User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 170 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 149 out of 170
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Mixed: 6 out of 170
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Negative: 15 out of 170
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Apr 1, 2020A massive album, with an impressive number of songs, a retrospective one, I could say, giving you the feeling that all of Tom's interpretive styles are condensed here.
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Dec 18, 2019At the end of the day Tom Waits didn't make it, and the 70's never happened. All these different eras of Tom Waits were repugnant. Over all Tom's stylizations are behind the times, like he never heard about it, and just does his schtick.
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Oct 3, 2011
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May 16, 2011
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IanB.Oct 3, 2009
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TimothyASep 26, 2009Life in all its raw woodbine broken doll glory.
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LynC.Jan 9, 2009His songs often make my cry. I can't begin to understand why. There is no one like him.
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ChrisV.Jul 31, 2008This album is truly a work of art. I pity those on here who don't get Mr. Waits but in a way I'm glad he divides opinion. He's almost a yardstick of musical taste. If you love him, you have it, If you don't, you don't!
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EoinB.Jan 26, 2008After more than a year with this album I'm still lost for words on how best to pay it tribute. Incredibly beautiful.
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DirtyJan 11, 2008
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TheDudeVGDec 20, 2007Mark L., I believe you have a rather big cd collection of Britney Spears and Mariah Carey... I ain't going to explain the difference between them and the likes of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, because I think everybody listens to what they like. About the album... If I could keep my breath for more then 3 hours I would... indescribable
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Jon-E.KDec 13, 2007
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JerryJ.Dec 6, 2007Best release of 2006. By miles.
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MarkL.Oct 23, 2007
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KennethE.Sep 24, 2007I'm a communist and i like this very much.
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PaulWJul 28, 2007What can we say? This is another incredible offering from one of the most prodigious, influential and talented songwriters to grace the latter half of the 20th or early 21st century.
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NoneofYourBuisinessJun 2, 2007
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JamesMar 5, 2007Absolutely brilliant.
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JosephKFeb 18, 2007Perfect in every sense of the word. If you're already a Waits fan and don't like this album, you're a communist. If you son't like Tom Waits... well, you're already a commie so it doesn't matter, does it?
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SteveAFeb 12, 2007Tom Waits, delivers again.....what an album!
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AlbertPFeb 12, 2007At first, listening to the three cds was a daunting task. I've since loaded the entire collection into my iTunes library and when a song comes up unexpectedley in a shuffle I realise that each of them is a masterpiece.
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BernatBFeb 11, 2007Awesome album
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mikab.Feb 10, 2007awesome.
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JudyFeb 9, 2007
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jFeb 8, 2007I just HAD to comment in reply to someone else's comment. Tom Waits, a Springsteen rip off??? Are you kidding me? Never talk about music again. You didn't even spell Springsteen correctly. Just stay away from anything related to music.
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MattJan 31, 2007Album of the year.
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JimMJan 22, 2007
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moloJan 22, 2007
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RJan 15, 2007Totally overrated record
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MarcJan 5, 2007Ok there are a few good songs scattered on these 3 CD's and over the years Waits has written and performed a lot of music that I really like. The problem is he has writtten a lot of lousy material. I challenge anyone that gave this disc a 10 to sit through the third cd more than once. Go on I dare ya!
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JoeBossDec 29, 2006The most complete work form anyone in the past 10 years. The best and worst of Waits.
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MattDec 21, 2006Album of the year.
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ReubenFDec 18, 2006
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JaredSSDec 16, 2006thank god for tom waits. this album, along with joanna newsom's, both make up for a rather somber, forgettable year in music however, this and newsom's are both masterpieces that transcend age to such a degree, that this may end up being a monumental year for music in its own way
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Isaac!dDec 15, 2006this is the best album i have heard in a long time. honestly.hands down! i listen to all type of different genres on music all the time and this album is truly a masterpiece. dont believe me, look at the critic's score!
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DouglasDec 14, 2006Cool. Very cool. I love Tom Waits, but I do admit he's an aquired taste. His music is ugly and beautiful at the same time.
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JPickardDec 14, 2006
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BasBDec 13, 2006I am really surprized he still is able to create a stunning album like this. It really moves me.
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LucasDec 12, 2006Uncut, Q, Mojo?? This deserves the highest score in the history of Metacritic. The music world would be nothing without Waits.
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SeanP.Dec 11, 2006
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HarveyWDec 10, 2006The only truely great piece of music composed in the 2000s. Waits' sounds much more confident and sure of himself than he did on Real Gone while letting the listener know that he was having fun recording all these songs. Bravo!
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laceycDec 8, 2006there's a record for every mood. songs that delve into every corner of the human heart and travel through almost every Amercian song form and era. Beautifiul, haunting, troubling, nightmarish, heartfelt...
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CookieMonsterDec 6, 2006Tom Waits plagerized me :-(
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BingenfakerRodburgerDec 4, 2006Fantastic album. As for waits sounding like springsteen, it's pretty hard to "sound like" someone who you predate. Maybe you mean Springsteen sounds like waits were he not midsiezure. As for critics, they are capable, unlike you, of giving their opinions due to being exposed, unlike you again, to a vast wealth of music.
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DanDDec 4, 2006
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EricWDec 4, 2006Tom Wait's leftovers are better than anything put out by any other American artist? Really?! Waits was one of the best 20 years ago, but if you are a music critic and think either Waits or Dylan released the best album of the year, retire. Please. Now.
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madslDec 4, 2006Ok - so maybe this is a bit much to take in one sitting but Brawlers in particular is well worth your money...it is simply a stunning piece of work! Bawlers gets a bit tiresome because Waits´ ballads have a tendency to sound very much alike. Bastards is a fascinating glimpse inside the mind and working process of a singular talent.
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T.S.Dec 3, 2006Nothing less than a Masterpiece. Where are the votes from Uncut and Q???
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ScottMDec 3, 2006The 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.
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ottohDec 3, 2006brillant
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janvDec 2, 2006This is the best album of the year! Waits at his best.
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SDDec 1, 2006
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CoreyCNov 30, 2006Tom Waits is such a great artist. With as many songs that are on this album I have to say, not one of them disapoints me.
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SBNov 30, 2006As far as I'm concerned this is Tom's masterpiece. An absolutely astonishing work. The scope is massive and to say that he pulls it off is an understatement. I just don't get how people can rate this as 8/10 or whatever. This is the greatest album by anyone in decades.
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DrAwesomeNov 30, 2006A landmark work. Runs the gamut of emotions and conveys all of them well. Tom Waits is truly a musical genius to be reckoned with and should take is his place beside Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan in the triumvirate of the worlds greatest song writers.
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LawrencePNov 29, 2006Don't worry about my dog Rodney below, he's off the meds at this time and just simply needs attention.
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TheSnugglerNov 29, 2006Tom Waits Rocks. And he is a fox.
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MikeNNov 29, 2006I absolutely agree with the guy who said "He sounds like Springsteen having a seizure." For many of us that's what rock and roll is all about
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[Anonymous]Nov 29, 2006Rodney Bingenheimer. I know that name was borrowed. Anyway, the real one I'd bet would disagree entirely with your silly comments.
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GreggNov 29, 2006I'll keep it simple. Tom Waits is the coolest man on the planet. These songs show why. And it's not just the songwriting, but the subtle attidude and undermining of the norm that make him, well, brilliant.
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ZooTrainNov 29, 2006This is a magnificent collection. To say that Tom Waits can't sing is silly. He has terrific range. However, it is something to get used to. He has done something few artists have done--fashioned his voice into a character, distinct and unique from song to song. Next to Dylan, Waits could possibly be America's greatest living songwriter.
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druwNov 29, 2006
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RodneyBingenheimerNov 27, 2006He sounds like Springstein having a seizure. This is why people never pay attention to reviews. Critics don't know squat.
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MattD.Nov 27, 2006Some of this is an acquired taste for sure - and it doesn't mean you have to "grow up" if you don't like it. His voice can get harsh, like something from a monster in a film, and some of it seems creative for creativity's sake. Still, there are quite a few good, sturdy melodies and heart-wrenching tales.
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ToddWNov 27, 2006
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HankSNov 27, 2006In a time where I am weary of most musical releases sounding the same. We get a breath of fresh air, or a gust of wind from the junkyard that tom waits is rummaging through to find his new sound. There is good reason Tom Waits is my favorite artist of all time, he refuses to keep things status quo. -Brillance on a CD BUY IT NOW, Dont delay, never needs winding, turns a sandwich into a banquet.
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WaltSNov 27, 2006
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JerryMNov 24, 2006Good
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danielwNov 23, 2006Remarkable. The only thing like it I can think of offhand is Basement Tapes. It is so tuned in to to many American genres that it ends up reinventing all of them.
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HeinVNov 23, 2006I agree with Alex S; again a masterpiece. Without a doubt the record of the year.
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NighthawkNov 22, 2006Fantastic album. So many great cuts that come one right after the other it plays like a greatest hits album. But they're all new hits! Some of the highlights include 2:19, Lucinda, Road to Peace, Widow's Grove, Take Care of All My Children, Down There By the Train. Like any good Waits album, however, every song is a highlight. Glorious and plentiful!
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JohnNov 22, 2006Waits rocks out, sings ballads and rambles wise. I couldn't ask for anything more.
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TomFooleryNov 22, 2006
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PROCKNov 22, 2006Even if you don't find a song or two to your liking, the breadth of this thing is enough for anyone (other than an out and out Waits-hater) to find an album's worth (15 or so) gems. There is also no denying that Brawlers is one of the best single discs that Tom has produced.
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AndrewCaNov 22, 2006He's just getting better and better! It's actually ridiculous.
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ChadMNov 22, 2006
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DZNov 21, 2006
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BrandonLNov 21, 2006Will this man ever do a regular cross-country tour for the love of god?!!
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AlexSNov 21, 2006Best album of the year easily, and one of Waits' best.
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ChrisKNov 21, 2006As vital as anything he has ever done. This three-disc set shows the boundless range of our greatest songwriter.
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DittyDDTNov 21, 2006Best album of the year. Tom Waits is an American Treasure, more creative than ANY of his contemporaries over time. Best Album of his life in his 50's.
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telephonoNov 21, 2006it's funny when total jokes think they can spot other total jokes... tommy's brilliant.
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drewtNov 21, 2006tom waits is a hero. and if you don't like his voice, grow up and broaden your horizons. this is one of the best albums you'll ever hear.
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DevinB.Nov 21, 2006Brilliant album by a brilliant, prolific, profound artist. Tom Waits is a true original and a cornerstone of left-of-center american music. A complete creative entity of absolute genius.
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MatchmanNov 21, 2006An artist's artist. Always full of soul and only better with age.
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DrewKNov 21, 2006This is an incredible set, and in my opinion is better than anything he's put out in the past fifteen years.
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EdgewaysSNov 21, 2006It is good to have all the varrious things in one spot, and there is onely one Tom waits
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lujobNov 21, 2006the jewel in the mine the teardrop that fires the sky i´m happy ... and for a long time
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shellyNov 20, 2006tom waits is beautiful...so is this incredible album.
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julianneNov 20, 2006amazing....scalding...something for every mood...an education.... eradication...rejuvenation..stupefication....
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CraigMNov 20, 2006I like the album...but mostly I just wanted to say that, whether you like this album or not, I think we can all agree that tim e is a moron!
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timeNov 20, 2006I freakin HATE Tom Waits. It's sounds like he's getting an enema while he's singing. This guys the supposed to be the Johnny Cash of nerdy Indie rock. He's a total joke.
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KurtDNov 20, 2006mmmm... I like this a lot
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umbertopNov 20, 2006Album of the year and Opus Magnum of Tom Waits
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Awards & Rankings
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Orphans is a major work that goes beyond the origins of the material and drags everything past and present with sound and texture into a present to be presented as something utterly new, beyond anything he has previously issued.
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This set stands alongside Waits's finest work.
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An outstanding musical creation... that nods to almost every known genre of American music, and some that have yet to be named.