For the uninitiated, the Tom Waits catalogue can seem rather daunting. Not only is Tom blessed with a sometimes challenging voice, but his albums have seen the legendary singer songwriter’s style change over time. His earliest albums present him as the ultimate bar room balladeer with a relatively clean voice; over the course of the 70s, his delivery becomes more ragged, more obtuse even, despite the core style of the music remaining the same. Into the 80s, Tom began to channel Kurt Weill and his music became more interesting, more rhythmic, a world away from the man who gave us ‘Ol’ 55’. By the end of the 90s and beyond, Waits almost sounded like a man working within a universe of his own: fans were as likely to hear him shouting his way through something in German to a musical backdrop deserving of a pirate shanty as they were to hear him storytelling at the piano.
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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #168
This time around at the Singles Bar, we bring you a couple of familiar names, but a whole world of brand new sounds from artists making their first appearance here, and in the case of a punk act, a plug for their very first studio recording! Among the eight picks, you’ll find an inspired cover tune, some great indie pop with a rootsier edge, and even an up and coming Irish act who appear to be in a bad mood… As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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Listen: Tom Waits issues spoken word performance ‘The Fly’
After a long period of radio silence, Tom Waits reappeared in July 2026 with ‘Boots On The Ground’, a track which, despite being a collaboration with Massive Attack, still retained some of the musical and tonal hallmarks of a later period Waits recording.
Listen: Tom Waits and Massive Attack share new recording ‘Boots On The Ground’
When you think of Tom Waits, the idea of collaboration is not usually something you’d consider a priority. He’s taken a co-credit with others in the past, of course – most notably with Crystal Gayle on the ‘One For The Vine’ soundtrack – but you’re more likely to find Tom taking the reins and marching to the beat of his own very distinctive drum. However, ‘Boots On The Ground’ finds him joining the legendary Massive Attack for an oppressive and beat-laden recording that really works.
Listen: Laptop receive a ‘Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis’ on new cover tune
During the last quarter of 2025, alternative band Laptop released a couple of really interesting singles. Taking the energies of OK-Go, a huge influence from new wave and the quirky, melodic charm of Beck, their best work has managed to catch the ear of many a music fan immersed in cult sounds.