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  • Release Date:
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 170 Ratings

  • Summary: Unlike typical rarities compilations, this 3-disc set includes 30 brand-new recordings--in addition to the usual mix of covers, soundtrack selections, and other previously uncompiled material. It's like getting three new Waits albums at once.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Sure enough, the first time through, too many [of the songs] had faded on me. Soon, however, even ones I'd given up on were bum-rushing my earhole.
  2. Orphans is a bravura showcase for the instrument of Tom Waits’ voice.
  3. An outstanding musical creation... that nods to almost every known genre of American music, and some that have yet to be named.
  4. This is not Tom Waits’ best record... But the whole package... is riveting, a collection that should humble lesser musicians who only can aspire to the mantle of Waits’ discarded work.
  5. Orphans may not have something for everyone, but what’s missing says more about the listener than the record.
  6. After 30 years, Waits keeps getting weirder and weirder while still aging gracefully.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 94
  2. Negative: 7 out of 94
  1. laceyc
    Dec 8, 2006
    10
    there's a record for every mood. songs that delve into every corner of the human heart and travel through almost every Amercian song there'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... Expand
  2. SB
    Nov 30, 2006
    10
    As 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 As 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. Collapse
  3. Judy
    Feb 9, 2007
    10
    Tom Waits has created a 3-CD journey into his psyche. Over the past 10 years Mr. Waits has made some of the most consistent records around. Tom Waits has created a 3-CD journey into his psyche. Over the past 10 years Mr. Waits has made some of the most consistent records around. His songwriting has been great, but I kept getting the feeling that I was listening to a parody of Tom Waits. It's hard to say what was missing, but whatever the hell it was, is pleasantly absent on Orphans. If you are a Waits lifer, you gotta have this one. Expand
  4. telephono
    Nov 21, 2006
    10
    it's funny when total jokes think they can spot other total jokes... tommy's brilliant.
  5. Nighthawk
    Nov 22, 2006
    10
    Fantastic 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! Fantastic 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! Expand
  6. KurtD
    Nov 20, 2006
    9
    mmmm... I like this a lot
  7. time
    Nov 20, 2006
    0
    I 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 I 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. Expand

See all 94 User Reviews