Tom Waits

Allison Moorer, Phoebe Bridgers and more cover the music of Tom Waits in a new album. Frazer Harrison/Courtesy of the artist. hide caption

Andrew Hozier-Byrne joins NPR Music's Bob Boilen in the studio to discuss the music that informed his 2018 EP, Nina Cried Power. Mulography - Anthony Mulcahy hide caption

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen (left) and Robin Hilton, high on ice cream sandwiches, music. Brandi Fullwood/NPR hide caption

The music that makes one of us emotional doesn't always make sense to others. William Lovelace/Getty Images hide caption

Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon's most recent book, The Polish Boxer, mesmerized us. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left: Lisa Germano, Ra Ra Riot, Tom Waits, Keith Richards, Blaudzun. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Tom Waits.

Tom Waits.

The Songs That Scare

Tom Waits has just released his latest album, Bad As Me.

"Bad As Me" continues in Tom Waits' tradition of romanticizing figures on the fringes of society.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (top), Lisa Hannigan, James Blake, Jesse Sykes (middle row left to right), Neutral Milk Hotel (bottom). Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Tom Waits. Michael Kappler/AFP/Getty Images hide caption