album of the week

tom waits

Tom waits – Swordfishtrombones
[Island: 1983]

Having been recording piano-based blues albums for a decade Tom Waits had grown tired of his music and felt it was time to re-invent. So he got rid of his manager, changed labels and self produced his next album, Swordfishtrombones.

I am not going to lie: when I first heard Tom Waits as a child I was pretty scared. And why wouldn’t you be; his deep crackling voice not only sounds like a cross between a David Lynch villain and the all-powerful Oz, but the songs are filled with horns and off-kilter percussion and sounds that accompany the wonderful weird, movie-like storytelling that is reminiscent of something from your most weird and surreal nightmares.
From the manic opener Underground to the beautiful ballad of Town with no cheer and the darkly humorous spoken word of Franks wild years this album jumps around and keeps you riveted throughout its 15 tracks.

Swordfishtrombones not only re-invented Tom Waits career but created a new form of experimental music and storytelling that would inspire musicians and artists of many kinds for years to come.

Ps. This album is best listened to after midnight……with a light on.




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