Tom Waits – Small Change

Obviously I like the later, more outwardly experimental stuff, Rain Dogs and Swordfishtrombones, but this is his most powerful album I think. It’s the first time he’s doing his trademark vocal style, and his voice is really incongruous with the music in a really beautiful way here. It’s really passionate, and pure, and every song is really brilliant.

This is one album where I do listen to and love the lyrics, they’re genius. ‘Step Right Up’, is a track about advertising, that’s just hilarious, really well done, and infinitely quotable. “It gives you an erection/It wins the elections”, I love that kind of perversion. Sometimes. ‘Tom Traubert’s Blues’, the ‘Waltzing Matilda’ one, has a really beautiful last verse, too: “Goodnight to the street sweepers / the night watchman flame keepers”.

Small Change also has ‘The Piano Has Been Drinking’, which is a very funny song, and the ballads are just great, especially the last track ‘I Can’t Wait To Get Off Work (and See My Baby On Montgomery Avenue)’. It’s such a beautiful album, with great arrangements. It’s completely intimate, minimal, and straight-to-it raw.