Tom Waits Album Review: Mule Variations (1999)

[@herrdwabash]

Glad you are doing reviews of Tom Waits's albums. I know his voice is not everybody's cup of tea, but I appreciate his talent and ability as a musician and songwriter. For me, nothing surpasses his very first album Closing Time; one of my favorite albums of 1973 and a perfect demonstration of the singer-songwriter period of the early 70s.

[@timridley1]

Great and intelligent review, Mark Ribot and Tom, you can't beat that.

[@herrdwabash]

What I like best about Mule Variations is its variety. To me, there are examples of the style of music that he used on albums like Swordfishtrombones, Bone Machine and Rain Dogs, but also a lot of songs that harken back to his more folk and jazz-oriented sound from the Asylum Years. 'Hold On' is definitely my favorite song from this album. You can also hear on this album how Norah Jones was influenced by Tom Waits.

[@dirksdiamonds]

I can't stand Tom Waits. It's his voice, really can't bare it!