Description
Tom Waits – Swordfishtrombones – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
40th Anniversary
Newly Remastered with Waits/Brennan
Audio Sourced From Original Production Master Tape
Restored Album Packaging
Pressed On 180g Black Vinyl
Tom Waits’ Swordfishtrombones, released on September 1, 1983, is a groundbreaking album that marked a radical reinvention of his sound and career. Moving away from the piano-driven jazz ballads of his earlier records, Waits embraced a raw, experimental, and avant-garde style. With tracks like Underground, Shore Leave, and In the Neighborhood, the album blends surreal storytelling, gritty textures, and unconventional instrumentation, creating a soundscape that feels like a walk through a dark, fantastical carnival.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential albums of the 1980s, Swordfishtrombones showcased Waits’ evolution as an artist, earning critical acclaim and paving the way for his future experimental work.
By the early 1980s, Tom Waits had become known for his whiskey-soaked voice and melancholic ballads, but he was growing restless with the direction of his music. After parting ways with producer Bones Howe and leaving Asylum Records, Waits signed with Island Records, where he had the creative freedom to explore a more idiosyncratic vision. Inspired by his wife and creative partner, Kathleen Brennan, Waits began crafting songs that broke away from conventional structures and embraced eclectic influences, including blues, experimental rock, European cabaret, and field recordings.
The album’s title reflects its surreal nature—it’s both nonsensical and evocative, much like the music itself.
The music on Swordfishtrombones is a dramatic departure from Waits’ earlier work. It eschews lush orchestration and traditional melodies in favor of raw, angular instrumentation and unconventional arrangements. Waits incorporated instruments like marimbas, pump organs, bagpipes, and even found objects like junkyard percussion to create a jagged, otherworldly sound.
The album explores dark and whimsical tales of outsiders, sailors, soldiers, and dreamers. Waits’ gravelly voice, now pushed to its raspy extremes, serves as the perfect narrator for these vivid, surreal stories.
Swordfishtrombones was met with widespread critical acclaim. While some fans of Waits’ earlier style were initially taken aback by the album’s avant-garde approach, many praised its boldness and originality. The album is often regarded as a turning point in Waits’ career, marking his transition from a singer-songwriter to a true musical innovator.
Swordfishtrombones has gained recognition as one of the most important and influential albums of the 1980s. It appears on countless ‘greatest albums’ lists and is credited with inspiring a new generation of artists to embrace experimentalism and genre-blending in their music.
Cultural Impact
The album’s influence extends far beyond Waits’ own career. Its fusion of storytelling, unconventional instrumentation, and gritty aesthetics has inspired artists across genres, from Nick Cave and PJ Harvey to alternative and experimental musicians worldwide. Waits’ willingness to embrace eccentricity and push boundaries set a new standard for what a rock album could be.
Conclusion
Swordfishtrombones is a landmark in Tom Waits’ discography and a testament to his brilliance as a songwriter and innovator. Its blend of surreal storytelling, bold experimentation, and emotional depth creates a listening experience unlike any other. Whether through the unsettling rhythms of 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six or the bittersweet beauty of Johnsburg, Illinois, the album captures the essence of Waits’ unique vision. Decades later, Swordfishtrombones remains a masterpiece that continues to challenge, inspire, and captivate.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Underground
Shore Leave
Dave The Butcher
Johnsburg, Illinois
16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six
Town With No Cheer
In The Neighborhood
Just Another Sucker On The Vine
Frank’s Wild Years
Swordfishtrombone
Down, Down, Down
Soldier’s Things
Gin Soaked Boy
Trouble’s Braids
Rainbirds
