Disc of the day
Various Artists - Axe Attack Vol II
Metal Britannica inspires MOJO metal amnesty. Studded leather wristbands aloft!
Features Disc of the day
Tom Waits
Small Change
(Asylum Records, 1976)
A perfect introduction to the Bourbon-soaked blues of the California outcast’s early years.
Waits’s fourth offering didn’t herald any dramatic shift in style for the raspy barroom troubadour. It wasn’t until 1983’s Swordfishtrombones that he really changed things up. However, what Small Change represents is an artist in full command of his niche – shuffling, laconic ballads that achieve a perfect balance between bruised sentimentalism and hard-edged street smarts. Notice the way Waits’s piano stumbles over itself on The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) or the wry smirk in the lyrics to Bad Liver And A Broken Heart and you’ll find a musician and wordsmith at the peak of his confidence. This record also earns a place in anyone’s heart by providing one of the most delicious ironies in rock history – potato crisp corporation Frito Lay attempted to use Waits’ finger-clicking, toe-tapping indictment of modern advertising Step Right Up to sell its snacks. Did they listen to any of the words?
Chris Lo
Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:00 AM GMT 13/01/2008
Further Listening
Billie Holiday – Lady In Satin (Columbia)
Mark Lanegan Band – Bubblegum (Beggars Banquet)
Tom Waits – Blue Valentine (Asylum)
Previous Disc of the day
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Various Artists - Axe Attack Vol II
Metal Britannica inspires MOJO metal amnesty. Studded leather wristbands aloft!
2:32 PM GMT 12/03/2010
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The Pop Group - Y
For connoisseurs of pop-as-rupture-in-the-space/time-continuum
6:00 AM GMT 11/03/2010
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St Vitus Dance - Glypotheque
Belfast combo return unannounced, go sardonic pop-folk.
6:00 AM GMT 09/03/2010
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