Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Not for me
Yeah I do not like the gruff shouts of Tom Waits over often discordant tones. "Midtown" notable for having the most discordant tones, but no shouting.
I don't really get people who genuinely like this. hard to listen to his voice. Music grew on me a little but not enough to make me want to listen again.
This is the first album I was recommended and each song is very different than the others. This album spans a lot of different genres, from Jazz to Country. I’m not too familiar with UK culture in the 80’s, but this didn’t resonate with me much. I think the way I’ll rate each album is by comparing the number of songs I’d listen to again to the total number of songs, then converting them into the rating system. I’ll list each song I enjoyed and add the “rating” at the bottom. Tango Till They’re Sore Big Black Mariah Time Gun Street Girl Blind Love Anywhere I Lay My Head 6/19
Goofy ahh cartoon music
This album had me one minute then lost me the next - Big fan of the songs with the small town but something's not quite right vibe, not so much on the spooky scary skeleton songs.
Eh
Just don't understand why anyone would listen to this.
Some of this is alright, but the other parts are shit, and that's what will stop me from revisiting this at a later date. Also, can someone please get this man a Strepsil?
Weirdo musical vibes, kinda reminds me of the jungle book or something. Not for me.
There's nothing quite like Tom Waits. That voice... But the general funky percussion dirge of the sound is interesting. Despite being interesting, I can't take it (paired with his gravelly grumble of a voice) for a full album. It's like descending through New Orleans and going down to Hadestown. And down. And down. And down. But at last, after five albums (at least 2 too many), the Waits is over. With apologies to my college roommate, Tom Waits is another artist the 1001 has way overexposed me to who I will be avoiding for the foreseeable future.
The voodoo witch doctor (I picture Dr. Facilier in Princess and the Frog) vibes are strong here. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's interesting, but almost an hour of it is too much.
Bad music. Poor vocals. Sometimes it works, but not often.
I appreciate what this is but it isn’t for me.
Just not a tom waits guy
His best album I've heard so far. That's saying something. 🤡 music
Some good tunes, 19 songs is quite long, cracking voice
Terrible unserious clown music. I know he’s influential, I just cannot for the life of me understand why.
Not sure how I feel about this one. I still don't like his voice and many of these songs sound like they belong as the soundtrack for a weird Tim Burton movie. 2. And I feel like that's being generous.
Like a ROPE OF SAND.
I just don’t get it. The gravelly voice is interesting by man but beyond that is tedious at best.
1001 albums to kill yourself to
I tried.
Not for me
Didn’t really care for this one
Whenever Tom Waits gets on the marimba I become Dom Waits, as in “Dom waits for the song to be over”. I was kind of feeling Big Black Mariah and then he hit us with another Donkey Kong type beat. I think Tom is at his best when he’s outwardly sentimental, so I fuck with Time and Downtown Train heavy, the latter of which is practically a The Cars song lmao. At some points on this album it’s like he’s doing chamber pop Slipknot, and I surprisingly found myself appreciating it. This is better than Bone Machine. I should have given that a 1.
I think I understand what he’s trying to do and certainly think it’s a unique sound but I just don’t like to listen to it. It’s like deconstructed folk with an old timey feel. The type of music you put on at the end of the night to get everyone to leave the party
Scooby doo treasure island
Feels like a soundtrack to a Tim Burton film.
Not giving it a 1 because I see the appeal. But I just don’t really like Tom Waits.
Not for me
O que é isso?
Some of the most unique music I’ve ever heard but that doesn’t make it good.
Holy fuck what a strange album
I don't get it, I feel like I'm missing context or something? DNF, wouldn't relisten
Someone give this man a lozenge.
Once, I was delivering pizzas on a rainy summer night in Phoenix, Arizona, struggling to find the house numbers in the dark. 9th and Hennepin came on while I listened to this album and I was very scared. I like Waits when he sings songs, and I don't like him when he's spooky or weird. This one has incredible songs, but far too few of them. I don't think I'd have been as scared had Downtown Train or Blind Love come on when I couldn't find that house.
Tom Waits certainly keeps me waiting...for something to liven up on his albums. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I just cannot vibe with what he wants me to vibe with. I understand the appeal, but these albums seem to be hell bent on boring me to death.
what the hell is this
Enjoyed a couple of the songs, but ultimately didnt do it for me. I appreciated the subject matter, but the musical style wasnt for me
didn't listen super in depth: jockey full ofbourbon was my favorite song, or time. new strange sound. doesn't sound like eightes. Cool, but not my thing.
I can maybe understand the inclusion of one Tom Waits’ album in this list but this is getting painful now.
Just not my thing, but sure is unique. Like an avant garde Bruce Springsteen in my opinion who is influenced by Dr John and the whole New Orleans sound.
Not for me
Like a bad pirate love song
I want to like Waits’ music, I really do. But I don’t and it’s unlikely that I ever will. I’d love to have pints with him though. 4.2/10
Almost didn't make it through the first song ... in fact, I skipped ahead after only a minute in. The rest wasn't so bad. But, He's not going on my list of must listen to's ...
weird
I think this list has taught me that I’ve transitioned past enjoying Tom Waits. And I mean that literally. Tom Waits appeals to precocious young men in liberal arts programs who think that their desire to become an alcoholic novelist makes them interesting, smart, and better than you. They believe the rules don’t apply to them, and Tom Waits, in his endless journey of I-don’t-give-a-fuck-ery, speaks to these types of young men intellectually, and maybe even emotionally. But there’s no emotion to this bullshit; it’s just Waits taking the piss, and that’s funny, and sometimes leads down interesting avenues where he finds the capital-A Art™️ in kitschy Tin Pan Alley music, but none of it seems to come from a place of sincerity. It’s edge lord music for 19 year old boys who fancy themselves tortured poets just because they black out at house parties and don’t know how to talk to women, let alone anyone, without referencing Plato for some goddamn reason even though they’ve never read a sentence Plato wrote. Which sucks, because occasionally, Tom Waits is also a folk singer, a piano player at the bar downtown that feels nicer than a dive bar but is still populated with townies going nowhere, and he sings them songs about how he is also a townie going nowhere. This was always the Tom Waits I loved most, and when he comes out on Rain Dogs, I wonder if I’m being too harsh, because those moments are genuinely enjoyable (although they’re never so amazing that they win me over completely, and they’re way too infrequent). But then he’ll go back to piss-take carnival barker bullshit, and I realize that the year I pretended to like Tom Waits after only listening to Closing Time was all posturing, all part of the worst period in my life when I tried so hard to lean into being masculine, much to the detriment of my mental and physical health. Now, as a full grown adult woman, I can’t help but find this shit deeply insufferable, adolescent, and toxic. I’m too much of a Doll to give a fuck about the drunk ramblings of an edge lord.
I struggle with Tom Waits. There are glimmers of a top tune or a good vocal and then it all goes quite odd and it’s a no. Great lyrics though. He would make a great poet. I feel the same about Leonard Cohen
Not really my cup of tea. Some of it was alright.
So unique. HIs plethora of short songs all feel like scenes in a larger performance that I don't necessarily grasp.
Strange album. Not always in a good way. Appreciate the various genres attempted, but it sometimes makes the album feel disjointed. 2/5 Won’t listen again
what is this, the peaky blinders theme song?
Three Tom Waits albums in now, I just don’t see the appeal. His voice and style is weird, which is great and all, but it doesn’t make good music to me. I really would not like to go back and listen to many of these songs. At its most interesting the album sounds like the soundtrack for an evil villain in a kids movie. Fave Tracks: Time, Downtown Train 2.4/5
I didn't hate it but I was done with it by the end. One and done.
Sounds like I accidentally hit play on the Nighmare Before Christmas soundtrack. Having said that there are some redeeming songs. Not a fan of the whispy distant vocals on some of the tracks.
Just a bunch of silly Sesame Street bordello songs and Halloween tunes. Feels like puppets are singing and playing along to every clink clank beat and junkyard rhythm. Even prettier ballads like Time, Downtown Train and Blind Love are a bit comically overwrought and hard to take totally seriously. The vocals on Blind Love are absolutely outrageous by the way. Like the Cookie Monster trying to crap out a massive boulder. The last song Anywhere I Lay My Head is the Cookie Monster crapping out another boulder whilst transforming into a werewolf with Last Post military brass playing underneath. Super eclectic overall but sunk to 2.5 stars because half the tracks are really annoying.
That voice.
It starts off sounding like someone lost their voice and is still trying to sing. Then, it ends sounding like a dying Bruce Springsteen.
hated it at first, grew to like it kinda not really. 3.5/10
I wasn't sure what to rate this, but pretty sure I didn't want to listen to it again.
Мюзикл про грустного сатану получился
I don’t know if I vibe with this interestingness.
i can’t begin to work out what this album is trying to be. at times it’s a spooky, halloweeny type, then it’s a melancholy, introspective story - such as the track “time”, the only one i really enjoyed - and i can’t figure out what i initially aimed to be. none of the tracks are particularly memorable, writing this the day after, and for the most part i was either bored or confused.
I cam dig the smokey lounge singer. I loved nighthawk. I can't do the kitchen-sink carney approach. Some of these songs were comically bad. Not a Tom Waits guy. Saved Songs: - Clap Hands
I like early TW not so much after seventies
I managed to know who Tom Waits was, but never really listen to his music at all until this point. The first two songs immediately made me think of The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack for some reason. Otherwise the rest of the album was just okay to me. Nothing much to write about it.
This is not the album to introduce people to Tom Waits. Small Change and Closing Time are "better" albums. Rain Dogs was hard to get through...
Too weird
Two Tom Waits albums in as many weeks is too Tom's too many thanks. Actually even one was over my limit. Two stars too.
There are moments when I think I like it but they always go away.
Average
Ooga Booga-musik
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
I just don't get it
Silly but better than Bone Machine.
Didn’t really care for this on the whole.
Uniquely different, creative, & definitely not my thing.
Interesting and theatrical but not my cup of tea :(
I couldn't do it
Fucking hell why is Tom waits so unbearable. I can't get on board and there so many albums. I'm happy to accept I am ignorant and just don't know it. But I remain unmoved. Irritating.
Sometimes I love Tom Waits, sometimes I can't stand him. I definitely struggle to listen to a whole album...
what the hell was this
Very well produced I will admit but this just wasn't for me. I was thoroughly confused from start to finish
A real alternative listening-experience. Sometimes weired, sometimes interesting and always with a driving beat. That´s why I´m doing this project - but definitive not a every day choice. 2,5
I enjoy Tom Waits, but I have to be in a certain mood to listen
Tom Waits? The actor? I’ve always found Tom to have a voice that is very polarizing and a loving billboard of why not to smoke. But then again he’s a famous musician and somewhat of an actor. So maybe that means smoking is that cool. If you like older, emphysema sounding music this album is for you. For me it’s not all that great. 4.7/10
Agree it us one to listen to before I die. It is unusual, - a very unique voice and interesting intelligent lyrics -just not my bag
I never knew Danny Elfman had an alias
I don't get Tom Waits. He sounds like Bruce on steroids. I don't get Bruce either.
funky monkey Halloween music besides 1st half way better than 2nd half.
I do not like his voice
Have you ever been to the “House on the Rock” in Wisconsin? It’s the home of an eccentric man who assembled a very eclectic, sometimes haunting, sometimes beautiful, mostly bizarre collection. You either love it, or you hate it. I feel like this album is the musical equivalent. I just didn’t get it. Although I give it an extra star because of “Downtown Train.”
Lyrically interesting, musically disjointed
Quirky to say the least, interesting, but not really my cup of tea.
As with Dylan, I prefer covers of Waits songs to the originals.
Eccentric hurdy-gurdy from someone that’s living inside a Tim Burton movie. Niche.
Not for me
Low, raspy voice with kinda folky guitar/percussion. Very slow, didn't catch me that much
This album reminded me of those animal books you could order thru the commercials, zoobooks?? idk about this one dawg...
Bourbon voice. This is how I imagine New Orleans sounds like.
I liked this better than some of the others. How many more to come?
This dude has seen some shit Most of this sounds like it would be playing in some smoky underground club where all the spooky creatures hang out in a dark animated movie. While I couldn't get past his singing at all, I thought his range in styles/genres was impressive
Tom waits seems like a creepy fucking guy. Album was kind of a drag to listen to. 2.5 stars
Found this one to be slightly more 'listen-able' but I really just can't get over his voice. Not a big fan. 2.5
Yeah, still not a fan of Waits. The music and lyrics are interesting and the album is wicked eclectic with style, but not an enjoyable sonic experience for me
This album has higher highs but lower lows than bone machine. I think Waits’ voice is less forced in this album, but I’m still not a fan. DNF.
Nie bałdzo
Her: I'm gonna pull a Tom Waits song out of my ass RIGHT NOW: On a Thursday the rivers run raw His garbage mitt can't catch the claw The jailer-man don't obey no law He planned it out, he killed his Ma On Friday all the beggars fry A rat-burger below the bigger sky And now and again amongst the rye We make all your mamas cry There ya go. I'll be back later to pick up my Grammy.
Maybe for some. Not for me.
This album was okay. I did enjoy some tracks but I was not impressed with it. Tom Waits' signature gravelly voice is impressive but the bluesy, experimental sounds did not work well in my opinion. I would at least recommend a single listen before judging. Favorite Song(s): "Cemetary Polka", "Jockey Full of Bourbon", "Gun Street Girl"
sounds just like early Primus... and then I remembered he is the voice of Tommy the Cat! But ooof... there are apparently 5 "tom waits" albums in this list meanwhile Madonna, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Eagles, Chili Peppers all only have TWO.
Not my cup of tea, but would be fine in the background
This is the 5th Tom Waits album on this list. Completely unnecessary. He didn't shit gold with every album or really any album. I just don't get it. Sure it is completely different from mainstream music but this many albums? I do the appreciate the humor and making fun of other styles of music but it is rough.
Gear: Moondrop Variations Mix: ungewöhnliche, gut im Raum abgebildete Instrumentierung Music: teils zu dissonant, aber immer interessant. Kein riesen Fan von Waits' Vocals Rating: 2/5
I can understand how Tom Waits style, particularly with this album, at the time it was released, would be something extraordinary. Unfortunately, I only liked one song on the album, "Downtown Train." Otherwise, it was a chore to listen through due to the style of the music that sounded more like a soundtrack for a film about Carny Music. I have no doubts about Tom Waits skill as a lyricist and songwriter, but I would rather listen to something more stripped down or more of a rock tilt.
Carnie music for real, his voice is too deep and scratchy for my liking but I can see the influence
its alrght
I’m not enthralled with the clank toot of Wait’s 80s music, but this does keep to his “gutter” blues style on the whole.
Very surprising and unique, but the voice isn’t quite it.
Weird. Not my style
didn't listen
Tom Waits' voice is grating at the best of times, sounding like someone who has smoked a pack a day since birth, and chooses to gargle broken glass and barbed wire. At points on this album, it sounds like a drunken lunatic screaming into the night. Many songs on this album are just strange, like Halloween music, the use of marimba, and the electric guitar stabs combined with staccato notes makes for creepy, yet comical at the same time, music that could be the soundtrack to the Munsters. Other songs sound like a New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, or one of their famous Jazz Funerals. The one song I recognized was "Downtown Train" I thought he was doing an awful cover of the Rod Stewart hit, but apparently I was mistaken and this is a case of a cover being far superior to the original. I did not enjoy this, I'm not sure who would voluntarily listen to this album.
Odd
I’m really not a fan, 2 stars for being unique though.
Weird moments where it kinda breaches something cool but doesn't stay there long enough to make this worth listening to.
A bit like Tim Burton's Boogeyman.
Interesting but not really my thing
Cantautor americano con voz profunda, a ratos parece que contando relatos. Algo rítmico y con pocos instrumentos.
I didn’t know what to expect, but this surprised me. It wasn’t horrible, but it’s not something I’d willingly listen to.
Tämmöne juopporokki vähä vituttaa. Osa biiseistä ok.
Vakava känni_äiä_ukko uuh. Ei vaan jaksa.
I dunno, it's okay I guess and I respect Mr. Waits, but I don't think I'll be returning to this one willingly.
I really want to like this because it's so interesting, but I can't lie to myself.
I still think he sounds constipated and he's really baring down on that shit while singing at the same time.
I had a lot of trouble and turnoffs with this guy. Most of all the vocal performance, sounding like someone who just ate about an ashtray worth off cigarettes. But also the general sound they go for in the songs. It’s too I don’t know, dark, grim, jazzy, I didn’t connect with the sound unfortunately. 3 out of 10
I reckon this is a voice you either love or hate. Can’t say I’m a fan. As a note, I don’t like marmite either.
Not a fan
Haven’t listened much of Tom Waits before and most likely won’t listen after this album either
I didn’t hate it, but it’s a bit too vaudeville and goofy for my tastes. I can definitely see that it has a time and a place but none of it stands out as something I’d regularly return to.
veldig rart og minne litt om kaizers innimellom
My fifth and final Tom Waits album. I can't believe this guy got so much space. I just don't get it. I didn't hate this as much as the other albums, but he still got super annoying in a lot of tracks. Never going to listen to him again.
Can't stand his voice
Couldn’t take this album very seriously. It sounded like novelty music. I get why some people may like it and it’s experimental sound, but I hated it
So many eclectic styles in one album. Some people hate his voice. I think it’s quite cool. Just can’t stand the tracks with the extremely 80s saxophones and the carnival style songs.
Singapore sounds so much like Colonel Hathi's March from The Jungle Book that I actually looked up whether or not Tom Waits was part of the soundtrack. Anyway back to this album. Same as it ever was for him: gritty singer singing over non-gritty instrumentals. I hate his voice, and I mostly like the background. There did not need to be 3 (and counting? 😩) albums of his in this exercise.
Its interesting, but not my thing. Nothing really stoodout to me, sometimes reminding me of like an Addams Family or Tim Burton soundtrack.
Välillä tuntui parodialta mitä on humalassa veistelty. Levyllä oli mielenkiintosia kohtia jotka piti mielenkiintoa mutta ei kestänyt loppuun
This is just odd. The music. The lyrics. The vocals. Just odd.
I still don't know what to make of Tom Waits. I know I said this last time, but I still need more time to form an opinion. I feel like I SHOULD like this, but I just wasn't feeling it today. And let’s be honest, I probably never will.
This is a yard sale of albums. A random assortment of junk with a couple scratched up gems mixed in.
Really not sure what to think of this album.
Whenever I listen to Tom Waits it just makes me want to read his poetry instead. Can't really get into this one with his vocals over "carnival" style songs.
Interesting lyrics and many tunes had a circus like vibe. His gritty voice is unique but I’ve never really seen the appeal for his music overall
strange sounded like children’s film music a lot of the time
Not for me
Don't think I'll ever be a Waits fan, but this is certainly the most listenable thus far.
Wasn't a fan of this
вообще не понимаю Тома Уэйтса
Too gruff. Though I like him as an actor.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: not really, felt and sounded like just a lot of nothing really? Favourite song: didn’t have one
Only two songs I'd ever listen to again.
Singapore? WTF. Clap Hands? OK, this I like. The rest? I don't know. What is Midtown doing there after a song where Tom Waits tries to sing like a dog? What a wild ride.
A bit off the wall but i really just can't stand his voice so it was a struggle!
me gustaron muy pocos temas
this is the best album associated with captain beefheart
Not a fan of his voice, or his attempts for songs to be "weird"
This album was very hit or miss for me. Overall, I enjoy the concept and I think it's effective in capturing a dirty NYC. I also really enjoyed Tom Waits' vocals regardless of the track, and the lyrics and imagery were constant highlights. The more blues-inspired tracks were astounding, and I kind of wish they were more present on the record. Bangers like Big Black Maria and Gun Street Girl add a folksy edge to some awesome blues rock, and tracks like Time, Blind Love, and Diamonds and Gold are so packed with emotion, in the lyrics, vocals, and atmosphere. What really brings the record down for me is the more polka/sea shanty inspired tracks, which unfortunately are what most of this record is especially in the first half. I'm already not a huge polka fan, but these tracks especially felt ver melodramatic theater-core. The singing was always great, but it wasn't enough to save those tracks. Overall, a very hit-or-miss record.
A good bit more tolerable than Heartattack and Vine, but it still just sounds like someone doing a bit.
did not like. listened to like 4 songs and couldnt listen to anymore lol
Damn, Tom Waits album number four. As usual, the guy sounds like a cartoon skeleton singing in a jazz bar in a Tim Burton movie. There were a couple songs on here that I actually enjoyed, but quite a few others that are frankly unbearable. In other words, the usual. Favorite tracks: Gun Street Girl, Clap Hands, Anywhere I Lay My Head (hilarious vocal performance). Album art: I like this style, it reminded me of London Calling and maybe a Smiths album? The bright font border is cool, nothing else to keep this in my brain though. 2.5/5
I think I like the idea of Waits music more than I like actually listening to it.
Sideshow Bob vibes on a couple tracks.
Too odd for me, couldn’t get into it
Weird weird, but some nice
Like the story-telling but not really the instrumental. Reminds me of music from medieval times.
Not my favorite
Very interesting, but not my cup of tea. Such a distinct voice. 2/5
weird. felt like i was at a circus. that said, his version of Downtown Train is my favorite.
Kan fortfarande inte "fatta" Tom Waits. Min tidigare review gäller då albumet fortfarande känns kaos och många låtar håller inte.
Never heard of this one! here are some of my thoughts throughout the listening: already sounds fun! could be in an old movie if it isn't already. this dude could be a voice actor as a disney villain. very interesting.. alright, i did some research and some of these songs are in a soundtrack to a movie if i understood right! interesting beats and interesting voice! "Hang Down Your Head" and "Union Square" are probably my favs Not something i would put on my playlist but as an experience cool! Overall 2/5, not really my thing
There’s some artistic value here I guess but not for me and isn’t really any different than bone machine, has no business being the first artist I’ve seen twice and this barely gets the second star
His voice is annoying
Tom Waits has an amazing voice but the songs cant’t awe me.
Most of these seem like the soundtrack to being shitfaced drunk, stumbling through New Orleans and falling face down into various gutters. Strange music played on randomly chosen instruments and sung by a crazy old pirate.
Not my vibe, great inspiration for the crusties, buskers, and folk punkers though. A tough listen but a couple decent sounds out of the bunch: Big Black Mariah, Clap Hands, Hang Down Your Head, Anywhere I Lay My Head. I don't see myself revisiting this.
This may have been more compelling if I was deeper through the list, but it was a bit strong for my pallet.
Mér fannst þetta bara einhvernveginn drep leiðinlegt. Var kannski ekki vel peppaður í þetta.
If Tim Burton had a lechy old uncle who lived under a bridge and accosted passersby for cigarettes and viagra, this is what that guy's album would sound like. It doesn't feel good. It doesn't sound good. It's just not good. Tom Waits. What a hack.
this fucking sucks
Weird. I can see the appeal. Chaotic but still organized? Idk man
This'll hit a whole lot better in October... weird spooky vibes. Not sure if I really HAD to hear this before I died, but whatevs. Okay it's getting more normal (Hang Down Your Head and Time) NEVERMIND WE BACK This isn't a bad album at all. I like the more regular songs. As a whole album, it doesn't resonate with me though, and I don't imagine I'll revisit it a whole lot in the future.
Variatie graag! Ik hoef echt geen drie platen van Tom Waits te horen voor ik doodga. Doe mij dan ter afwisseling maar iets van Feist of Moloko ofzo.
This was the rejected initial soundtrack for Tim Burton's "The Corpse Bride."
First, let the record show this is the 4th Waits album served to me by this list. Obviously, its authors hold Waits in very high regard. As for me, this was my usual Waits experience: a left of centre album that works at a different wavelength to mine. Sometimes this is the recipe for a hit, but not this time.
Like a wading motorist, I was taken by surprise by this one. And not in a good way. Too piratey/carnivaly to enjoy. Yo ho
What a bizarre listening experience. Am I at a musical circus?
Album chiant
je viens d'apprendre que 5 albums de Tom Waits sont dans le classement je suis dévastée
Not a fan of this album, I think I liked maybe one song.
Reminiscent of a dark musical, perhaps less connected. Raspy with percussive undertones. Tough to listen to at times.
The most enjoyable of Waits albums I’ve come across while doing this, while I was nicely surprised of not hearing him trying to puke over the microphone in any of the songs, I was very baffled when I noticed I had been on this for 13 songs and had still 6 to go.. props for not regurgitating on the mic until “union square” and for publishing this kind of music while everybody else was with that new wave shit. Again, and I hope for the last time: I hope he damaged his vocal cords while recording (some of) this shit.
"Singapore" sounds like if Leonard Cohen were trying to sing in the style of "The Monster Mash" but right after smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. "Clap Hands" was just weird and I can't believe there is a polka song following it. I listened to the rest of the album, but I couldn't be bothered to trying to assess it any further. I can see how some people like him. I am not one of those people. His voice is just gross to me. The music isn't terrible, but it's simple. Maybe his four other entries on this list are better, maybe I'm finally just accepting that Robert Dimery is a bad music critic.
no no no no no no, weird ass shit
2
I like this much less than the previous TW album we had. In places, sounds like a parody of himself - the opening track in particular is pretty painful to listen to. That said, I do really like his voice when he doesn't try to go too fast/jolly with the music. Hang Down Your Head works nicely, and Downtown Train is superb. There's too much weirdness on this album for me, which keeps it firmly in the 2 category.
Not a big fan, but it's unique.
Still never understood the love for this album.
Lyrically intretsing, my main thought however was this should have been the soundtrack for the rip off version of nightmare before christmas
Unusual, not necessarily in a bad way. I do like some of the instrumentation, and there a couple of okay tracks. It's way too long for me to sit through all of it though
Interesting, but not for me
I now know how people who go 'Bob Dylan - great songs but unlistenable' feel. I've tried with Tom, I really have. There are some good songs here, hence the 2. But that voice. Like someone gargling gravel. And - my bad for thinking this - there's a bit of me that feels that offstage he speaks like Niles Crane.
Its more interesting than it is enjoyable. Was pretty hard to listen to in full. I got one of his jazz albums early on in this journey and I don't like the change in vocals here, but appreciate its something different with experimental rock. Some songs were pretty good to listen, the title track for instance was decent. Downtrain Train was the best song on here.
This was a strange album. I didn't really like it but the style of music is not my favorite. It will not be on my music rotation.
No me cayó.
I want to love this but I can't stand the guy's voice
The first half of the album sounds like it was made for adults with Disney tattoos and the later parts feel like a parody of something better. 1.5
too much cohen like... not sure!
Some Ronnie B weirdness
This album feels like Tom Waits being too smart for his own good. A mish mash of styles make it feel like it lacks the cohesion of bone machine
There is some really good, and quite varied, stuff on here, although the vocal doesn't always fit. On Bone Machine, Waits' gravelly, discordant voice perfectly matched the hellish, doomey tone of the album. On here, it only works on a handful of songs, leaving the rest quite hard work. The album is certainly not without merit, and a range of styles is often to be admired, but in Waits' case, he might be best keeping it dark. 2/5.
Weird stuff. It sounds like it should be the soundtrack to the show Carnivale or a really cheesy Disney ride. I didn't really care for the songs, but they're going to be stuck in my head for the next week. Props to TW for being original.
Unique. Creepy Halloween vibes.
Meh
Shit
While the initial lure of this LP's odd vocals and compositions is strong, it quickly dies out due to the one-trick-pony aspect. Most tracks blend into one another with little distinction and fail to provide a good hook into the album at large.
Tom Waits is really hit or miss from me. And this was mostly miss.
i'm sorry. I can't. I tried
I don't mind Tom Waits generally speaking, but this album was a bit too 'special' for my taste to really enjoy it
Pretty kooky and eccentric, I can see the humorous side of it but not my cup of tea.
This is my first time listening to Tom Waits and can't say I liked it. Maybe if I listen to other things from him I could accustom my ear.
Usually like Tom Waits, but somehow couldn't get too much out of this one. Too avantgarde
Not something I would ever listen to
3/10
Find his stuff interesting and unique but not for me. Clap Hands added to the playlist
I’m just not a Tom Waits kind of guy.
A lot better than the last of his albums we listened to. He actually sang on a few and I enjoyed that better than his normal approach. But I will never intentionally listen to this again
Weird. Like really weird.
Clap Hands
Very unique voice. Not really something I can imagine wanting to listen to again.
Eine Stimme wie eine Käsereibe.
Gonna give this a 2 bc I thought the overall sound of the album was cool but I didn't really like any of the songs. Only listened once, so def didn't do it justice, but it is what it is
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Jockey Full of Bourbon, Hang Down Your Head, Time, Rain Dogs Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: I appreciate that this album doesn't try to smuggle its weirdness in halfway through and that you know right away what you're getting into. I did not particularly enjoy it, but I did appreciate it.
Meh, I'm over Tom Waits
Very weird and I barely noticed songs passing when I listened.
Not without merits but not my thing. Some decent songs but just couldn’t get to grips with the style. Favourite song-Hang down your head
way weirder than i thought
Chiant as fuck
Not a fan. Wish I could be. One day maybe.
gave me monster mash vibes
I like Tom Waits but this album didn’t do it for me
I knew Tom Waits was a little strange, but this was too strange for me.
This isnt for me. I'm not sure why but I couldnt get into it. Nothing stood out
Not for me.
Doet weinig voor me
Toilet sounds.
I know tom waits is a legend but I couldn’t really listen to this album, his voice and way of singing made me uncomfortable somehow. Which doesn’t make sense, I just think it was an album that felt unfinished and badly mixed, which is overly harsh
this fucking sucks. on another day this may have gotten a 2 because of the band, but not today. DNF
very random and trippy, I didn't like it that much. There are some good melodies now and then, or things I like but wouldn't listen to.
I feel like the style isn’t for me, I can’t dance to it or chill listening to it.
Having this and Trout Mask Replica back-to-back was certainly an experience
My 3rd or 4th album by Waits and I just don't get it. It's shit.
A weird cool album yet sounds dreadful to my ears
genuinely a borderline unlistenable album. his voice was absolutely impossible for me to enjoy and this whole thing almost sounded like a joke album. will not be giving a favourite song, as i didn't enjoy any of the songs more than just tolerance.
Tom Waits sucks.
Before starting this project I thought that maybe I liked Tom Waits. Like there were a few songs that I thought were ok. When I got his weird fake live lounge album I figured that it was from an early era of Tom Waits the I didn't like. Now that I got this awful circus vibe album I am beginning to think that no, I do not in fact like Tom Waits.
5: 4: Crime of the Century, Arrival 3: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Court and Spark 2: Ramones 1: Rain Dogs
Meh
I had the misfortune of drawing two Tom Waits albums in a row. And while Tom may wait, in this case I can not.
I cannot get my head around Tom Waits. Utterly dreadful.
How much more of this do I have to endure? And I thought Swordfishtrombones was bad. Well, first of all, words can't even begin to describe how much I hate that album cover. 'Time' is actually a decent song. The rest, though... I can't explain it, honestly. It's so much, yet nothing at the same time. It ranges from some bad song made for an indie horror mascot game to circus vibes to straight-up how I imagine a question mark would sound. I just hate it; I don't want to add anything more. Just make the suffering end already.
i listened to 5 songs and i couldnt finish.
What the hell is this. Pirate music??
I knew he was a “either you love him or hate him” artist but I didn’t know it was because he sounded like that. Genuinely so fucking funny. How are some of you listening to this seriously. He sounds like the troll that lives under that bridge. Tom waits for those goats to cross over. He’s mates with the laughing gnome. What the hell is this.
Is there a medication you take before listening to Waits to make his voice enjoyable? Is it a conspiracy against me and my tastes? It's April 1, so perhaps April Fools? I just don't get it, and I suppose I never will.
forse come soundtrack ha / avrebbe del potenziale ma così è impossibile da ascoltare per me
Basta tom waits
I hate him, he sounds like a drunk person with bronchitis
It’s like being forced to listen to Tim Burton’s brain.
I will never, ever understand the appeal. He has the voice of a character in a cartoon designed to be irritating. Unlistenable.
No me gusto. Se mantiene siempre igual.
what even is this
In a bit of a bad mood when listening
Bad... really bad
ANOTHER goddamned Tom Waits album?!? Might as well change it to "1001 Tom Waits Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". So I skimmed this one and the music is a shade more interesting than other TW albums we've had to endure. Still sucks, though.
No
STOP Tom Waits
Fuck Tom Waits.
DNF. Conceptually love the lyrics and approach to production. In actuality, unlistenable. Listened to: NYC to Denver flight
Couldn’t listen to it all the way its that bad wtf is this?
Marimba, niet m’n ding
Kom meg ikke lengre enn til cemetary polka. Dette er som å høre en dårlig Tim Burton-film. Pass. Hørt på vegen langt utpå vidda.
60.
What the fuck
This is my 2nd Tom Waits album. I am not any more impressed than the first time. The first song sounds like "This Is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas, a movie I really don't care about. I will probably never like an album by this man, sorry I saw someone online say Cameron Winter's voice reminds them of Tom Waits, and in reading this I first thought they were crazy but my second thought was "huh, okay, maybe I'll give Tom Waits another try." Yeah, still no thank you.
HATE HIS VOICE
Tim Burton movie about the bayou soundtrack music, until you get to the part where he turns into absolutely hammered Bruce Springsteen on "Downtown Train" (and others).
Dogshit.
Not an artist I enjoy listening to. I see others really rate this artist but for me it's a miss