Tom Waits' sixth album, from 1980, had nine tracks and lasted for
forty-five glorious minutes. As soon as it starts playing you get a smooth blast of drum, and a jagged slice of guitar. Half of
the album's songs are jumpy and dangerous, while the other half are slow and beautiful. Some high points are
Jersey Girl - a love song, and 'Til The Money Runs Out, a loud-mouth fighting song.
An excerpt from
Heartattack and Vine's-
Mr. Siegal
I shot the morning in the back
With
m' red wings on
I told the sun he'd better go back down
And if I can find a book of matches
I'm goin' to burn this hotel down
You got to tell me brave captain
Why are the wicked so strong
How do the angels get to sleep
When the devil leaves the porch-light on