Ear Time: Tom Waits (singer, songwriter)

Tom Waits

Tom Waits is a singer/songwriter, containing elements of blues-rock; jazz and most importantly beat poetry.  I would consider Tom Waits to be one of the best American lyricist in the 20^th century.  Personally, I think Tom Waits has one of the best and most verse discographies of music in the past 50 years.  Tom Waits' career dates back to the 70’s and is consistently engaging through to the early 2000’s.  Heartbreak and Vine is not only my favourite album by Tom Waits, but it also kicks off the start of a decade, with its release in 1980.  Additional standout albums from the ‘80s by Tom Waits are Swordfishtrombone (1983), and Frank’s Wild Years (1987).  Wait’s most critically acclaimed album Rain Dogs also came out in the ‘80s, 1985 to be exact. Similarly, Tom Waits’ immaculate catalogue is equally full of compassionate and masterful songwriting; albums such as Closing Time (1973), Heart of Saturday Night (1974), Small Change (1976), Foreign Affairs (1977) and Blue Valentine (1978).  And let’s not forget Tom Waits’ beautiful and often comical live album Nighthawks at the Diner in 1975.  Now it might seem that I’m just listing off nearly ever album in his discography, but there is reason to, Tom Waits is a brilliant artist, and yes I whole heartily recommend the aforementioned albums.  Not to be outdone, on the cusp of the 2000’s Tom Waits released Mule Variations, which, I sound like a broken record (hopefully not a broken Tom Waits record, that would be sad) when I say Mule Variations and his early 2000’s work: Blood Money and Alice are worth some ear time.  Tom Waits sound is soaked bourbon and surrounded in a think stench of cigarettes.  Waits' nearly cut-throat and brutally honest lyricism will crush any essence of innocence you have about the world.  Tom Waits’ songs are at times visceral and heart retching and at times, lighthearted and loving however all are wonderfully composed and embody poetic exactitude.  Honestly, you cannot go wrong with Tom Waits he is a living legend and one of my favourite artists of all time.

Ear Time: Iron Maiden (heavy metal, NWOBHM)

Iron Maiden

Let’s switch gears a bit and get into the early conception of metal music.  Nu-metal and metal-core are modern and cleanly produced sub-genres of metal, but for those who want to get to the roots of heavy metal, look no further than Iron Maiden.  Releasing seven albums in eight years across the 80’s Iron Maiden became a power house in metal music, and rightfully so.  A few standout albums, yes entire albums, are Number of the Beast (1982), Powerslave (1984), and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988).  Iron Maidens sound was pivotal during the new-wave-of-British-heavy-metal movement during the ‘80s.  Steve Harris is the prominent contributor when composing much of Iron Maiden’s early works.  The commanding vocals on songs such as Run To The Hills, Number of the Beast, and Children of the Damned are essential to Maiden’s sound and personally I feel they are the best, and without a doubt my favourite heavy metal act of this era.

Ear Time: The Cure (post-punk, gothic-rock)

The Cure

To kick it off, British post-punk, gothic rock band, The Cure.  Robert Smith is the front man of the band.  Their sound expands a spectrum of dark, gothic, disturbed lyricism on one end of the spectrum as well as a more caring and accessible sound on the other.  My personal favorite album of theirs is Disintegration which came out in 1989, Last Dance and Lovesong are stand out tracks for me.  Those more familiar with contemporary music may recognize Lovesong as an Adele cover.  Pornography was an album of theirs that came out in 1982, and while it wasn’t their first album to be released it is what that got me addicted to their post-punk/electronic sound.  Their sound on this album is reminiscent of what would later become a staple of Depeche Mode’s with their album Violator that came out in 1990.   Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is an example of the diversity Robert Smith has as a lyricist and the band compositionally.  This album came out in 1987 and features a much more accessible sound for The Cure.  I’m sure many have heard Just Like Heaven.  Fast forward to 2000, The Cure’s sound progressed to a slightly more rocky sound.  Their album Bloodflowers is worth a listen as the album kicks off with some very memorable songs.