Customer Reviews

Swordfishtrombones [Vinyl]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Swordfishtrombones is a collection of raps & recitals, bluesy & jazzy excursions, diner torch songs and instrumentals with spare backing plus one lavishly backed melodious ballad in the style of Jersey Girl on Heartattack and Vine. Underground is a brooding recital while 16 Shells From A 30-6 is a type of emphatic spoken blues in a voice more gravelly than normal. Examples of other talking styles include Frank's Wild Years where Hammond organ and acoustic bass provide edgy backing; the percussive title track where the vocal hovers between talking & singing, and the jittery Trouble's Braids on which Waits's semi-whispered vocal is backed by African talking & Parade bass drums plus acoustic bass.

He sings on the boisterous Down Down Down with its jazzy texture and on atmospheric art songs like the lament Town With No Cheer, the short love song Johnsburg, Illinois and the moving Soldier's Things, tender moments that interrupt the rough pieces and jazz raps. Of the instrumentals, the gentle Rainbirds brings to mind Leonard Cohen's Tacoma Trailer on The Future. For those who prefer their Waits in more traditional style there's the magnificent ballad In The Neighborhood, reminiscent of his early 1970s masterpieces like Ole 55 and I Hope that I Don't Fall in Love with You.

Predominantly experimental, Swordfishtrombones may not appeal to all fans as the album is dominated by minimalist raps resembling the quirky work of Captain Beefheart. Moreover, it takes some time & patience to understand and appreciate the other, more delicate compositions with their melancholic emotional tone. It's definitely worth the effort though, since a gem like Soldier's Things must ultimately be counted amongst Tom's most accomplished and memorable work.

Music excellent, but product .... On february 2 I received ordered LP Tom Waits from Amazon.com. Vinyl had absolutelly wrong quality with scratches, old clue dust, on both sides. This is my second very bad experience with amazon.

Swordfishtrombones is simply outstanding, incredibly entertaining and dynamic. If you like Tom Waits music this should be part of your collection. If you are new to Tom Waits, Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs should be the fist two of his albums that you buy. 16 shells, In the neighborhood, and Frank's wild years are my favorite songs on the album.