I've had a few days to digest the Tom Waits Orphans album, and I must say this is truly one of the buys of the year. Bottom of the World is my favorite @ the moment, but pound for pound, these represent the best 56 tracks I've heard in a long time. If you aren't familiar with Waits yet, I'd still say its worth it to get Beautiful Maladies first, as you'll want a frame of reference before getting into these. But good goddamn, its been a long time since I've felt like I got my money's worth to this degree on music. The bee's knees right there folks. I also have to take in a Grateful Dead show from 89 @ Alpine Valley my uncle burned for me...that's on the docket for the ride home (although, I've heard enough dead boots to know what I'm in for).