With anything Waits has done. His worst, which this isn't, is better than most other's best. Stripped down and basic for the most part which may be more beneficial to the end effect. More universally acceptable than his standard work I expect. It's interesting to hear the young Waits after all these years!
These are great songs - stripped down to guitar/piano and Tom's unmistakable voice...plus, the lyrics jump right out at you. Laidback, funny, and original despite the confines of traditional songwriting format...he's class!
After sampling a lot of Tom Waits via EMusic's snippets, I decided on these two albums. They are the most song-like, meaning not as bizarre (but still likable) as some of his later stuff. I have fallen in love with both and have since purchased "Closing Time" on CD. It's good, but I still like The Early Years better, if for no other reason than they were my first introduction to Waits, my first impression, and they are what hooked me in the first place. If you're coming to Waits as a first-timer, check 'em out.
The tracks on both "Early Years" albums are taken from demo tapes that Waits never intended to release. If you really want to hear these songs as they were meant to be heard, you need to get his first two official releases, "Closing Time" and "Heart of Saturday Night." Don't waste your time with these tracks.
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