Tom Waits - Bad As Me

[someonecompletelyrandom]

Originally Posted by TheBig3

i think it was a slicked-up blood money, as interesting as any other sinner who's become born again - which is to say not at all.

I liked 2 or 3 but they wouldn't be in my top 25 songs I'd imagine (haven't really done that chart though.)

Personally, I f'ing loved Blood Money. This one seemed to fall short of that album for me. It was great as a whole, there just weren't many memorable moments in particular, like God's Away On Business or Misery is the River of the World from Blood Money.

[TheBig3]

Originally Posted by Conan

Personally, I f'ing loved Blood Money. This one seemed to fall short of that album for me. It was great as a whole, there just weren't many memorable moments in particular, like God's Away On Business or Misery is the River of the World from Blood Money.

But thats what I mean. Slicked-up wasn't a good thing. I think Blood Money got its personality from its ragged, shambling presence on songs where the protagonist had those qualities. Even songs that were incomplete from BM like "Another Man's Vine" were carried by the production value and vocals adding an extra dimension.

BAM strikes me as someone faking it. Or not that interesting to begin with. There are songs, few strike me as mattering, and its like Blood Money's kid brother tried to get in on the act and ride the last name to stardom.

[someonecompletelyrandom]

Originally Posted by TheBig3

But thats what I mean. Slicked-up wasn't a good thing. I think Blood Money got its personality from its ragged, shambling presence on songs where the protagonist had those qualities. Even songs that were incomplete from BM like "Another Man's Vine" were carried by the production value and vocals adding an extra dimension.

BAM strikes me as someone faking it. Or not that interesting to begin with. There are songs, few strike me as mattering, and its like Blood Money's kid brother tried to get in on the act and ride the last name to stardom.

I could see that. The production of Waits albums has always been one of my favorite things about his career, as they seem to have character all their own and certainly for me are a big part of his appeal. I suppose the production on Bad As Me is a lot more slick, even his growl seems a little glossed over.

As far as getting into Waits for the first time, a lot of people will say Swordfishtrombones, but as a newbie I found Mule Variations the most listenable. From there it was Bone Machine, and from there everything else.

[TheBig3]

Originally Posted by Conan

I could see that. The production of Waits albums has always been one of my favorite things about his career, as they seem to have character all their own and certainly for me are a big part of his appeal. I suppose the production on Bad As Me is a lot more slick, even his growl seems a little glossed over.

As far as getting into Waits for the first time, a lot of people will say Swordfishtrombones, but as a newbie I found Mule Variations the most listenable. From there it was Bone Machine, and from there everything else.

This.

I bought Mule Variations first after hearing "House where Nobody lives."

Swordfish trombones might have been revolutionary when it came out in, what, the early 80's? But now its like anything else I watch on VHS. It doesn't hold up. And it doesn't have the song craft of other 80's albums.