People argue whether Tom Waits was at his best during the 1970's, with the softer and more melodic jazz and blues songs, or during the 1980's, with the rougher and more experimental songs. Personally I am really fond of his early music, and this album from 1973 is a real treasure. It has a high consistent quality throughout and includes some of Waits best songs. "I hope that I don't fall in love with you" is a masterpiece and worth the album alone. "Ol' '55", "Old Shoes", "Martha" are other excellent tracks, but I doubt you'll be disappointed by any song. I really recommend this album. If you like it you will probably like "The Heart of Saturday Night" from 1974 as well.

This is Tom Waits' first album, he was 24 when he wrote it and I am at a loss to come up with many other artists (Dylan?) who have expressed themselves with such a mature voice at such a young age.

The album is beautiful from start to finish. It is melodic - full of haunting strings and piano chords. It is sentimental without being saccharine - perhaps it is the smokey bourbon voice which does it.

Standouts for me are Ol'55, Martha ("I remember quiet evenings trembling close to you" - swoon, swoon!) and Grapefruit Moon.

The outstanding thing which he achieves though is putting together a collective of songs which are so evocative. Whilst Waits has stood the test of time and experimentation this is something which has stayed with him throughout his career and can be seen as much on his most recent offering, 'Real Gone' as it can be on this.

This is the best place to start if you plan to get into Tom Waits as it is his first and probably his most accessible. It leads you quite neatly to 1974's 'The Heart of Saturday Night' where his ability as a storyteller becomes more accomplished.

Listen to the lyrics, listen to the music, listen to it again and again. Tom Waits is an absolute genius.

Closing Time is not as dark or quirky as some of the later Tom Waits albums and is an excellent introduction if you are unfamiliar with his music. This album is a beautiful blend of blues and jazz with a hint of country for good measure all delivered by Toms’ wonderful smoky, gravelly voice. Although a lot more mellow than later offerings such as Rain Dogs and Swordfish, that indefinable uniqueness that is Tom Waits is still visible.
Particularly outstanding are the tracks ‘Midnight Lullaby’, ‘Martha’ and ‘Grapefruit Moon’ although there isn’t a single track on this CD that isn’t good on this near perfect album. This is one to put on when the lights are low and you just want to kick off your shoes and relax.

Tom Waitts - Old Gravel Voice :) I heard this album at a friends house one dark evening a good few years ago and was stunned by the emotion held in it's groove (yes it was on vinyl). It is simplicity itself but it can drag up feelings that you thought were gone for good, feelings of sadness and joy. It invokes memories of love lost, love found and love remembered. If you like your music moody and deep then this is for you.

I was gobsmacked to read one reviewer here saying they "can't see the attraction". This is one of my (and my wife's) most frequently played albums. This was our introduction to Tom Waits and though we have many other albums from across his varied repertoire, this is the one we enjoy most; some of the others impress, others interest, and others have their moments, but Closing Time will always be THE Waits album for me.

Hope this helps to introduce someone else to a huge talent.