Tom Waits
Nighthawkes at the Diner (1975)

review by: Alexander Washburn
Date: 3/29/01

I rediscovered this record when I reached the end of an emotional "cul de sac" one evening. Even though I wasn't getting lip from a double knit character, I did make it back to the apartment of an equally depressed woman, and she put on this record. I haven't heard Nighthawkes in years and I remember why I stopped listening to it – because I listened to it so many times.

It's drinking music straight up, with a side of pain and anguish thrown in for good measure. You normally wouldn't think of a diner menu as being entertaining but "eggs and sausage - a side of toast" sounds as thoughful and meaningful as anything Lennon ever wrote. "Warm beer, cold women" is another classic. When Waits says "it's time to get down to drinking, tell the band to play the blues" you should pour yourself another and lament, especially if you're a bachelor or a bowery bum. For the past month, I've been sleeping until the "crack of noon, midnight howling at the moon."

Break this CD out when you DON'T want to feel better. Have a pack of smokes ready and a full bottle of your favorite poison. Even though it was great discover the record again in the presence of someone else, it's best listened to alone, in the dark.