Tom Waits
The essential Tom Waits records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1Rain DogsTom WaitsStart here
Rain Dogs
A wild, junkyard-orchestra masterpiece of broken ballads and barroom experiments. Singular and brilliant. His defining record.
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2SwordfishtrombonesTom WaitsEssential
Swordfishtrombones
A radical reinvention into clanking, experimental art-song that redefined his career. Bold and strange. A pivotal record.
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3Closing TimeTom WaitsClassic
Closing Time
A tender, piano-led debut of late-night ballads, home to 'Ol' 55'. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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4Small ChangeTom WaitsClassic
Small Change
A boozy, jazzy peak of late-night ballads and barroom poetry. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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5Blue ValentineTom WaitsClassic
Blue Valentine
A noir-ish, late-night peak of barroom ballads. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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6Bone MachineTom WaitsClassic
Bone Machine
A clattering, percussive peak of apocalyptic art-song. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.
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7Mule VariationsTom WaitsClassic
Mule Variations
A grizzled, junkyard-blues comeback of beauty and grime. Warm and acclaimed. A late peak.
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8AliceTom WaitsDeep cut
Alice
A haunting, theatrical song-cycle of broken beauty. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.