#3 Album That Rocked My World 2011: Tom Waits - Bad As Me
Audio: Talking at the Same Time
Initially this was a challenging album to approach (I’m not talking about the music, because Waits music by its very nature is challenging to the uninitiated). The problem lies with the fact that when you have a true musical icon like Waits you naturally make comparisons to the classic definitive albums of the past. That being said this album holds up extremely well in the Waits catalog. It is truly refreshing that after nearly 40 years of recorded music he continues to be a relevant and creative presence who refuses to rest on his laurels.
The album has all of the elements of a classic Tom Waits album. It features raucous tunes (like Chicago), the avant garde (Hell Broke Luce) and poignant ballads (Last Leaf). He evens displays a surprising falsetto on Talking at the Same Time (one of the albums more enduring moments). Like his best work it is eclectic but cohesive. For someone who has been making music as long as Waits it is amazing he can display such youthful exuberance. Even with the album’s sadder moments this is a truly life affirming album. Waits continues to be one of the greatest living songwriters.
