Mule Variations (Remastered)

Tom Waits grew steadily less prolific after redefining himself as a junkyard noise poet with Swordfishtrombones, but the five-year wait between The Black Rider and 1999's Mule Variations was the longest yet. Given the fact that Waits decided to abandon major labels for the California indie Epitaph, Mule Variations would seem like a golden opportunity to redefine himself and begin a new phase of his career. However, it plays like a revue of highlights from every album he's made since Swordfishtrombones. Of course, that's hardly a criticism; the album uses the ragged cacophony of Bone Machine as a starting point, and proceeds to bring in the songwriterly aspects of Rain Dogs, along with its affection for backstreet and backwoods blues, plus a hint of the beatnik qualities of Swordfish.

1 Big In Japan
2 Lowside Of The Road
3 Hold On
4 Get Behind The Mule
5 House Where Nobody Lives
6 Cold Water
7 Pony
8 What's He Building?
9 Black Market Baby
10 Eyeball Kid
11 Picture In A Frame
12 Chocolate Jesus
13 Georgia Lee
14 Filipino Box Spring Hog
15 Take It With Me
16 Come On Up To The House