Album of the day (#1210): Rain Dogs by Tom Waits

[albummaster]

Today's album of the day

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits (View album | Buy this album)

Year: 1985.
Country:
Overall rank: 97
Average rating: 85/100 (from 488 votes).

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Tracks:
1. Singapore
2. Clap Hands
3. Cemetery Polka
4. Jockey Full Of Bourbon
5. Tango Till They're Sore
6. Big Black Mariah
7. Diamonds And Gold
8. Hang Down Your Head
9. Time
10. Rain Dogs
11. Midtown
12. 9th And Hennepin
13. Gun Street Girl
14. Union Square
15. Blind Love
16. Walking Spanish
17. Downtown Train
18. Bride Of Rain Dog
19. Anywhere I Lay My Head

About album of the day: The BestEverAlbums.com album of the day is the album appearing most prominently in member charts in the previous 24 hours. If an album, or artist, has previously been selected within a x day period, the next highest album is picked instead (and so on) to ensure a bit of variety. A full history of album of the day can be viewed here.

[Jasonconfused]

Brilliant. A key album in opening up my ears to new styles of music. Also one of the best discoveries through BEA. Thanks Saoirse!
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[Puncture Repair]

Such a roller coaster ride, Tom Waits is so much fun to listen to and really populates this album with a huge amount of character.

[drakonium]

Absolutely amazing, probably the most shocking first listen I've ever had. I was expecting laid back classic rock for some reason. God I was surprised. My favorite of his so far.

[Mercury]

This is one of the greatest albums ever made, people!

The thing about Tom Waits is you may at first listen think he's just weird and that there is no message to the madness but if you give him, and definitely this album, a few listens you'll soon see its chock full of meaning and virtuoso poetic songwriting, incredible surprises and twists and turns. This record ably showcases Waits' mastery of many forms of music and song craft. And really lyrically it's overwhelmingly great at times. Poeticly this should be thought of alongside albums like "Highway 61 Revisited", or "Horses"

Also it's my second fave Waits album just behind "Mule Variations". In my top 50 all time easily.
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-Ryan

ONLY 4% of people can understand this chart! Come try!

My Fave Metal - you won't believe #5!!!

[Guest]

I think I might actually prefer Swordfishtrombones, but the difference in quality between the two is minuscule at most. I definitely prefer Small Change, Nighthawks and Blue Valentine, but they may as well be by a different artist. Anyway, this album is all over the shop in the best way possible. It sounds like a party those guys who live in that underground L.A. in Demolition Man might throw if they'd been up for days on end, on a cocktail of prescription drugs and moonshine (except, y'know, if that underground L.A. was actually an underground New York). Or something.

Whatever, if you've not heard it then you should go check it out right now.

[SuedeSwede]

Well I really didn't like Tom Waits at first and then... I actually listened to this in full, and it was good but still, I found him a bit too weird. Give it time to sink in my friends. It's in my top 70 now, and that's because of precious time... time... time.
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[Guest]

Has a really great atmosphere. I think a lot of the "classics" are pretty stale in that regard but this has really got a sort of ramshackle, cabaret, pirate (pirate? pirate), that bar in Star Wars, vibe.

[ButterThumbz]

[Guest]

Yeah, Swordfishtrombones is much, much better (like, it's not even close), but this is a brilliant album in its own right. I will say, however, that "Singapore" is my favorite song of his, and "Rain Dogs" and "Downtown Train" are on par with anything on Swordfishtrombones, as well. It's a wildly varied album and insanely fun from start to finish. Heck, I think I'll give it a spin right now.

But seriously, if you haven't heard Swordfishtrombones or have been putting it off for whatever reason, listen to it ASAP.