Sneak Peek: Tom Waits ‘Bad As Me’
It’s been a long, dry season. After seven years of scorched earth, with only a set of scraps and the occasional reprise on which to hang our hat, Waits’s upcoming album, Bad As Me, promises some respite.
We were told, via Waits’s website, that on August 23rd the songster would “set the record straight”. He did so with the release of the album’s first single of same name and a “Private Listening Party” :
“Bad As Me” is a churning, big-hipped, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins-influenced blues brawl that finds Waits swapping his trademark growl for a warbling caterwaul. Thick, sticky horn blasts reek of elicit propositions, a softly-mixed, almost inaudible piano rings somewhere in ether, alluding to the smoke and stench of the barroom, the wiry twang of a guitar radiates like heat from the barrel of a gun and the drums clang, boom and bounce with the lopsided sashay of an undefeated drunk.
Waits tries to relate to his subject, imploring to be seen in the same nefarious light. He asserts, “You’re the head on the spear / You’re the nail on the cross / You’re the fly in my beer / You’re the key that got lost / You’re the letter from Jesus on the bathroom wall / You’re mother superior in only a bra / You’re the same kind of bad as me”. The subject remains unconvinced. Waits questions in a cocky whisper, “No good, you say?” and assures, “Well, that’s good enough for me”. He explains that, “I’m the mattress in the back / I’m the old gunnysack / I’m the one with the gun / Most likely to run / I’m the car in the weeds / If you cut me I’ll bleed / You’re the same kind of bad as me,” demanding a vote of confidence from a partner in crime, or a foot in the door with a low-down young thing.
Slotted at number eight of a robust thirteen tracks (sixteen if you purchase the deluxe edition), “Bas As Me” is nowhere near as dense as the cacophonous insanity that typifies Waits’s best music, but it plays like straight-forward shot of pure oxygen in the middle of what will surely be a profound and undoubtedly unusual collection.
“Bad As Me”, the new single from seminal conjurer Tom Waits, is available for purchase here, or at any of your preferred digital retailers.
Listen to new song “Back in the Crowd”:
Written by Ben Brundage.
Read Ben’s full review of Bad As Me : HERE.
For more of Ben’s work, check out his Tumblr, Damned Fine Lion.
Listen: The Bonesetters ‘Red Main’ EP
Muncie band The Bonesetters released their Red Main EP back in April. We decided to stream it as a teaser before the release of their upcoming full-length debut SAVAGES! The release of their album has been delayed by the unexpected folding of The Bonesetters’ record label. Learn how you can help finance SAVAGES! with a small donation by clicking HERE.
Album Review: The War on Drugs ‘Slave Ambient’
Do not link these guys to a fraudulent President who first coined the term “War on Drugs.” This Philly based rock n’ roll quartet is nothing but authentic. Sure some influences ring out in their songs, most notably Bruce Springsteen, This blend of folk, blues, Americana, alternative and country provides a melting pot of opportunities for innovation. These guys make me proud. They allow me to tout Bloomington-based indie label Secretly Canadian (See: Gardens & Villa, Here We Go Magic, Throw Me the Statue, and Yeasayer amongst many others) once again.
I would be lying if I told you that I was all over their 2008 release Wagonwheel Blues. However, I only recently realized that Kurt Vile was once a member of this group. I guess it took a Vile departure to legendary Matador Records in 2009 and a revamped roster to finally grab my attention.
Current
▪ Adam Granduciel (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, samplers)
▪ Dave Hartley (bass, guitars)
▪ Mike Zanghi (drums, percussion, sampler)
Former
▪ Kurt Vile (guitar)
▪ Kyle Lloyd (drums)
▪ Charlie Hall (drums, organ)
It also helps that Sirius XMU has been dropping an aerial assault of The War on Drugs‘ single “Baby Missiles” off of their brand new album Slave Ambient.
These songs are heavily layered and detailed compared to the folky stuff that I am used to. A quick album comparison for me is to match this one up against Wilco’s AM. The irony is that AM was the first Wilco album post the Uncle Tupelo fall out. The change in The War on Drugs regime fits and makes sense. I hope Granduciel understands that he has the power to project like Jeff Tweedy because this material has staying power.
Along with “Baby Missiles”, I believe “Brothers” and even a wordless “Original Slave” do the best job of projecting their sounds. To me, these songs build fusion and exemplify the unity that this new group is attempting to find.
I hate to do it, but I thank “Tricky Dick” Nixon for naming a terrific band. The War on Drugs, I thank you for this fresh piece of team building and Americana happiness.
“If you want to build beautiful music, you must play black and white notes together”
Richard Milhous Nixon
Finding the gray area is what these guys do best. Buy their album at Luna Music.
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 