Tom Waits

Engine · 01-30-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

This. 100%

I also don't much understand the unrelenting passion for Bone Machine, but at least that album is rock solid.

Why don't you understand the unrelenting passion then? I'm not relentlessly passionate about Bone Machine myself, just curious.

I agree with the hit-or-miss thing, about all of his albums really. Most or maybe even all have some songs that I always find surprisingly cheesy or just bad.

OccultHawk · 01-30-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I agree that Swordfishtrombones is kind of an overrated album. I've always found it very hit-or-miss, but honestly I'd say the exact same thing about The Heart of Saturday Night. There are a bunch of good songs on there but a bunch of tracks I usually skip over as well.

Ain't neither one of them in the discussion about being anywhere near the best record ever. That's just plain lunacy.

**Janszoon** · 01-30-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I agree with the hit-or-miss thing, about all of his albums really. Most or maybe even all have some songs that I always find surprisingly cheesy or just bad.

For me the hit-or-miss thing really only applies to Swordfishtrombones, The Heart of Saturday Night, Blue Valentine, and Heartattack and Vine. And he only has two albums that are almost 100% miss for me, namely Foreign Affairs and Alice. The rest of his discography is pretty terrific overall to my ears.

zachsd · 01-31-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Swordfishtrombones, The Heart of Saturday Night

Yep, those are the two biggest hit or miss albums for me too. Although each of those albums have songs I absolutely love. I think Frank's Wild Years is one of my top 5 Tom Waits' songs. I've always had a soft spot for Diamonds on my Windshield too, maybe because it references freeways I drive on pretty much every week.

I love all the artsy-fartsy videos Tom Waits fans make to accompany his songs. Tom Waits fans can be pretty fanboyish.

TheBig3 · 02-01-2011, 06:54 AM

Jesus Christ, my spidey-sense is off the charts

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

Ain't neither one of them in the discussion about being anywhere near the best record ever. That's just plain lunacy.

Well, not that I'm a big fan of Rolling Stone, but they've listed HoSN as one of the top 3 if not the top (I don't recall). Its not one of my favorites but people do rate it that highly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

For me the hit-or-miss thing really only applies to Swordfishtrombones, The Heart of Saturday Night, Blue Valentine, and Heartattack and Vine. And he only has two albums that are almost 100% miss for me, namely Foreign Affairs and Alice. The rest of his discography is pretty terrific overall to my ears.

If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a troll. Your opinion is yours and thats fine, but for the record, those are generally two of the worst rated albums.

@Engine - I'm just shocked as many people like it as do. It seems like one of the least accessible albums there is.

**Janszoon** · 02-01-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a troll. Your opinion is yours and thats fine, but for the record, those are generally two of the worst rated albums.

I have to confess I'm very confused by this post. I mention what I think are his two weakest albums (Foreign Affairs and Alice) and you tell that's the general consensus. Where exactly would the suspected trolling come in here?

Howard the Duck · 02-01-2011, 07:27 AM

I only have the Frank's Wild Years trilogy but all three are great.

TheBig3 · 02-01-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I have to confess I'm very confused by this post. I mention what I think are his two weakest albums (Foreign Affairs and Alice) and you tell that's the general consensus. Where exactly would the suspected trolling come in here?

Ah, that would be a mis-read. All apologies.

Telephasic · 02-01-2011, 09:23 AM

I've listened so much to the man's music, that I've reached the point where I can enjoy all of his albums (even Foreign Affairs, 'Burma Shave' is an amazing song), except for One From The Heart; I can't stand Crystal Gayle. Alice was my favorite record when I began listening, and still is one of his best in my opinion. I love the Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht influences.

TheBig3 · 02-01-2011, 10:17 AM

Burma Shave is one of his best period. It sounds like you're saying its the worst of the worst. Some of the non-CG songs on OftH are pretty good, off the top of my head
"Broken Bicycles" is pretty amazing.

02-01-2011, 09:23 AM	#409 (permalink)
Telephasic Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 112	I've listened so much to the man's music, that I've reached the point where I can enjoy all of his albums (even Foreign Affairs, 'Burma Shave' is an amazing song), except for One From The Heart; I can't stand Crystal Gayle. Alice was my favorite record when I began listening, and still is one of his best in my opinion. I love the Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht influences. __________________ I am the one who loves changing from nothing to one Last edited by Telephasic; 02-01-2011 at 09:44 AM.

02-01-2011, 10:17 AM	#410 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Burma Shave is one of his best period. It sounds like you're saying its the worst of the worst. Some of the non-CG songs on OftH are pretty good, off the top of my head "Broken Bicycles" is pretty amazing. __________________ I've moved to a new address

02-01-2011, 07:27 AM	#407 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	I only have the Frank's Wild Years trilogy but all three are great.