T Bone Burnett: ‘Tooth Of Crime’

‘Tooth Of Crime’ is the second release from Burnett in as many years, after a 15 year sabbatical from recording. However, he is best known as the producer of landmark albums that include the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack and the wonderful 'Raising Sands', the recent collaboration between Alison Krauss and Robert Plant.

The songs on 'Tooth Of Crime' were originally composed over a decade ago for the musical reinterpretation of Sam Shepard’s play, The Tooth Of Crime. The genesis of these songs is evident in the lyrics, which are densely packed, richly expressive narratives of darkness and anger. Musically, the album is a slightly jarring mixture of menacing and brooding jazz horns, accompanied by Tom Waits-like ragged guitar riffs and sultry, melodic orchestral and lap-steel numbers.

'The Rat Age' is abrasive and almost melody-free, building to a cacophonous shriek of horns over which Burnett intones a half-spoken vocal. 'Swizzle Stick' is more a bluesy groove than a song, whilst 'Here Come The Philistines' is an industrial drone. However, 'Dope Island' is a hauntingly pretty duet with Sam Philips, whilst 'Kill Zone' is a beautifully woozy ballad, with a vocal strangely reminiscent of Paul McCartney.

Ultimately, ‘Tooth Of Crime’ sounds like what it is: a bold artistic experiment rather than a fully formed, coherent album.

Released on 5th May 2008 by Nonesuch Records.

Written by Sam Monk.