Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Tom Waits Edition

In the '70s, Tom Waits was a troubadour whose gruff voice served songs that were steeped in traditional American music and often focused on the seedy side of life. Waits reinvented himself in the '80s, expanding his musical horizons by incorporating influences from Kurt Weill to Captain Beefheart. He may have alienated some fans, but he gained even more, pursuing an idiosyncratic path that still wasn't wholly removed from his core sensibility.

The result is a slew of memorable albums, mixed in with some pretty decent acting turns. Waits is underrated as a singer, as his limited voice is extremely expressive, and no matter how often he runs his songs through funhouse mirrors, he is a masterful songwriter who can spin the prettiest of melodies. Let's pay tribute to this American original by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.

1. Mano Negra -- Drives Me Crazy (Casa Babylon): A mid-tempo reggae strut from the original Rock en Espanol band. This is from their last album, when they really began using more electronics and production tricks, foreshadowing lead singer Mano Chao's solo career. Fun, but not their best.
2. Cafe Tacuba -- Como Te Extrano (Avalancha De Exitos): Wow, back-to-back Rock en Espanol legends. This is more of a loping ska tune with gentle vocals and a wistful melody. This band can be pretty explosive, but can just lay down a nice groove. I just learned they put out an album in 2012 and I need to pick it up.
3. Dumptruck -- Haunt (D Is For Dumptruck): While I prefer their second and third records over their rawer debut, the first Dumptruck record is still pretty good. Their '60s jangly folk-psych songs have a bit of a, dare I say it, haunting vibe. Moreover, the harmony lead vocals on this song work very well. Still, this band benefitted from fuller production on subsequent records, as it better fit their tunes.
4. The Fall -- No Xmas For John Quays (Live At The Witch Trials): Great early Fall track. This is just a rumbling rant of a tune, with the band furiously playing sludgy neo-rockabilly in a wobbly fashion, while Mark E. Smith pontificates in his thick Mancunian accent. This song is in a constant state of controlled abandon.
5. The Cardigans -- Erase/Rewind (Gran Turismo): A nice song somewhat in the vein of Saint Etienne, but with a more downcast edge. I thought The Cardigans use of keyboards and electronics went well with Nina Persson's voice and I wish they had done more material in this vein. This song effectively contrasts the electronics with an acoustic guitar, providing some nice contrasting textures.li>
6. Tonio K. -- One Big (Happy) Family (Amerika): A sloppy, sorta punky diatribe on the inability of people to get along. Tonio K. wasn't always subtle, but his enthusiasm and silly delivery kept him from being strident, and this is a fun rocker.
7. Advertising -- Jealously (Jingles): Twee pop band that was somewhat in the vein of 10CC or other arty pop bands that was a bit more concise, and thus packaged as a new wave. Their sole album didn't sell, but almost every track is a gem, as lead singer Tot Taylor had quite the way with a hook. Swell tune.
8. The Leftovers -- There's Nothing To Do (Inner City Sound): This is a fine, bashing punk tune from a 2 CD compilation tied to Inner City Sound, a seminal history of Australian punk and post-punk. I dig Oz punk.
9. Tom Robinson Band -- Sorry Mr. Harris (TRB 2): Todd Rundgren produced the second and final Tom Robinson Band album, and I think he did a great job subtly broadening TRB's sonic palette. This song has a bopping R & B rhythm, giving a jocular edge to Robinson's usual lacerating social commentary. I hadn't heard this track in ages and it makes me want to go back and listen to this vastly underrated album.
10. Radio Birdman -- Do The Pop (Radios Appear): Speaking of Australian punk, Radio Birdman is one of the giants of the original Oz punks. They had a strong dose of MC5 and Stooges, but this song melds their hard surf guitar vibe with more straightforward old rock 'n' roll, with a fun singalong chorus. Great tune.