A world away from Tom Waits' later, more avant-garde efforts, his 1974 album finds him crooning downright melodically in relatively clear tones over stripped-down jazz/blues arrangements. It's fascinating (and often touching) to hear him in this youthful stage of development. Waits' love of beat poetry comes through in the dizzying imagery of the spoken-word piece "Diamonds on My Windshield.” But for the most part, The Heart of Saturday Night is full of straightforward love songs, like the tender ballads "San Diego Serenade" and the title track.