From Jeffrey Butzer: One of my favorite things to see an artist do is subvert expectations. In 2004 Waits was coming off of the heels of two highly conceptual and theatrical masterpieces (Blood Money and Alice) full of lush and strange instrumentation. Real Gone reminds us what a great songwriter and producer he actually is. It is stacked with some of his best lyrics and songs in his catalog without using a calliope, field organ or even a good old fashioned piano! Sure, the usual Tom tropes are there. What would a Waits record be without mentioning a body of water, a city and a guy with a funny name? (see: Piggy Knowles, Dutch Pink). 

By far the shining star on this record is Marc Ribot. His solos and tone are in top form here. 

I noticed Waits’ music when I heard Rain Dogs and Blue Valentine, I asked it to go steady after I bought Bone Machine and Black Rider. Fell in love when I heard Alice. Real Gone is us at 70, sitting on a porch holding hands.