Top tracks — play these first
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16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six — The opening track's vivid storytelling and percussive instrumentation set a darkly whimsical tone for the entire album, encapsulating Waits' unique lyrical style.
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Way Down in the Hole — This track combines gospel influences with a raw energy that showcases Waits' ability to blend genres while addressing themes of despair and resilience.
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Cold Cold Ground — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, this song exemplifies Waits' knack for evoking deep emotions through stark imagery and atmospheric instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends blues and jazz with experimental sounds, showcasing Waits' unique compositional style and strong arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features a prominent brass section, setting a lively tone before shifting to more subdued pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as found sounds and percussive elements, creating an experimental atmosphere.
- The sequencing alternates between faster-paced songs and slower ballads, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and flow
- theatrical storytelling experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a shift to avant-garde sound, diverging from his earlier styles.
- Career context
- By the time Tom Waits released 'Big Time' in 1988, he was transitioning from his earlier barroom ballad style to a more avant-garde approach, following the acclaimed 'Rain Dogs' in 1985. This album functions as a companion piece to his theatrical work, showcasing his evolution as both a musician and storyteller.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Nick Cave· Captain Beefheart
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six 4:17
- 2 Red Shoes 4:19
- 3 Underground 2:35
- 4 Cold Cold Ground 3:27
- 5 Straight to the Top 2:48
- 6 Yesterday Is Here 2:42
- 7 Way Down in the Hole 4:43
- 8 Falling Down 4:15
- 9 Strange Weather 3:35
- 10 Big Black Mariah 2:59
- 11 Rain Dogs 3:36
- 12 Train Song 4:30
- 13 Johnsburg, Illinois 1:30
- 14 Ruby's Arms 4:54
- 15 Telephone Call From Istanbul 4:18
- 16 Clap Hands 4:57
- 17 Gun Street Girl 4:01
- 18 Time 4:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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