1. Jon-E.K

   8

   Its definately one of Waits better albums, wonderful lyrics shouted, sung and brawled out with a rough raspy and varied vocal, that most people with a wide music vocabulary will be charmed by. Everything from the Stories about gritty outlaws, loners and bottom life dwellers to the experimental rhythmic composition is artfully execute in his own bizarre style. I found the bastards disk to be my favorite, because it was more experimental, it had a darker tone to it, much like Black Rider had. To them who can't get over his voice or claim that he can't sing, for one he's much better than most singers out there, he uses his voice like an instrument, its the pillar which upholds the whole composition. In fact he says this better himself.. "At the center of this record is my voice. I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice, I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer - I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument." Tom wait's quoted from Anti- article.… Expand

   • Helpful?

     2 of 2 users said yes
2. ToddW

   5

   This is another one of those artists that I don't quite get what all the fuss is about. In that regard he reminds me somewhat of Beck. I know there's something there that I should be lauding, but I simply can't get past this guy's vocals. He flat out cannot sing, and I'm not talking about a Neil Young or Bob Dylan classification of cannot sing. This guy always sounds like he has a mouth full of marbles. He reminds me of the crazy, Aqualung-type bum who mumbles at you on the boardwalk in Santa Monica, all the while accompanying himself on a guitar that looks like Robert Johnson might have played it. His songs also sometimes flow like he's lost his marbles. 'Rain Dogs' was the closest I'll ever get to this guy, and I still feel like I've got to take a shower after listening to it. Good alliteration, though.… Expand

   • Helpful?

     0 of 1 users said yes
3. ScottM

   3

   The songs themselves are very good, but the vocals are so rough that it makes listening to it unpleasant. Its like a nice looking sweater that itches too much when you try to wear it. Waits should stick to writing songs, in my opinion.… Expand

   • Helpful?

     0 of 0 users said yes

See all 92 User Reviews