i've never heard any tom waits. what's he like? where should i start if i wanted to check him out (songs and albums)?
It depends where you're coming from.
His earlier stuff is quite traditional (blues, jazzy type stuff) yet with his unique voice and lyrics.
Post-Swordfishtrombones, in the 80s, his music has been more experimental...whilst staying true to what has made him so unique. Even today, (I just heard his new single "Lie To Me" and the song "Road To Peace" off the new album), he is making truly stunning work. He has never been about having hit-singles, so nothing he does is nostalgic. He is aged 56 and is still putting out some of the most truly brilliant music around... and for that alone, he is worthy of a lot of respect.
As for his general style... its poetic, yet sleazy,... gritty...witty. A true genius. And when he sings he's like an actor.. you BELIEVE him and what he's saying, because of the way he uses his voice (and uses his body onstage). His voice itself, he can manipulate in any way he wants: from a deep, grinding, gravelly baritone... to a squeaking falsetto he jokingly calls his "Prince voice", although he has been known to use spoken-word styles, a grating 'bark' and a wailing scream as well... whatever suits the song.
Blue Valentines is a SUPERB beginners album. It starts off with a cover of "Somewhere" from West Side Story, then takes you on a whole adventure through many different approaches. 'Romeo Is Bleeding' is a New York story of a street-kid who still keeps his cool, whilst dying from his fight-wounds. '$29.00' is one of the best uses of narrative in song I can think of: the story of a girl who runs away from home with just $29.00 and an alligator purse... accompanied with some great bluesy guitar lines. The final track, from which the album gets its name, 'Blue Valentines', is uneasily slow and almost serene in the way it weaves its dark tale. Try that album for size.
Swordfishtrombones was where he first began experimenting, obvious right from the monotonous barking of opener, 'Underground'. Other standout tracks include: "In The Neighbourhood", "Frank's Wild Years", and the title track.
Bone Machine features Brain from GNR on percussion on some tracks, as well as the original "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" (done very well by The Ramones.) Opener "The Earth Died Screaming" is one of MY favourites, it has this creepy spoken-word verse take, with what sounds like gargled, angry gospel on the chorus. Going Out West and Murder In The Red Barn are also cool.
His new album looks great, a 3-disk set, "Orphans: Bawlers, Brawlers and Bastards"... 54 songs, 30 brand new, others have been used in films and things, all falling into three categories, which are arranged acrossed the disks "Bawlers" "Brawlers" and "Bastards" (or thats the impression I've got, anyhow?) It looks amazing
