Tom Waits is a polarizing artist to say the least.  For the better part of three decades he has prowled the gray area between the mainstream and the underground, and now at the age of 61, he offers up his 17th LP.  Waits' gravelly growl is certainly one of the most recognizable voices in the past half century, and it will either draw the listener in nice and close, or turn them off completely.  His more experimental releases like The Black Rider and Swordfishtrombones  haven’t helped to endear him to a wider audience, but Bad As Me  is an album that can definitely achieve that feat.

When I say this album has the wider appeal it’s not because he’s pandering to anyone.  As usual the weird factor has been turned up all the way, and Waits’ voice, which has aged like a fine wine, is as rough as ever.  Instead the allure of Bad As Me comes from the giddiness one can hear in his voice and the music throughout the album, especially on his cover of The Rolling Stones’ "Satisfied" and "Hell Broke Luce".

Waits gets a boost of support from all-stars like Keith Richards and Flea, as well as his longtime compatriot Marc Ribot and his wife/songwriting/production partner Kathleen Brennan.  The professionalism and skill possessed by this group give Bad As Me an undeniable energy.  The bluesy rattle of "Chicago", the demure "Face To the Highway" and the spasmodic title track all show that Waits is a man who enjoys his completely unchecked artistic freedom, and has honed his craft through years and years of practice.

Though his age and aesthetic might lead some to label him as irrelevant, Bad As Me  proves quite the contrary, that Waits is into his work more than ever, and his sound resonates as well today as it did when he broke onto the scene back in the early 70s.  It’s a record that will certainly reward his longtime fans, but just as importantly his vitality will attract many more to the flock.

Grade: B+

Tom Waits - Bad As Me by antirecords