Album Details

• Artist: Tom Waits
• Album: Bad As Me
• Label:
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: tosnob on 2011-12-05

Few artists have managed to create a sound as unique as Waits' while combining it with some of the best lyrics, well, ever.

A quick listen to the self-loathing "Pay Me" confirms that Waits' tongue is still razor-sharp. Taking it one step further is "Satisfied", with it's many Rolling Stones references...and Keith Richards appearance.

The bang and clatter that we've grown to expect from Waits during the second half of his career is present once again, held down by the increasingly impressive work of Casey Waits on drums. There are some added twists this time around.

The frantic scrambling opener, "Chicago" has strong blues notes to it, while "Get Lost" is a blend of '50s rock n' roll, courtesy of guitar work by Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, and Watisian stomp. "Raised Right Man" settles into a groove that will actually have you toe-tapping (which may have something to do with Flea on bass, which is provided by Les Claypool in other places).

On a couple of occasions Waits chooses to slow things down. On "Talking At the Same Time", complete with falsetto, it makes for a song nearly perfect for a dark lonely night. It's a misstep on "Back In the Crowd" however, is better suited to his 1982 One From The Heart soundtrack collaboration with Crystal Gayle.

An unexpected treat is "Kiss Me", a song that hearkens back to Waits' early career. The bourbon-drenched vocals bring you back to the smoke-filled rooms of Blue Valentine.

Everything culminates on the album's penultimate track "Hell Broke Luce". Slightly disturbed lyrics, gruff barked vocals, and a cacophonous arrangement makes for a classic Tom Waits experience.

If all musicians really were as bad as Tom Waits, this would be a wonderful world indeed.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2012-01-25 Bertman Said:

Tom Waits
Bad As Me
Anti, 2011

Tom Waits voice sounds as dry as gravel falling on top of itself in a spinning cement mixer, so its a damn good thing he has something to say. On his first release in seven years, Waits is energized, like a wild-eyed street preacher who refuses to be ignored.
Hard luck is a recurring theme for this disc, starting off with Chicago, where the songs narrator is headed for the promise of a better life, but doesnt necessarily believe his own words.
"Kiss Me" is all hissy vinyl and throwback speakeasy jazz, with Waits voice a low rumbling growl. "Hell Broke Luce" is an angry New Orleans funereal brass workout with a military cadence complete with gunfire. "I lost my buddy/and I wept, wept/ come down from the meth/So I slept, slept." Guest musicians include Keith Richards, David Hidalgo, Flea and Les Claypool. Richards plays on "Satisfied," where Waits demands "Now Mr Jagger! And Mr Richards! I will scratch where I been itching!" All the while Keef riffs away, coloring the song as if he owned it. Bad As Me's 13 songs are a great reminder of why we need outsiders to routinely rattle the mainstreams cages.

Rating: 8/10

on 2011-12-16 SolitaryMan Said:

My God, the title track is so unbelievably awesome. This album deserves to be on my year-end list, I'm convinced.
Not Rated

on 2011-12-16 SolitaryMan Said:

Of course, I know who Tom Waits is. But not in the traditional sense, I fear. A random spattering of songs over the years, coupled with two of his acting credits (The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus and The Book of Eli), was previously my total knowledge of the man. After reading this review, I realized this had to change. He is as much a part of american music history as anyone I can think of. This album seemed a likely place to start, and I'm writing this only 5 songs into my first listen. I feel as if I've been transported to a totally different time and place, a dark and grimy place that is only saved from utter terror by the romance and the gritty wisdom it eschews. Utterly captivating, and it has sparked my curiosity for everything that's come before it.
Not Rated