I expect?" The first track starts out strong, being bluesy AF. His voice starts and hang on, his broken voice works so well for blues. Amazingly - and I stun myself here - the album continues to be very good. I think there was one track that I found less satisfying, but yeah, this was not at all a bad listen.

is there a reason it goes sad xmas song - blues - sad xmas song - blues the whole album, to be honest the sad ones are really beautiful and moving but as a whole… we’ll idk maybe i’m missing smth but it feels like he’s j tryna pull you between two vibes and it j doesn’t work

Tom's one of those composers who is really great at composing music but has a voice that is hard to fit to any style. Leonard Cohen was another. I think Tom writes gritty, raw music and that goes well with his voice, but ultimately it's not that enjoyable to listen to. Like I'd never throw on Tom Waites and then start doing the dishes.

Heartattack and Vine is the 7th album by American singer/songwriter Tom Waits. Musically this album is inspired by jazz, blues, and rock, while Tom's deep gravelly voice sings about the morbid, and unpleasant parts of society. This album was unique and charming, but also not my cup of tea. Average album alert.

Ruby's Arms and Jersey Girl are gorgeous.

"There ain't no devil it's just god when he's drunk." "The girls around here all look like Cadillacs" "Swinging from the rafters in a brand new tie" "I shot the morning in the back..." Swordfish era Tom Waits gets all the plaudits usually but I'm a massive fan of drunk guy at the diner Tom Waits, equally if not more so. Man, can this guy write a song. I still just prefer Small Change, but this is a great album, Tom can do no wrong.

An enjoyable album, interesting lyrics and comps. Waits singing was also good

Es bueno, pero las baladas no son lo mío. Aunque tiene muy buenas canciones.

More Tom Waits weirdness. By all accounts, his gruff voice makes for a memorable performance, it just isn't for everyone. I think the bluesy tone of the album is a good fit. The long and short of it is that this is not quite for me. Waits would find a much better sound on Rain Dogs about 5 years later.

fyllegubbe represent

An artist that of course I am aware of but have never really engaged. This is a lovely album, I enjoyed it greatly.

A modern-day sleazy classic.

Not for me. Did make me think of an alternate reality in which he did the soundtrack to Toy Story though.

Enjoyed the first track, didn't quite get me with the rest but will have a look at other albums.

Enjoyed this album. I will be diving into some more Tom Waits going forward. I don’t know what it is and I don’t know much about him but I like him

Dudes got a gnarly voice

Enjoyed this. Didn't know he wrote Jersey Girl. Sounds like he's swallowed glass.

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 don’t know, I think I should appreciate Tom Waits more than I do. I’ve got time, though…

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.

As I listen to more of Tom Waits' music, this much is clear: either you enjoy his vocals, or you don't. There is no in between. For myself, I absolutely love it. Sometimes it's distorted and nearly unintelligible ("Downtown"), but at other times, it's soft and tender (see "Ruby's Arms"). His voice choices are intentional and depends on the song. What a shame that Tom Waits' style doesn't allow his lyrics to be easily understood! The more you get used to his voice, the easier it is to understand. The lyrics within "Mr. Siegal" are so full and paint such a picture. "Drivin' dangerous curves across the dirty sheets." But possibly the best lyrics on the album are in the ballad "Ruby's Arms." While simple, this song describes a heartbreaking departure between lovers. I feel like I'm there in the room with Waits as he leaves. There was a fair amount of blues on this album. As someone who claims to not enjoy blues too often, I sure loved it here. Like with anything, Waits puts his spin on it. "Heartattack and Vine" is pure blues but the guitar drives the tempo hard. The "In Shades" instrumental immediately follows and acts as a continuation but is more classic blues. As for the topics covered in the songs, there's that pure down-on-your-luck blues, "On the Nickel". "'Til the Money Runs Out" and "Mr. Siegal" tell such stories, pure blues.

One thing I certainly appreciate about Tom Waits is that everything he creates sounds touched by darkness and maybe a bit of dirtiness and seediness. I make this point regardless of his voice -- his voice just adds to this! This genre continues to not really be a favorite of mine, though. I think I like Waits in a bit of a more experimental environment, but that's just me. 2.5 rounded to 3.

I really liked this. It was a treat!

Thought this album was dope and better than listening to top songs cuz it had some real range and an excellent autoplay.

Yeah, I get it. His voice is not for me 3/5

One of his best.

Interesting. Generally liked, though a little depressing.

Særegent

Lovely album - got confused because of the Screaming Jay Hawkins and Bruce Springsteen covers (that they did of Tom Waits) so I thought I had already heard it before - but first time listen, first time love - Tom Waits always soothes my soul.

This is by far the only Tom Waits album I can listen to.

Tom Waits is hit or miss with me. Almost all of these songs are a hit.

Fuck Tom Waits!

I liked the bluesy bits, but they meandered sometimes and got boring at other times. Guitar work is good, and I liked that. Tom Waits is someone I won't listen to often, but if in the right mood, I can see putting this one on again.

Good music, can't say i really like his voice all that much.

Not for me thanks, just not very interesting. Also his voice is bizarre, not even in a good way.

The title track, along with the two gorgeous ballads "Jersey Girl" and "Ruby's Arms" are worth your time. About the latter, rarely has Tom Waits sounded this moving, either before or after 1980. Unfortunately, everything else is very, *very* secondary compared to those three highlights. All the other songs are decently crafted so as to channel the American singer's usual persona as a poetic drunkard / beautiful loser / raucous film noir protagonist, but the jazz / blues / cabaret-like music is far from being spectacular here. There are indeed far better cuts to be found elsewhere in Waits' long and convoluted discography, from the early seventies to the late naughts. And when it comes to albums (a format where Waits can in turn be either extremely tiring or, conversely, struck by sudden genius), *Heartattack And Vine* is certainly one or two notches under *Closing Time*, *Swordfishtrombones*, *Rain Dogs* or *Bone Machine*. Number of albums left to review: 759 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 120 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 58 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 64 (including this one)

I appreciate the blues; I appreciate Waits; The marriage is less than satisfactory with the latter trying to some degree Song. Still strange and sweet. Smoky but less theatrical in that.

A bit tough, this rock

Gotta admit, I thought for sure I’d hate this because I don’t really care for super esoteric music, but it wasn’t too bad! I liked the dichotomy between the sleazy guitar songs and the heartfelt piano ballads. Bonus points for “Jersey Girl”.

Jeez I couldn’t stand this. I don’t like his voice and the music wasn’t enjoyable.

Not my style. I liked the music though

Always a delight to hear Tom's gravely voice, but this one is just a bit behind all the others on this list. Still great, just not quite a masterpiece.

Oh Tom, keep up the seedy work.

Probably not the best Tom Waits album, but a pretty good one. Solid 4/5. "Heartattack & Vine", "On The Nickel" and "Jersey Girl" were the ones that stood out to me. Classic Waits crooning on most of the tracks, a nice instrumental, and one or two where I think he starts to get a little whiney and I start searching for the "next button" on the remote.

Rock, blues, Jazz

Don’t like his voice.

Yeah ok. Some grimy Waits love here. Not as oddly sentimental as I’d like but it scratches the itch. I really liked Jersey Girl.

Very good, melancholic and rock and roll mixed in one album.

It's a fine, if somewhat middling, effort from Tom Waits. But with so many other albums he has released that I think are more important, this one just seems average.

Me gusta Tom Waits y este disco no esta nada de mal.

What on earth am I listening to? It's blues sung by a man with a tracheotomy? I see wiki calls that a 'trademark deep and gravelley voice'. By gravelly I picture on my mind smooth like liquor, like Louis Armstrong or something - not a fucking forced-labour quarry project with 500 tonne excavators and a shit tonne of TNT blowing holes into solid granite. In fact - some of it borders on parody of someone trying to do a deep voice. Shame - because the music is classy.

Tom Waits' voice is not for the fainthearted but, when one comes to terms with it, it can lead to some pretty drastic reconsideration. On Heartattack and Vine, there are several moments of upturned expectations when it comes to the songs that seem to not bring about greatness; yet when Tom belts with the passion and conviction, it's those two things that sends the songs into a place the listener doesn't expect them to be, like with Downtown, Jersey Girl and On the Nickel. Tom Waits is an acquired taste and may not be for everyone but, when he gets his hooks onto you, it's a enthralling ride.

This will definitely grow on me with more listens. The back and forth of emotions are a lot to take in which I liked a lot. His voice is wild. I bet Ol Dirty Bastard liked him maybe.

Not for me

It’s a no from me dawg

It's guttural but also somehow ethereal old timey punk. Tom Waits could sing about dirty socks and it would be fascinating.

Strong Sopranos soundtrack and Springsteen vibes, but without all of the hookiness. Simple bluesy instrumentation, dark and sad vocals. Worth another listen for sure, but will not be put into my regular rotation. This is my first experience listening to Tom Waits.

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

Good musician and lyricist. It's tough getting used to his raspy voice though.

Everything about the composition and flow just compliments the voice.

It's a stunning and beautiful album. Many of the songs I know very well, but others are new to me. If Tom Waits is new to you, I am so sorry you didn't grow up with it on the record player as I was so lucky to do then and now too. His voice and his sound are embedded into the soul fabric of my music heart. I love to hear it. If you've never seen it, please watch this Tom Waits video as it will make you laugh and just shows his range, his depth, and his humor! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NWUqR5w_A

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.

Huh, so I CAN like Tom Waits. I was convinced after we got Bone Machine that I did not like Tom Waits, not no way, not no how. But somehow his voice works better on this slower album? Based on Jersey Girl, where he seems to slip in and out of his growl, it appears the gravel is a CHOICE. My throat hurts just from listening but this is an album that I may come back to when I need a good wallow.

This album is definitely better than bone collector. There were nuggets I enjoyed on that album, which were songs for which Tom Waits’s haunting, but terrible, voice fits. I would say his voice fits the songs on this album much better overall. I just wish for his sake he could have extracted the gravel from his throat. It is probably very uncomfortable.

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.

Before Waits entered his experimental phase, he was writing bluesy ballads in the setting and style of a jazz nightclub. He's a talented artist, the production sounds good, it's coherent yet full of diverse approaches, and there are a few highlights. However, I think a lot of it is quite underwhelming. The most popular track "Jersey Girl" has some emotion, but is otherwise a pretty lame ballad. Not even the worst ballad on here. Also, the songs are way too long, and most of them should be cut almost in half, even the ones I liked. I do like the personality he shows in his vaudeville songs, which work really well with his rough voice and blend rock and jazz well. Favorites: Heartattack and Vine, Downtown, Mr. Siegal

Tom Waits' style works for me sometimes. It did not work on this album. Best track: Heartattack and Vine

I’m a huge fan of Tom Waits’ work around the more experimental Swordfish Trombones/Rain Dogs era. This album shows his before he began to self produce more experimental dark cabaret music that explores the darker side of the human experience. Heart attack and Vine definitely has the seeds of that layer work and features Waits’ incisive songwriting. Some of his musical ideas hinted at what was to come but ultimately were not successful. I still really enjoyed this look into the career of an artist I really admire.

Not a fan.

The voice ruins everything

I saw another Tom Waits album and was dreading the inevitable. I hated his first album as it was unlistenable. This one was way, way better. His voice was actually bearable and the music was listenable. It actually worked together as an album.

Was pretty good. I'm sure I'd heard some of the songs before but never listened to him much. Raspy voice songs reminded me of Elvis style rock. Slightly more polished blues.

Couldn’t finish the album his voice is too annoying

Starting to love his music more every time I put on one of his albums. Such a extraordinary voice and musically solid. Again a great album ! Favourite songs: - Saving all my love for you - Downtown - On the nickel

Not fully appreciated TW’s output before. Musically really interesting and his voice is just incredible. To do that album in 1980 feels bold!

I respect him and his music, but the genre isn’t my favorite. He’s one of the best in his space.

Definitely a couple great songs

voice like rusty nails, bourbon soaked rusty nails

Dirty, bluesy, soulful, emotional. Fucking awesome and super chill

Couldn’t get through it. It may have been revolutionary or something, but his voice is just too weird.

How to turn growl knob down

I did not like this album or the style of music. It wasn't my cup of tea and I didn't make it through the whole album because I really didn't enjoy it.

Not a fan of his gravelly voice. Otherwise, somewhat interesting bluesy stuff

He really needs to clear his throat

Really enjoyed this. Very soulful, and would definitely listen again

I thought I loved this album, but there are more syrupy ballads than I remember! The gruff bluesy stuff is all great though.

Brilliant.

Tom Waits style is certainly niche. Overall though I enjoyed this album. The bluesy jazz instrumentals worked well with his vocals.

I never knew cookie monster released an album.

It might not be my Tom Waits' best album, but it's one of my favourite listens. It has everything Waits had up till this point. The pumping bluesrock Waits like "Heartattack and Vine" and "Downtown". The Jazzy Waits on a song like "In Shades." Then it has the orchestrated balled Waits on songs like "Saving All My Love For You" and "On The Nickel." Songs so bordering on kitsch that you'll only allow Waits to make them. And then there's the Waits best listened at night like "Ruby's Arms" Is it his best? No. But it's an underrated uncut gem.

Kuulosti aika perus pubitompalta ilman sen kieroutuneita elementtejä. Ei huono mutta ei myöskään parasta Tomppaa! 3/5

Simppelimpi Waits ja toimii. Tämäkin 3/5.

Tom Waits on uusi tuttavuus tämän listan kautta, mutta levy levyltä diggaan enemmän!

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.

Songwriting was interesting but not quite the range I was looking for.

I liked to listen to this bluesy album with some depressed punk attitude. Waits' vocal delivery is impressive, too. For me, the only problem is the repetitiveness of the album. I was a bit bored with his songs at the last song.

Heel erg vervelende schorre schreeuwende stem

Tom Waits voice legitimately sounds like he's dying. Sometimes it's grating, and sometimes its great! Best Songs: Heart Attack and Vine, Downtown, , Mr. Siegal, Til' the Money Runs Out Worst Songs: On the Nickel

Lyric and music are good, jazzy, bluesy, some folk. I can't get over his voice. It's not suited for singing.

Not a fan of Waits, but this album turned me around. I really enjoyed this album.

This is the second Tom Waits album I’ve been assigned. Again, I cannot get past the gravelly voice. I liked this even album less than Rain Dogs. Not much to say other than I was basically clenching my teeth to get through this.

Great songwriting, didn't mind the voice. Too many blues progressions - but it's consistent and meets or exceeds expectations...

Great songwriting. I’m sure the gravelly drawl appeals to certain crowd but I don’t love it.

Excited to give this a second listen. I really enjoyed this album. It is like you get to get a look into the mind of the gutter of society, and it doesn't feel inauthentic, or judgmental - just raw. I love the bare bones music, and there is a lot of emotion in his voice, even if some can't get past it. He swings from a song about a wasted guy who got 27 stiches in his head, potentially committing suicide, or spending all of his money on a hooker - or both - running from something - or everything - to a lullaby that might be a songs that is critiquing lullabies, by also showing someone who didn't take to heart that he should have "combed his hair" - and is now in the gutter as a hobo (?) - to a heartbreaker about a breakup or a visit from a ghost. This is only the second album of his that I have engaged with, and I get the same feeling that I did after the first one I engage with - this guy is a genius songwriter. Again, I can't wait to revisit it and dig a little deeper, or have the meaning shift based on where my head is at. Heartattack and Vine: "Don't you know there ain't no devil, there's just God when he's drunk. This stuff will probably kill you, let's do another line." "Saving all my love for you" - I imagine a drunk, fuck-up wandering around town in the hours before dawn. Love it. Downtown - 9/10 - "It's the cool of the evening the sun's goin' down, I want to hold you in my Arms I want to push you around, I want to break your bottle and spill out all Your charms, come on baby we'll set off all the burglar alarms, goin' downtown Down downtown." - Did it before Matchbox 20 "Jersey Girl" - Didn't realize he wrote it. Better, more authentic than Springsteen's version. "Til the money runs out" - hell yes. Incredible lyrics. Wasted confusion, can dig into the meaning. Did the pointed man commit suicide? Or with a prostitute? Both? "On the nickel" - a lullaby? A critique of lullabyes? By a homeless guy who maybe should have taken the little things like combing his hair more seriously? Not run away from home? Dunno - it's all of those things -and it's great. Even Thomas Jefferson is down here with him - on the nickel. Mr. Siegal - " you got to tell me brave captain why are the wicked so strong how do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves his porch light on" Ruby's Arms - Is he dead? A soldier? Is he greeting her as the wind, and taking her scarf off the clothesline? Leaving through her blinds, past the windchimes. A soldier? Or a rambling hobo leaving someone he loves, and it breaks his heart? Awesome.

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

Never heard Tom Waits before. Time to dive in. Puts on Tom Waits. Is this voice an actual joke? He sounds like a drunk person trying to sing while stifling the urge to puke, specifically on Saving All My Love For You. Fucking TERRIBLE. Remarkably the rest of the album somehow works/and is kinda great? Nothing about this makes sense to me. Why do I like this? On the Nickel is also bad lmao.

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.

an interesting listen. the gravely voiced storyteller has some strong points with the title track and ruby's arms, though much of the rest is consistent with his style without particularly standing out.

Listened to on 8/3/22 2/5 Favorite song: In Shades The raspiness of his voice made me uncomfortable did not enjoy

Tom Waits’ voice sounds like if the insect guy in the first Men in Black movie was singing. The actual music was nice.

Old sentimental cat ❤️

Meh

Never listened to Tom Waits before. He's got a very characteristic deep, dirty voice. Sounds like Captain Beefheart or white Louis Armstrong. He does actually hit some higher notes and sounds "normal". There are two types of songs on this album: the slow, emotional ones with strings, piano, etc, and the swingy jazzy greaser songs with Hammond organ, double bass and such. I dislike the slow songs because they just seem cheezy to me and his voice doesn't really fit them, but I do dig the greaser songs. They do follow a noticeable pattern of repeating every four bars but adding a new instrument/altering a melody line. The album is nice and varied, the vocals are original. It's for a specific audience.

I love the Tom Waits slow vibe on this album. The tracks are musically different and Tom just can't help be a story teller. Ace stuff!

His voice is kinda grating, but the blues-y songs are a nice vibe. Could do without the ballads on here though, it kinda feels like the album jumps around genres and doesn't feel cohesive. Not my favorite

I listened to the first three songs, it's not great, not my style and super random lyrics. The sound is decent

Not quite at the level of Rain Dogs or Swordfishtrombones to me but a solid Tom awaits album.

The studio album before Tom Waits started to really go... "Tom Waits"... great blues record. If it doesn't hit, listen to another and Wait(s) for it. :)

Easy listening- I like the low key grimey mood. Enough variety to keep me interested.

The second Tom Waits album within one week... As usual, Waits mixes Jazz with Blues to produce his trademark "down low" sound. And it works. Waits is one of the few white men playing the Blues that can sound authentic while doing so. Sadly, many of the songs are not that memorable per se, but it's the underlying mood which manages to sell them. The album gets really good in the ballads, most of which are quite beautiful - Saving All My Love For You, On The Nickel and Ruby's Arms are the high points here. The other songs would have benefitted from that level of songwrighting, too. 3/5

Poetry. Some Dylan inspired lyrics, much darker and much more urban. Often visceral, often decadent working class drunk storytelling. Scorching vocals. Unique, creative metaphores. One of a kind.

still waiting...

Always been a big fan of Mr. Waits! Love his earlier works, but he has released some great albums throughout his career. Heartattack and Vine is a solid and transitional record that is a very interesting and sometimes challenging listen. Not one of my favourite Tom Waits's albums, but still one of his better efforts.

Good album but I know he has better ones so I kinda was like meeeehhhh

I like Tom Wait pretty well. Music, voice, lyrics. Though if my husband ever writes me a love song I hope it will feature fewer (possibly no?) prostitutes.

Came dreading this because I hated the last Waits album I got, but believe I intended to be the most open minded about it… so it started good, the old exaggerated voice but nothing to bad, then a nice instrumental piece, I was kinda enjoying it and then it came the third track on which he sings as if he was about to puke, fucking awful and stupid, a couple of not so horrible songs and then again that ridiculous Jersey song and then again and so the damage is done. I’ll finish with the same sentence as the last time, I hope he damaged his vocal cords while recording this shit.

Hat mir nicht so gut gefallen wie die Rain Dogs. Schlechte drei.

Me: I didn't care too much for this Tom Waits album. Randomizer: How about... ANOTHER Tom Waits album? Me: ... Hmmm...Umm... OK. Well, it's better I guess, but maybe I can listen to something else...? Randomizer: How about... ANOTHER Tom Waits album? Me: <throws arms into the air> what the hell? So here we are with ANOTHER Tom Waits album. First off, I did not realize "Jersey Girl" was written by Waits. And yeah, this is another step up from the last two. I probably would rank this even higher than the last two. But so close to the last two. I mean... I'm trying to separate it. They're trying to make me rank it higher, or what? OK, but seriously, folks. What about the songs and the performances? I felt that Waits was more "on" here than "Nighthawks At The Diner," and I liked his performance there. The songs were pretty well-written, and Waits himself did a pretty good job. So yeah, I'm going to say comparatively, of the three, this would be the best. So this would get a 4 because of that. I just wish it wasn't so close to the last one.

Yeah his voice still grates but he's almost a blend of Joe Cocker and Randy Newman on this album and that's not bad. Case in point Mr. Siegal. And his instrumental arrangements & playing are at least as good as those other guys. On the Nickel is beautiful. Ditto Ruby's Arms and Jersey Girl. Reminds you his greatest quality is songwriting and not many can match it. Heartattack and Vine and Downtown are more gritty but still really well-written. Saving all My Love for You is a cross between these two - gritty lyrics but heartbreaking arrangement. Did it just happen? Did I just become a Waits convert? I don't know but this is a good album.

I think it was a reviewer from the Rolling Stone who said that Tom Waits can find more beauty in the gutter than most people would find in the Garden of Eden. That is a perfect description of his sound. He is definitely one of the greatest lyricists of the past 50 years. There’s so many clever lines on this album alone. ' Don’t you know there ain’t no devil, there’s just god when he’s drunk' from the title track is the first one that comes to mind. ' you got to tell me brave captain, why are the wicked so strong, how do the angels get to sleep, when the devil leaves the porchlight on' from “Mr. Seigal” is just another. I always see a good deal of criticism about Tom Wait’s voice but it’s perfect for the subject matter that he writes about. Can you imagine these lyrics having the same kind of impact being sung by someone like Robert Plant or Roger Daltrey. His arrangements on here are spot on too. There’s a unique sound to them as well which fits in perfectly with the subject matter and his voice. I knew a few of his albums on this list but this one was new to me. I can totally see why it's included.

Oh, Tom Waits. Every time I've listened to one of his albums, I need to get past the shock of his voice before I can appreciate the album. That first listen is always rough. But then I listen again and his voice starts to fit his music and his lyrics. With respect to his lyrics - always pay attention to his lyrics. That's where the power is - and then his voice fits. The first time I heard "On the Nickel" I noted "pretty song, weird voice." Then I listened again paying attention to the lyrics, learning that he's talking about being homeless on Skid Row ("on the nickel"). Then you hear his voice singing, "What becomes of all the little boys, who never comb their hair? They're lined up all around the block on the nickel over there." As someone with a teenage son who often seems aimless and sometimes leaves me worried about his future, that line is devastating. And Waits' voice just FITS with these portraits of the downtrodden and the seedy underbelly of life. Other great lines: "Don't you know there ain't no devil? There's just God when he's drunk" and "I'll probably get arrested when I'm in my grave." Also, I personally appreciate the line, "Nothin' else matters in this whole wide world, when you're in love with a Jersey girl." Can confirm.🙂 Overall, my advice is get past the shock of his voice (it's better than you think), pay attention to the lyrics, and enjoy the musical ride. Oh, crap. Am I becoming a Tom Waits fan??

While I generally prefer the work that came after this, so many of those seeds were sown with this album. Tom's unique voice really shows here.

You either get Tom, or you don't.

I’m conflicted about toms voice but I love the album 😂

Not his best, but still worth a listen

Yeah ummm not the best thing out there, confused why it’s on this list. Every word he sings sounds so strained and tedious. The gruff vocals REALLY do not work on so many of these songs, and even the ones where Tom doesn’t sound silly are only decent songs. 3/10

4.25

1980. Heartattack And Vine

Didn’t have many thoughts on this album. I have a feeling you either like Tom waits or you don’t. I didn’t enjoy this much as he sounds like a pack of cigarettes. It felt like a singer songwriter that was way past his time. 3.7/10

I can’t stand this album. I can’t get into this dude’s voice. He sounds like he’s trying to parody Louis Armstrong. I get what he was trying to do but it gets annoying after the third song. The love songs were some of the worst on here, it had me looking every 15 seconds to see if it was over yet. This also felt like a drag to get through even though it’s average length for an album. The reason it’s not a 1 star is that I thought the title track wasn’t that bad and in shade was a cool jam track. The album has nice guitar and organ parts and a blues style that I thought was pretty good, but it’s not enough to go back and listen to again. Overall the album would’ve been better if the singing wasn’t so jarring. Fav tracks: heart attack and vine, in shade Least fav tracks: saving all my love for you, Jersey girl, on the nickel

Ruby's Arms was a sweet surprise

His voice would be better suited to Mongolian Throat Singing.

Bob Dylan a une plus belle voix

le type a vomi pendant 45 minutes ??

Ó Tom. Það tók mig langan tíma að fatta þessa snilld sem hann skapar. En gademit, hann á hjarta mitt í dag. Frábær plata.

The gifts! I love Tom Waits. This isn't even in my top 5 Tom Waits albums, but it's still great.

Woah. The album art made me think I was going to get something Marilyn Manson-esk. The intro with the blues feel surprised me the. His voice surprised me even more with how deep and scratchy it was. The Jazzy songs I liked a lot (in shades). His rock songs I didn’t care for mostly because of his vocals. Mr. Siegal made me think I was watching a western movie while they’re in a saloon. I listen to a handful of other songs by him and they sounded nothing like this album I thought but he has produce a ton of music. Interesting listen but I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever go back to

Love his voice, wouldn't go winning any singing competitions but has found a sound and style that really compliments it

Rating: 6/10

Cool. Voice! I liked this album a bit more than some of his other live ones. Good sound, Def more blues focused

Great example of his work

Most of Tom’s singing sounds like someone’s drunk uncle singing at a wedding, but the music itself is surprisingly good.

Third Waits album, first outside his experimental series, this is prior to that. There are actual, real songs here. His voice is still intolerable, but these are standard, tuneful arrangements. That's worth a star.

Hell yeah.

Another one I missed on the initial run through; given that I'm not keen on Waits generally, Heartattack and Vine is loads better than I thought it would be. It's bluesy, it's soulful, it makes proper use of his unique voice, it works. It's solid to good 3/5.

This is cool. Not 5/5, but I think a solid 3, pushing a 4. His voice is obviously really weird, but I do like it, and there's a really nice variety in the song mix, from blues to full on crooner. All with a lovely helping of gravel.

Over the top growly vocals

More TW... Sandwich it with Frank and Eno for a predictable trio..

You know what actually pretty ok.

Sound of rubbing your ear on gravel.

Hipster Michael McDonald

"Don’t you know there ain’t no devil? There’s just God when he’s drunk" Alternating Dive-Bar Shenanigans & Seedy Streets with Bizarre ballads. Although I'm not a fan of the sequencing, this album is ridiculously cool AF.

Boy, do I love Tom Waits's ability to paint a scene. This album sounds like a lovesick drunk at an all-night diner in a cold, windy city full of shady characters.

He’s just not my thing

No.

It's a little heavy on the ballads, but it's still a great album. It's Tom Waits, the man is a national treasure.

Sounds like Pete from Mickey Mouse wandered into the studio after going a whole week without a glass of water. It's a shame because the songwriting is there. But based on my enjoyment it's a 2. Each song feels like it would be the obligatory slow, plodding villain song in a kids' movie. He'd probably give a mean rendition of the "Oogie Boogie Man" song Some of the songs felt sweet and tender, which I did appreciate. I liked the last song at least

What a unique musician. Loved Jersey Girl.

Iedereen heeft precies veel lof over dit album, maar ik vond het wat aan de saaie kant

Underrated album

Pretty much what I said about Swordfishtrombones applies here: Not everyone is going to like Tom, but if you do you are probably going to love him. I don't know that it's my favorite album by him but I don't know that I do have a favorite. It's a great time. What a one of a kind talent.

very cool sound...surprised I haven't listened to more Tom Waits in my time

Excellent album - poignant & authentic.

Pretty decent but the title track is the best one by far, which ends up underselling the rest of the album.

that's absolutely crazy but I'm not into the whole raspy voice thing

Tom transitioning from Boho jazz balladeer to skronky blues hobo.

Interesting experiment but not something I would listen to regularly

i started off thinking this was the best tom waits album we've had, but i couldn't work it out after about 6 songs in because i got bored of the shtick. nice to listen to one or two songs, but an album is a slog.

Tom waits for his Cornflakes, his Cheerios, his Weetos. He launches it all down his throat like your mum gobbling down uncle Mike's cock. He walks out into the on-coming traffic still in his dressing gown, his todger flapping in the cold morning mist. What's that you say, Jim? How's your nan doing? Still like a fist up her growler? Yeah, yeah mate, I'll be round later. Lend us a fiver? I'll have it back to you by next Wednesday when Rita pays me for the violin lessons she so desperately needs. She can't play a fuckin' note the poor cunt. Where's my butt plug gone? I had it an hour ago. Tom waits for Rita to come round. She loves to tickle her toes in the hours leading up to the event in the hope of getting a sausage sandwich out of Trevor. She never does. Tom cradles his young son in his arms and smokes a cigar. You like that don't you, Toby. Me and ya muvva don't like eachother anymore, but you'll keep us glued together until your infant death, which is due next week. Rita turns up, fanny hanging down round her ankles, channeling her inner Princess Anne. Tom is annoyed because he's already eaten half of his advent calendar in the time spent waiting. Rita slaps him and then beautifully plays the violin. She's been practicing. Tom realises she doesn't need him anymore and can't help but feel like he's been betrayed by his soon to be dead infant son, Toby. He snatches the fiver from Rita and stuffs it down Toby's neck. It snaps. Rita cries out in horror and runs away to Belgium's capital, Brussels. Just another day in paradise, ain't that right, Phil? Ain't that right? Toby you poor dead cunt.

Apparently we need to put more effort into this. Nice one Nigel. Can't be arsed today though.

The unwritten story behind the album: A heartattack induced by a sighting of SHACK, Clinging to a vine as he rips out your spine. Damn, this poetry malarkey isn't as easy as Nigel made it look.

Fan van Tom Waits, op een of andere manier heb ik dit album altijd een beetje links laten liggen. Maar een onvervalste Waits-plaat is het!

Klinkt als een plaat die ik nog veel meer ga waarderen als ik 'm meer draai... Vraag is altijd of dat lukt.

Geen groot fan, maar dit vond ik goed te pruimen

Ik hou niet van dat zware brommende Tom Waits geluid, maar op deze plaat staan heel wat nummers waar hij veel meer zingt en niet klinkt als die beer uit de Muppets Show. Positief verrast door dit album!

Ik zag er een beetje tegenop maar werd aangenaam verrast want Tom zingt daadwerkelijk op dit album!

The tracks are fantastically soulful blues, played raw and straight. I think ‘Mr. Seigal’ and ‘In Shades’ show what I’m talking about perfectly. Of those two songs, I greatly prefer the latter and here’s why. The voice. I just couldn’t get over or get into was Tom’s vocalization on this album. If it’s his natural singing voice then I guess I just can’t relate to the appeal. To me though, it sounds like a chosen and overt stage persona. I honestly had to fight the impulse to rip my headphones off of my head to escape the gurgling wails of "Sha-lala-lala-lala" in 'Jersey Girl'.

Best Song: Heartattack and Vine. Gritty and caustic blues-soaked track that kicks the album off well. Worst Song: In Shades. I don't listen to Tom Wats albums for instrumental tracks. Overall: For a big fan of Tom Waits, this feels like a transitional album, bridging between his earlier melodic stuff and his later grit-and-gravel delivery. For that reason, when he dips into softer tones (like on "Saving All My Love For You" and "On the Nickel") it feels a bit off. Like watching someone use the gnarliest motorcycle to go grocery shopping. Sure it'll get you there, but that's not what it was made for. In all, a good album, but not the Tom Waits album I'd have chosen to appear on the list.

Heartattack and Vine by Tom Waits (1980) Tom Waits is a national treasure. He has the capability of finding sublime beauty in the feed bin of a sausage grinder. His poetry is not on a level of a Leonard Cohen or a Bob Dylan, but his conceptual freedom is superlative. Don’t try to put this album into a genre. The genre is Tom Waits. Heartattack and Vine is not quite as good as Bone Machine (1992) or Rain Dogs (1985), but it stands on its own as a fine representative piece of the Waits oeuvre. The cover art alone is worth buying the original LP, and you don’t even have to worry about getting it grimy, because it already is. Tube amp fuzz, nasty gravel vocals (with vibrato, no less), and a thespian engagement with his word pictures are completely convincing. His slower than slow pacing allows the blues to shine, highlighting every long, languid electric guitar riff bend. And there’s nothing sloppy in the production, from stylish Hammond organ and jazz piano, to tasteful orchestral tapestries (especially “Saving All My Love for You”, “Jersey Girl”, and “On the Nickel”). Theologians would be hard pressed to to refute his argument in “Heartattack and Vine” that “there ain’t no Devil, there’s just . . .” (I won’t spoil it for you). And while I have the attention of the preachers, let me ask (“Mr. Siegel”): “You got to tell me, brave captain Why are the wicked so strong? How do the angels get to sleep When the devil leaves his porch light on?” His slow-walking “Jersey Girl” (later covered [not as well] by Bruce Springsteen) is the ugliest beautiful Sha-la-la-love song ever. And “Ruby’s Arms” is likewise the sourest sweet farewell love song in the Great American Songbook (well, at least it oughta be). Give this a listen and tell me if I’m crazy. 4/5

3.5

<3

Waits' voice is certainly unique, and it works better on some songs than others. On the whole it's a pleasant accompaniment to his tales of losers and woe, but it's sometimes a bit grating and I don't think I could listen to it all day long. That's also pretty much how I felt about the album overall: it has a couple of great songs ("Mr. Siegal" might be my favorite) and enough filler to keep me from putting the whole album on repeat. P.S. I didn't realize that "Jersey Girl" wasn't a Springsteen original!

Tom Waits back catalogue has been one of the discoveries of this whole exercise for me.... I think this is now the third album, and whilst it hasn't got the weird grandeur of bone machine, it's once again a gravelly voiced work of art. 3 is enough though....let other artists in on the list!

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

Knew the title track. The rest was mixed but some good tunes on there.

3.5/5

I like boozy crooner TW more than weird jazzy TW, but this is just in the right spot before it gets TOO weird

It took a couple of days to shake of the depression of listening to this

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

Niiiceee!

Is he ok?

Very entertaining. Such a unique sound. It is hard to take the album seriously, yet I found it endearing.

Not my thing at all. I thought I’d never make it as a singer because my voice was bad. After listening to this I’m not so sure. 🤣

Unique vocals, but wouldn't call it singing. Also I got a Christmas album vibe from the music. Not for me

okay sure this might be a classic but this is so not my thing. raspy voice gets on my nerves, don't like the jazzy guitar, lyrically uninteresting to me. did not get through the whole album

'Rubys Arms' is more beautiful and heartbreaking than all of Adele's sad songs put together. I'm not a fan of his voice, but it didn't stop me from enjoying this album.

Pretty dark - enjoyable all the same.

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

A vine effort

Visar på vad som komma ska

6/10

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

Good mix of up-tempo and slow. Especially liked the slow songs.

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

not bad

booooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinggggggggggggggggggggg

I don't like blues. I don't like singers who sound like they are acting out a role. I really really don't like Tom Waits. 4/10

Heerlijke zware blues stem met een stevige folk sound

Muy bueno

Un poco voceón y con voz chamuscada

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

Waits' performative lyrics are classy, ​​but the performance isn't always perceived. But compared to Bone Machine, it is much more listenable. Also the bass line is perfect:)

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

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

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

American, 80s, Blues + = Male - Hate his voice, it's soo unpleasant/awkward/muscle {0/9}

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

okay sound to me...deep voice.

this was a great one. i knew his music a bit from back in the day (i used to close every edition of my radio show with I Don't Want To Grow Up - fun!), but this was an album i'd completely missed until today. jersey girl was an obvious standout, but i also really liked a few of the other less-played tracks. it's nice having an album that has a cohesive sound, but that doesn't all sound like the same song 14 times in a row. plus, you know, that raw, desperate sound he's got - and which, as near as i can make out, has never changed. he's somehow never found his salvation over all these years, but he's also never slipped from the edge.

By now it’s obvious this endeavour has listed pretty much anything Tom Waits had ever published. However, this one is a actually good!

Хороший классический блюз

Je pense que j'aime pas trop Tom Waits.

Pretty good. 6-7/10

3.5 / 5

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

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

Didn’t like as much as his other work.

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

This is a good album, and I frequently come back to many of these songs, especially "Heartattack and Vine" "Downtown" "Mr Siegal" and "Ruby's Arms." As an album it's a little too divided between rippers and sweetness, and perhaps not his peak in terms of songwriting. "Jersey Girl" and "On the Nickel" are wonderful songs too but I don't crave listening to them like I do some of the other songs on this album, or some of the other albums in his discography.

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

Not my fav is Wait’s work. Only the title track, Downtown, and Jersey Girl interest me, the rest feel like worse versions of other songs. It’s still all great but is also a bit short.

Ugh Tom Waits, ok. Second album of his now I think. At least it's just blues. Boring blues though, and his voice has to be a joke. 2/5.

Found this little gem in the Wikipedia article linked to by this site: Though critical of the album in many respects, including Waits' vocal delivery and the "morbid pathos" of the ballads, Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone wrote that "Tom Waits finds more beauty in the gutter than most people would find in the Garden of Eden," and referred to him as a "unique and lovable minor talent." I'm not loving his vocals on this one, and I'm not clever enough to know if he's doing it as parody or something like that. I do like some of the tracks, and he is one heck of a writer. Man, the guitar work in "In Shades" is great.

A voice more like a cadaver than a kitten, I just can’t enjoy it. It’s like Tom Waits is the South Park guys lampooning Tom Waits

Solid as hell, dare I go later?? Mule variations?

3.5

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

I like the minimal arrangements, funereal cadences, with a muted Hammond organ. A poetric barbarian. (7/10) Favourite Tracks: Jersey Girl, Ruby's Arms

August 10, 2021 (Aug 19) I have to admit the singing is not quite what I'd want it to be (mostly from an enunciation perspective, I like the tone), but I just learned Tom Waits actually wrote two of my favourite songs and this album shows why. Definitely a certain mood but I'm into it!

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

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

Average

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

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

Blandad blues-rock med mycket orgel. Jersey girl bäst.

Tom Waits doing what he does best; crooning about love and the dirty parts of culture, letting his voice carry the songs with minimalistic music at times. I’ve always loved that he will craft a song and bring uncommon instruments to the forefront while pushing traditional instruments to the back. Lots of organ on this one. Will always have a huge soft spot for Jersey Girl, but everything else on this album is so solid. Heartattack and Vine and Downtown stand out for me.

This album is stellar, although it isn’t my favourite Tom Waits album it has one of his most known songs on it. I love his greasy blues rock dive bar songs on this album. It’s a nice pace between those and the softer tunes Highlights: heartattack and vine, jersey girl, mr.Siegal

Sounds like Bruce Springsteen emerging from a vat of chemicals. I dig X-rated Bruce. Best enjoyed while walking through the wrong part of town with your red wings on. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

i like this

Hey Tom, how many different genres do you think we can get away with on one album? The only consistent part of this album is how many tabs he must have smoked to maintain a voice like that.

I can't imagine why there needs to be more than two Tom Waits albums on this list. Some (myself included) might suggest that one is too many. But hey, I gave Bon Jovi a chance so we'll see what this bastard has up his sleeve here. I'll admit I like Jersey Girl, but that's because of Springsteen's version and I always associate it more with Springsteen than I do Waits (as I'm sure is the case for a good number of folks). I'll admit to liking Waits' version of Jersey Girl, as Jersey Girl is a 5. Sort of wish "Saving All My Love For You" was his take on the Whitney Houston song. Look, he's a good songwriter, and if there's an album of his that should be on this list, it's "Closing Time". This one is later in his career when his voice was beyond annoying. The album did get a little better with Jersey Girl, and started to grow on me a bit, only to then just annoy me to no end. The only thing keeping it from the 1 dustbin is I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would. And Jersey Girl. But I'd really like to see a more deserving album take this one's place.

Drunk voice.

Good Rock

If I feel eh about the most popular track on this album, I can feel I won't be as pumped for the remaining tracks. I don't know Tom Waits music very well, I know only of him from interviews. I'm going to take a guess that he's like the Lenny Bruce of music? He does blues, likely jazz type music.

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

Pretty good variety in sound. Vocals are ok.

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

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

Meh

Not sure on this. Not listened to Tom Waits before.

Someone get this guy a lozenge! Not a voice I want to listen to again.

I can't think of anything redeeming

Not good at all, didn't enjoy his voice or the music! Wanted to skip it

I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would. Musically on point and Waits is a great story teller, albeit a lot of the stories are sad, worn and bleak and seem to involve an abundance of drug dealers and prostitutes. Meanwhile Waits sounds like he smoked 100 cigarettes, swallowed a cup of gravel and then drank several bottles of really cheap whiskey before deciding he'd sing some songs. Your appreciation of this album may well depend on whether or not you can handle his 'singing' voice for forty five minutes.

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

Ok this one's really hard. I enjoyed the contrast of the jazzy and sometimes even whimsical music with the gritty skid row stories in a gravelly delivery. But while sometimes detailed, other times the lyrics were lazy and redundant and when the vocals went from gravelly to gutteral it became too much. Interesting listen though and I was intrigued throughout the album to continue listening for what was next.

After hearing the soundman of Answer me This banging on about Tom Waits for what feels like forever, this is the first time I'm listening to an album by this man consciously. A lot of lyrics about girls and prostitutes so far. And that trademark smoker's gravel. A bit too melodramatic for my tastes? His "rough and rumble" songs are better than his cheesy love ditties. 1. "Heartattack and Vine" 4:50 - Good 2. "In Shades" (Instrumental) 4:25 - Great instrumental 3. "Saving All My Love for You" 3:41 - MEH too cheesy 4. "Downtown" 4:45 - Back to some of the gravel of the first track, good. Weird golem like screech lol. 5. "Jersey Girl" 5:11 - Back to meh cheese Side Two No. Title Length 1. "'Til the Money Runs Out" 4:25 - Back to gravel, nice hammond organ bits 2. "On the Nickel" 6:19 - BACK TO CHEESE 3. "Mr. Siegal" 5:14- Ok, too many refs to whores imho 4. "Ruby's Arms" - A christmas song. No. Basically this album is a whiplash... Can only appreciate the more gravelly stuff.

this tommy waits fella sure can write a song