Comments on: The Over/Under: Tom Waits http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/ Real Music Alternatives Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:12:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: martin http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-171225 martin Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:27:21 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-171225 You hit the nail on the head with Chocolate Jesus. Nothing more than a ditty and hardly super-acute social observation. No emotion in it either. Throwaway. But Kentucky Avenue comes up time and again in fave lists and I can't understand it. Always thought it was gauche and maudlin to an extreme and clumsy too. GIve me Ruby's arms for overblown emotion that doesn't slip into the absurd. You hit the nail on the head with Chocolate Jesus. Nothing more than a ditty and hardly super-acute social observation. No emotion in it either. Throwaway.

But Kentucky Avenue comes up time and again in fave lists and I can’t understand it. Always thought it was gauche and maudlin to an extreme and clumsy too. GIve me Ruby’s arms for overblown emotion that doesn’t slip into the absurd.

]]> By: reconsterverbal http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-70984 reconsterverbal Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:35:53 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-70984 I think that barcarolle should have been higher in the list, it's the most beautiful song i've ever heard. I think that barcarolle should have been higher in the list, it’s the most beautiful song i’ve ever heard.

]]> By: Doug Van Gundy http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41110 Doug Van Gundy Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:02:15 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41110 My compliments to Mr. Waggoner who once again shows us how a thing like this is done, and done well. Somehow you have managed to dissect the sacred cow that is Tom Waits without spilling a drop of blood (or generating the threats of violence that have appeared in the comments of other over/unders) One of the things I love about Waits' music is his willingness to reach beyond his grasp, to risk sentimentality and mawkishness from time to time in order to discover gems like "Trouble's Braids" (long a favorite of mine and a piece that could easily have turned to hipster posing in less-skilled hands). What I admire about the features that you write for Magnet is that you actually engage in criticism, looking at the work and the artists with an evaluative eye and then offering some sort of informed conclusion that we as readers can either take or leave. I look forward to the next one. (for the record, I would put "Emotional Weather Report" in the over category and "World Keeps Turning" from the Pollock soundtrack in the under) My compliments to Mr. Waggoner who once again shows us how a thing like this is done, and done well. Somehow you have managed to dissect the sacred cow that is Tom Waits without spilling a drop of blood (or generating the threats of violence that have appeared in the comments of other over/unders)

One of the things I love about Waits’ music is his willingness to reach beyond his grasp, to risk sentimentality and mawkishness from time to time in order to discover gems like “Trouble’s Braids” (long a favorite of mine and a piece that could easily have turned to hipster posing in less-skilled hands). What I admire about the features that you write for Magnet is that you actually engage in criticism, looking at the work and the artists with an evaluative eye and then offering some sort of informed conclusion that we as readers can either take or leave. I look forward to the next one.

(for the record, I would put “Emotional Weather Report” in the over category and “World Keeps Turning” from the Pollock soundtrack in the under)

]]> By: Jon C http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41088 Jon C Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:44:32 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41088 What, no "Pasties and a G String"? One of his finest gin-addled moments, I think. ;-) What, no “Pasties and a G String”? One of his finest gin-addled moments, I think. ;-)

]]> By: Russ http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41086 Russ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:12:00 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41086 Your opening paragraph speaks volumes, Eric. Tom seldom has his musical output considered in terms of some sort of rating system, as the man himself pretty much transcends the music, at least in terms of mainstream coverage. I've admittedly fallen for this criticism of Waits, as it can get irritating to see the porkpie hat and hipster/vagrant pose carted out for each photoshoot. There were two Waits albums I've obsessed over, one which has stuck with me and even gathered relevance. Swordfishtrombones is a work of ridiculous brilliance, and specifically Shore Leave is a lesson for any artist in terms of painting a masterpiece with words and atmosphere. The other album that lived in my player for ages (as a young dude), but I can't seem to stomach now is Nighthawks at the Diner. The lounge lizard Waits is in full form on this record, and now it just feels to me like a comedy album where I know all the punchlines, not an enduring musical statement. Your opening paragraph speaks volumes, Eric. Tom seldom has his musical output considered in terms of some sort of rating system, as the man himself pretty much transcends the music, at least in terms of mainstream coverage. I’ve admittedly fallen for this criticism of Waits, as it can get irritating to see the porkpie hat and hipster/vagrant pose carted out for each photoshoot.

There were two Waits albums I’ve obsessed over, one which has stuck with me and even gathered relevance. Swordfishtrombones is a work of ridiculous brilliance, and specifically Shore Leave is a lesson for any artist in terms of painting a masterpiece with words and atmosphere. The other album that lived in my player for ages (as a young dude), but I can’t seem to stomach now is Nighthawks at the Diner. The lounge lizard Waits is in full form on this record, and now it just feels to me like a comedy album where I know all the punchlines, not an enduring musical statement.

]]> By: mistercharlie http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41072 mistercharlie Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:35:58 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41072 Who is doing the "overrating" and "underrating"? I've never quite figured this feature out. I guess, retroactively, I will overrate "Innocent When You Dream". And protest: how is this song 'romantic'? It's wistful, regretful. The narrator has broken a girl's heart and likely also lost all his old friends, and can only find refuge in dreams. I love it. Who is doing the “overrating” and “underrating”? I’ve never quite figured this feature out. I guess, retroactively, I will overrate “Innocent When You Dream”. And protest: how is this song ‘romantic’? It’s wistful, regretful. The narrator has broken a girl’s heart and likely also lost all his old friends, and can only find refuge in dreams. I love it.

]]> By: glenzo http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41068 glenzo Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:29:39 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41068 ...and I'm writing mainly to confirm how well Eric's opening paragraph captures the impact of Swordfishtrombones. I was a college DJ at the time, a reasonable admirer of Waits' earlier work but not a true fan. I literally recall the moment the LP arrived in the studio- "smack on the side of the head" is right. Sounded like nothing else out there at the time, and Waits' prior catalog offered few hints to such an abrupt shift. In today's world there would certainly have been a Net-fueled heads up, but in 1983 it arrived wholly unexpected. …and I’m writing mainly to confirm how well Eric’s opening paragraph captures the impact of Swordfishtrombones. I was a college DJ at the time, a reasonable admirer of Waits’ earlier work but not a true fan. I literally recall the moment the LP arrived in the studio- “smack on the side of the head” is right. Sounded like nothing else out there at the time, and Waits’ prior catalog offered few hints to such an abrupt shift. In today’s world there would certainly have been a Net-fueled heads up, but in 1983 it arrived wholly unexpected.

]]> By: adamedwin http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41063 adamedwin Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:03:22 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41063 nice overrated list, I've always felt let down by Mule Variations as a whole, seems too easy for the normal level of Tom. Main reason for this comment though is the thanks for kentucky avenue and troubles braids, two passed-overs i completely forgot about and never invested in nice overrated list, I’ve always felt let down by Mule Variations as a whole, seems too easy for the normal level of Tom. Main reason for this comment though is the thanks for kentucky avenue and troubles braids, two passed-overs i completely forgot about and never invested in

]]> By: Spencer http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/09/the-overunder-tom-waits/comment-page-1/#comment-41059 Spencer Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:44:45 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=59851#comment-41059 Kentucky Avenue is finally given it's due. Why Tom Waits has not been given a Kennedy Center Honor I have no idea. The most underappreciated American treasure ever. Kentucky Avenue is finally given it’s due. Why Tom Waits has not been given a Kennedy Center Honor I have no idea. The most underappreciated American treasure ever.

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