397 - Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

Many of the songs on Rain Dogs sound as if they may have been recorded for some quirky, and possibly evil, character that was cut out from Disney's The Jungle Book or The Aristocats. Tom's growl doesn't shout like I heard in Bone Machine and Mule Variations. At times he actually sounds more like a really drunk and ragged Dr. John.

I've had a warm spot in my heart for the odd, garbage-instrumented music on his later works...but those songs aren't ones I want to hear over and over. The sound he has on Rain Dogs is less of a freak show...not that it is in any way tame. Along with Tom's voice, I kept finding myself paying attention to the guitar work and percussion. Both are spare, but play key roles in giving each song their atmosphere.

Songs I knew I liked: None (Well, I knew Rod Stewart's cover of "Downtown Train" before.)

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Cemetery Polka," "Big Black Mariah," "Hang Down Your Head," and "Blind Love"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Midtown"