Tom Waits

by Alexander
(Toronto)

It is a disgusting shame commensurate with the Watergate scandal that this man's name is yet on the list. He is one of the only, if not the only songwriter who never made a bad album. From the folksy Early Years and Heart of Saturday Night to the jazzy Small Change and Night Hawks at the Diner, from the blues of Blue Valentine and Heart Attack and Vine to the experimental Bone Machine, Mule Variations, from the gothic fairytale cabaret of The Black Rider to the uncategorizable, bluesgospelfunkpunkgarageclinkrockjazzfolk of his most recent records. The man is incomparable. He is arguably the most unique songwriter, and he does so without pretence, with pose.

Lyrically, his songs are works of art. Pure poetry - and not bullshit Bob Dylan free-form stuff that only makes sense when you're stoned, but real-life, no strings attached HONEST and beautiful.

By far the best songwriter ever, in my opinion.