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Album reviews Music

Tom Waits – Bad As Me

Rating: NNN


Tom Waits is one of those rare artists who’ve consistently improved over the span of their careers, which makes a new album from him reason to be excited. Sure enough, the dependable Waits has come up with another collection of that murky, ramshackle Americana we love so much. But, while Bad As Me has no duds, it also sounds way too familiar to be as satisfying as you want it to be.

There’s plenty to enjoy here, but very little to get worked up about. He’s said his intention was to do a straightforward album of short songs, and that’s exactly what this is. It’s also as formulaic as his intentions suggest. Still, this is Waits doing what he does well, and he kicks the asses of his imitators. Hopefully, this album satisfies his urge to make a conservative album, and his next one will be out-there enough to blow our minds.

Top track: Satisfied

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