Red Mosquito

bada wrote:I don't get Tom Waits.

I'm so sorry.

theplatypus wrote:

bada wrote:I don't get Tom Waits.

I'm so sorry.

Yeah I hear you. I'm not trying to be a a$$ or saying people are idiots to like him. In fact I can see liking or appreciating him but to LOVE him seems weird. I just don't see that level of appeal. Another example would be Frank Zappa. I can appreciate him especially the musicianship which is off the charts but to LOVE him? When people say they love Tom Waits its almost like I don't believe them. I just don't get it.

You aren't alone, don't worry.

I imagine we all have artists we just don't "get." Maybe we see some qualities in them worth admiring, or they have a few songs that we enjoy, but when someone tells us they LOVE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM we sort of


So, yeah. There it is. We all have those bands/artists. Probably, looked at closely enough, we'd start to realize that we have a lot of them. And, honestly, no musician is a universal appeal. For me, REM and Soundgarden are probably on the list. Both groups have songs I like, and at various points I've probably owned 90% of the albums those two bands have made. But when someone lists them or anything by them among their favorites I have to admit I have an internal moment of "Wait! Don't you know how much cool shit is out there?!" The implication being, you know, you must not, because...

And you shake it off so fast it's almost like it never happened, because you know it's all down to aesthetic tastes. But it's like blinking: hard to control, and it only affects you. So who cares?

Very true.

I'm like that with more bands than I care to remember. And it annoys me cos i feel like i'm really mising out, but I just don't get it. Captain beefheart, nick cave, pj harvey...tons of others...just bounces right off me.

Yeah well put....it's more a feeling of missing out as opposed to musical superiority.

Well in fairness i have the same towards all the dance music i'm surrounded by when with my friends, and there, i get to whip out my musical snobbery in a big way and call them all soulless minions of Satan.

I have not found the time for Tom.

I have always struggled to get Radiohead and Coldplay. I get why people dislike Coldplay more than like them. Radiohead I just don't even know.

As for the Canadian meat, it just doesn't taste right to me. Toronto is one of my favorite cities in the world but I never have a good meal there. That isn't totally true. I have had some good Greek food. It has to be the way meat is prepared or preserved in the States compared to up North.

Regardless, the rock n roll that has been made in Canada pleases me greatly. I love the hockey, the people, and the culture. It's just the meat.

bada wrote:Yeah I hear you. I'm not trying to be a a$$ or saying people are idiots to like him. In fact I can see liking or appreciating him but to LOVE him seems weird. I just don't see that level of appeal. Another example would be Frank Zappa. I can appreciate him especially the musicianship which is off the charts but to LOVE him? When people say they love Tom Waits its almost like I don't believe them. I just don't get it.

Waits is probably my second or third all-time favorite musician. I think I see him the way a lot of people in this forum see Neil Young, as a musical genius and also a personal hero of sorts. Ditto on Frank Zappa, though.

I really admire Waits, Young and Zappa and I do understand their genius, but my lack of familiarity with the majority of their material leaves me wondering what I am missing. Admittedly, I haven't given any of the three the required time that it would take to digest their entire catalogs. It seems a daunting task. If I ever devoted enough time, my perspective could change (or maybe not?). Their musical and song writing abilities are undeniable and their influence is obviously massive. That demands my respect.

stip wrote:

McParadigm wrote:I cut it down to 15.

Tom Waits - Time
Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombone
Tom Waits - Never Let Go
Tom Waits - Come on Up to the House
Tom Waits - Who Are You
Tom Waits - Singapore
Tom Waits - Georgia Lee
Tom Waits - The Part You Throw Away
Tom Waits - Hoist That Rag
Tom Waits - Sins of My Father
Tom Waits - Make it Rain
Tom Waits - Walk Away
Tom Waits - All the Time
Tom Waits - You Can Never Hold Back Spring
Tom Waits - Widow's Grove

about half of that list would be pretty close to my TW top 10

But that list looks absolutely naked and flailing without Earth Died Screaming.

4 that are on his b sides and outtakes. 4 that mr waits did not deem appropriate and/or good enough to be on proper studio release.

what an ass*


*mad genius

McParadigm wrote:And you shake it off so fast it's almost like it never happened, because you know it's all down to aesthetic tastes. But it's like blinking: hard to control, and it only affects you. So who cares?

Well fucking put, sir.

bada wrote:

theplatypus wrote:

bada wrote:I don't get Tom Waits.

I'm so sorry.

Yeah I hear you. I'm not trying to be a a$$ or saying people are idiots to like him. In fact I can see liking or appreciating him but to LOVE him seems weird. I just don't see that level of appeal. Another example would be Frank Zappa. I can appreciate him especially the musicianship which is off the charts but to LOVE him? When people say they love Tom Waits its almost like I don't believe them. I just don't get it.

It's weird, but I feel pretty much the same way about The Rolling Stones. And I hate that about myself. But they've just never clicked for me the way they do with others. Maybe some day. Until then, give me all the Tom Waits.

Strat wrote:4 that are on his b sides and outtakes. 4 that mr waits did not deem appropriate and/or good enough to be on proper studio release.

what an ass*


*mad genius

Birds in Hell wrote:You aren't alone, don't worry.

Yeah, and I'm not fond of this whole "if you dont like Tom Waits you are a simpleminded fool" thing either.

numbers wrote:

Birds in Hell wrote:You aren't alone, don't worry.

Yeah, and I'm not fond of this whole "if you dont like Tom Waits you are a simpleminded fool" thing either.

Selleck > Waits

In an attempt to get this thread back on track - off the top o' the noggin:

REM - Begin The Begin
Radiohead - Let Down
Mark Lanegan - One Way Street
Crowded House - Distant Sun
Queens of the Stone Age - Regular John
Muse - Stockholm Syndrome
Interpol - Obstacle 1
Live - I Alone
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Powderfinger - DAF