Tom Waits: Swordfishtrombones

CD reissue of "Swordfishtrombones" by Tom Waits. Between the release of Heartattack and Vine (1980) and "Swordfishtrombones" (1983), Tom Waits changed labels, transforming himself from a jazz-inflected poet/crooner into something entirely new. "Swordfishtrombones" marked the beginning of an apparent trilogy that saw Waits emerge as a designer of soundscapes (this was the first of his albums that Waits produced himself), with an overall sound that mixed equal parts German cabaret, the patina of old 78s, and the sentimental power of a John McCormack ballad. Waits began using his voice in extraordinary ways here, from the sideshow bark of "Underground" to the cough syrup strain of "Swordfishtrombone," and the instrumentation changed with him, with new Harry Partch-inspired drumming and Salvation Army brass arrangements. In retrospect, there were hints of this sound on Heartattack and Vine, but nothing prepared fans for this fully realized masterpiece. "Swordfishtrombones" is considered by music critics as one of his best albums. This album introduces a new turn in the music of Tom Waits, mixing folk, blues, rock and jazz, his style approaching experimental rock. Swordfishtrombones is a unique work in rock music.