Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Bottom of the World — This track captures Waits' signature storytelling style, painting a vivid picture of desolation through haunting melodies and evocative lyrics.
-
→
Fish in the Jailhouse — The energetic rhythm and playful lyrics showcase Waits' ability to blend humor with darker themes, making it a standout track within the collection.
-
→
You Can Never Hold Back Spring — This song’s poignant reflection on resilience and hope highlights Waits' lyrical depth and emotional resonance, embodying the spirit of the album.
-
→
Long Way Home — With its nostalgic undertones, this track exemplifies Waits' knack for blending melody with poignant lyrics that speak to life's journey.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's eclectic mix and unconventional structures create a distinctive sound that rewards repeated listens.
What we noticed
- Many songs incorporate unconventional structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and varied instrumentation, which challenge traditional song forms.
- The sequencing includes several interludes and spoken word pieces that break up the more conventional song formats, adding to its eclectic nature.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- sprawling narrative explorations
- raw storytelling with grit
- dynamic journey of emotions
- wave-like pacing surprises
- late-night introspective listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, catchy tracks
- seek polished production values
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A sprawling collection showcasing Waits' eclectic style, yet not a primary entry point.
- Moods
- Introspective· Energetic
- Career context
- By the release of 'Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards' in 2006, Tom Waits was already an established artist with a career spanning over three decades. This album serves as a compilation of unreleased tracks, outtakes, and rarities from his past work, showcasing his evolution from the barroom balladeer of the '70s to an avant-garde storyteller steeped in rich musical textures.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Nick Cave· Captain Beefheart
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Road to Peace
The narrator shifts from personal lamentation to broader societal observations about conflict and resolution.
This transition broadens the thematic scope of the song, suggesting that personal struggles are intricately linked to larger world issues.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Lie to Me 2:10
- 2 LowDown 4:15
- 3 2:19 5:02
- 4 Fish in the Jailhouse 4:22
- 5 Bottom of the World 5:42
- 6 Lucinda 4:52
- 7 Ain’t Goin’ Down to the Well 2:28
- 8 Lord I’ve Been Changed 2:28
- 9 Puttin’ On the Dog 3:39
- 10 Road to Peace 7:17
- 11 All the Time 4:33
- 12 The Return of Jackie and Judy 3:28
- 13 Walk Away 2:43
- 14 Sea of Love 3:43
- 15 Buzz Fledderjohn 4:12
- 16 Rains on Me 3:20
Disc 2
- 1 Bend Down the Branches 1:06
- 2 You Can Never Hold Back Spring 2:26
- 3 Long Way Home 3:10
- 4 Widow’s Grove 4:58
- 5 Little Drop of Poison 3:09
- 6 Shiny Things 2:20
- 7 World Keeps Turning 4:16
- 8 Tell It to Me 3:08
- 9 Never Let Go 3:13
- 10 Fannin Street 5:01
- 11 Little Man 4:33
- 12 It’s Over 4:40
- 13 If I Have to Go 2:15
- 14 Goodnight Irene 4:47
- 15 The Fall of Troy 3:00
- 16 Take Care of All My Children 2:31
- 17 Down There by the Train 5:38
- 18 Danny Says 3:05
- 19 Jayne’s Blue Wish 2:29
- 20 Young at Heart 3:41
Disc 3
- 1 What Keeps Mankind Alive 2:09
- 2 Children’s Story 1:42
- 3 Heigh Ho 3:32
- 4 Army Ants 3:25
- 5 Books of Moses 2:49
- 6 Bone Chain 1:03
- 7 Two Sisters 4:55
- 8 First Kiss 2:40
- 9 Dog Door 2:43
- 10 Redrum 1:12
- 11 Nirvana 2:12
- 12 Home I’ll Never Be 2:28
- 13 Poor Little Lamb 1:43
- 14 Altar Boy 2:48
- 15 The Pontiac 1:54
- 16 Spidey’s Wild Ride 2:03
- 17 King Kong 5:29
- 18 On the Road 4:14
- 19 Dog Treat 2:56
- 20 Missing My Son 3:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.