Its few and far between to have an artist who is so unique that they will promise to give you a glimpse into their own world if your willing to go for the ride. His voice is so abnormally diverse that he can sound like a monster one minute, and the next reveal a smooth vintage texture that will cause you to actually smell the booze and cigarettes as if you were sitting in a jazz club right next to his piano. If someone were to list the names of all the musicians Tom Waits inspired, we would have a list that crossed planets. While many artists derive inflated egos after winning numerous awards, it almost seems as though nobody even told Waits he won anything. He remains one of the most grounded, creative, and intelligent musicians I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Not to mention, when he lands a role in a major movie such as “Bram Stokers Dracula” his wide open personality converts to the big screen just as well as it does on his records. It may take some getting used to upon first listen, but its without question worth it. If your interest is sparked, don’t stop with one song. They are all different, and his albums have a life and vision all their own.