The Black Rider is Tom Waits' twelfth studio album, released in 1993. It is the soundtrack to a play of the same name, a collaboration with director Robert Wilson and writer William S. Burroughs. The album combines elements of cabaret, blues, and experimental music.
The album's sound is theatrical and dark, with songs narrating a macabre story about a pact with the devil. Notable songs include 'Lucky Day', 'The Black Rider', and 'November', capturing the surreal and grotesque atmosphere of the play.
The Black Rider is acclaimed for its originality and fusion of genres. Although not as well-known as other Waits albums, it is valued by fans and critics as a unique work demonstrating his artistic versatility.