Tom Waits (photo by Anton Corbijn, 2004)

The Tweet last week from Tom Waits, rock hall-of-famer and longtime Sonoma County resident, sounded ominous.

On Aug. 23, it said, the legendary singer, songwriter and sometimes film actor would “set the rumors straight” about his newest music.

What he posted today on www.tomwaits.com turned out be a rather coy (but brilliantly satirical) early album promotion for “Bad As Me,” Waits’ first studio album of all new music in seven years. It’s due out in October, but you can pre-order it on his web site now.

A brief video shows Waits seated in a recording studio, hosting a “Private Listening Party,” when he’s interrupted by a phone call.

Then he hangs up, cuts the music and launches into a deadpan (but very possibly toungue-in-check) tirade about people who just can’t wait to “spoil the surprise.”

Enigmatic as ever, Waits leaves it to you to make of his message whatever you like, but the clip is definitely worth watching.

While you’re at it, you might also enjoy the Cookie Monster from “Sesame Street” performing Waits’ “God’s Away On Business”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5X4N2exOsU