...Tom Waits. doesn't really matter which era, but I've been asking pretty much everyone I've met, and only three people have even recognised the name, and only two out of those three have mentioned liking him. Doesn't really matter what era if you have a preference, but I'm a pretty big fan.

So if any of you on totse are fans, let me know.

i've listened to a lot of tom waits, but i honestly have barely scratched his discography.

it seems like he has a great album every few years. "Orphans" from 2006 was a pretty great summation of his career that i'd recommend to anyone curious about him.

I'm been a big fan ever since I saw Big Time on cable.
My favorite album is Rain Dogs.

I hear and see his name fucking everywhere. I still have no idea who he is though.

Only really listened to Mule Variations and Bone Machine, but both are very good.

Tom Waits is an alternative musician influenced by bluegrass, jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, and pretty much every other style of music. If you're looking for an interesting, different sound, you can't go wrong.

If you'd like to get into Waits the general consensus seems to be that Rain Dogs is the album to buy. I myself am a pretty big fan of Blue Valentines and Small Change. Those two are mostly jazz or blues though, whereas Rain Dogs showcases Waits' raw-er rougher, and more alternative style.

Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards pretty much covers everything though, so if you want a general once over of Waits' various stylings, I'd recommend that.

Mule Variations is probably the best album i've ever heard. "Whats he building?" is the only bad track on the list.

I love the guitar sound on Cold Water. The tone is just perfect.

Yes. I love Tom Waits. Up until recently I only had some of his older stuff, but I went out and got Rain Dogs and it's pretty rad. I like Real Gone and Swordfishtrombones as well. It's all pretty good.