Category: Album Reviews, News
Tags: keith richards, tom waits

A new Tom Waits album is always a big deal and Bad As Me is no exception. It’s a brass, playful record that rattles along without showing any signs of maturity. Apart from Waits’ own band, there are some guest turns, with Flea and Les Claypool on bass duties for a couple of songs. Keith Richards shows up as well once again. It’s not their first collaboration and I sure as Hell hope it won’t be their last. At this stage, their sensibilities match completely and Keith’s chthonic, bluesy licks blend beautifully with guitarist Marc Ribbot’s atonal squeals.

There is grizzled soul, mutant rockabilly and a few whiskey- soaked ballads, but less of the usual Captain Beefheart- style experimentation this time. Best of the bunch? For me it’s the Howlin’ Wolf- produced- by- Rick Rubin feel of the title track and the Rolling Stones- quoting Satisfied.

Now if only he would tour more often…

(-Dimitris Kontogiannis-)

About the Author: CnB