In which the post-dipso aggrieved curmudgeon, once more slams
the door on the soft option, leaps out the window, and lands on his
head. Tom throws away the piano completely on this disc. The songs
were instead conceived as a capella constructs, (often with
vocal beat box as percussion) so the words determine form.
Presented thusly to a band of stellar stalwarts as Larry Taylor,
Brian The Brain Mantia, and the fabulous Mark Ribot (who’s guitar
puts a scratch in every groove),the formula is perfect for another
spin of Waite’s twisted wheel. This is music that can be as
abrasive as anything from the most corrugated of garages, or as
pretty as an ash-burned madrigal. An eclectic pastiche of Waits’
desultory dissertations, put through the meat-grinder of
reuguvination (strewth). Nice to see someone who looked fifty at
twenty, sound as angry at fifty as a bloke who’s twenty. If you
liked Franks Wild Years, Bone Machine , and Mule
Variations, you’ll probably be rather happy; Just add some
gravel rash. If you liked his earlier , funny stuff, just relax and
lie on the rocks It’s good for you.
Garry Mansfield is from Readings Carlton
