r/tomwaits

I don’t really hear this album talked about as much as his other great albums. But I honestly think this might be my favorite album by him.

Anyone else?

I think Swordfishtrombones outshines Rain Dogs!

People often credit RD as the definitive post-1983 Tom Waits statement, but I'd argue Swordfishtrombones has the tighter sonic identity.

I don't agree when an common argument is Rain Dogs is the mature completion of SFT. Swordfish was already artistically and sonically complete on its own terms.

Both are incredible records, but, I feel what Tom achieved with critical acclaim on Rain Dogs was already more coherent, interesting, genre and artistically solidified on SFT.

Let's discuss!

I’ve just started what I feel will be a lifelong journey with the music of Tom Waits.

Started with Swordfishtrombones and Raindogs and was taken aback by the sound, then went on to Mule Variations and have been hopping all over the place listening to albums start to finish.

Some of the more experimental tunes that were somewhat confronting only a few days ago I’ve started to get a taste for, but generally I’ve been coming back for the straightforward poetic power in so many of his lyrics.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I feel like I’ve struck gold and I’d like to know of any other artists you guys have had this feeling with?? For me maybe Randy Newman (pre soundtrack era), the Beach Boys, Beatles, John Prine, Jake Xerxes Fussell and Zeppelin in my teens. Oh and of course Bob Dylan! Interested to see what you guys think!

P.s. never heard anything even close to Anywhere I Lay My Head.

Random thought that popped into my head this morning. The only recording we have of this song is from Big Time.

For all practical purposes, a studio version of the song should be on Orphans, but in fact is not. I was wondering if there was a story behind this that I wasn't aware of.

My picks:

1. Mule Variations [his best imo] - emotive and gritty
2. Swordfishtrombones - experimental and unpredictable
3. Small Change - cool storytelling

“I Never Talk to Strangers” with Bette Midler gets my vote. How about you?

Hey folks.

So, were all TW fan's but I'm curious what other artists/bands everyone is listening to!

Myself, I'm really digging C.W Stoneking [seeing him live soon!] also big fan of Captain Beefheart.

Saw an older post taking about this and figured I’d resurrect it.

For those of you unfamiliar with wrestling terms:

Your “face” theme is when you play a “good guy” wrestler , think Hulk Hogan or John Cena.

Your “heel” theme is when you play a “bad guy” think Randy Orton or Ted Dibasse.

Your “stable” theme is when you team up with other wrestlers.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hey, ive just stumbled upon this album and love it, but its very different from his top songs, so id like your help to find albums with a similar feel.

Just thought I’d let all the waits heads know that music streamer “Walterooski” will be live reacting to Swordfishtrombones for the first time on his twitch page today. Stream starts at 1:30 EST I believe. Will be his first experience with Waits if my memory serves me correct!

This popped into my head while getting ready for bed tonight.

A Tom Waits biopic, but it's a biopic on the character Tom Waits. It's not a biopic about Thomas Alan Waits.

I think if Tom and Kathleen wrote the script for this themselves, it could actually be a great film.