Tom Waits – Orphans

This entry was posted by owl and bear staff on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 9:39 am.

2006, ANTI-

This is probably an excellent (albeit expensive if you opt for the 94-page Deluxe Edition) place for the Tom Waits curious to begin.

I wouldn’t know, though. I have never cared for Mr. Waits’ music, and I don’t think I ever will. I don’t hate him, I just can’t stand the guy’s voice, even if it is supposedly part of his appeal.

That said, his new 3-disc set of B-sides and rarities, reworks, and 30 new songs, Orphans, will likely be hailed as a treasure trove by some, and annoyance by others. And because this is a collection of B-sides from over the years—never originally a coherent whole—the listener’s personal inclinations about Waits will make or break this set. To go with a theme, there is definitely some interesting, innovative stuff on here- but plenty of tracks might well be once-and-done affairs, too.

If you love him- if you think he shits golden nuggets and his voice comforts you at night while you sip whiskey and chain-smoke cigarettes next to a crustified whore named Jenny, then Orphans is an A+ motherfucking Christmas gift for you. Enjoy. If you can’t stand him, then by all means stay away.

B+