The Lazy Man's Friday review...

Today's music review is going to be rather short, for no reason other than I'm feeling lazy. I wouldn't be surprised if within a few weeks, my Friday Music Review simply become Friday List of One or More CD's I Like. I'm a lazy man.

Anyway, earlier this week I pulled out a CD that was easily one of last year's best and most overlooked albums, Tom Waits' Real Gone. As I kid, I had heard Tom Waits a couple of times and I utterly despised him, largely due to his harsh and gravely voice. Tastes change, I suppose, and now I love him. This album was a departure from what I hear in my inner-ear when I think of Tom Waits (Waits sitting at a piano in a smokey bar, growling out lyrical odes to a buzzed crowd). This disc has no piano, lots of growling, lots of percussion and lots of almost-beatboxing. The music itself is harsh and loud – in fact, coupled with Waits’ growling vocals, I can barely make out many of the lyrics and find myself going to the liner notes if I want to know what the hell he’s saying.

This CD is absolutely not for everyone. I could see many people declaring this CD a lot of noise. But if you’re willing to try something a little different, you’ll be happy you did.