The Criminal Under My Own Hat cover

The Criminal Under My Own Hat

T Bone Burnett · 1992

38 min · 12 tracks · rock music

A blend of roots rock and Americana, wrapped in T Bone Burnett's signature storytelling and eclectic instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Over You — Opening with a poignant reflection on loss, this track sets the tone for the album’s exploration of heartbreak and resilience.
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    Tear This Building Down — Combining upbeat rhythms with sharp social commentary, this song showcases Burnett's knack for blending personal and political themes.
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    I Can Explain Everything — This track stands out for its concise storytelling and emotional resonance, encapsulating the vulnerability that permeates the album.
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    Criminals — With its haunting melody and reflective lyrics, this song delves into morality and consequence, highlighting Burnett’s lyrical prowess.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • short bursts of narrative wit
  • playful storytelling with eclectic sounds
  • quick tracks for casual listening
  • upbeat reflections on life's quirks

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy immersive albums
  • want heavy, polished production

Where this album fits

Career context
The Criminal Under My Own Hat is T Bone Burnett's third studio album, released in 1992 during a period of artistic exploration following his successful work on soundtracks. This album came after the critically acclaimed 'Proof Through the Night' (1988) and showcased Burnett's evolving sound as he embraced a more personal and introspective approach to songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors
Daniel Lanois· Joe Henry· Leonard Cohen

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Over You 2:19
  • 2 Tear This Building Down 4:37
  • 3 It’s Not Too Late 4:26
  • 4 Humans From Earth 2:48
  • 5 Primitives 3:15
  • 6 Criminals 3:44
  • 7 Every Little Thing 2:53
  • 8 I Can Explain Everything 1:53
  • 9 Any Time at All 3:03
  • 10 I Can Explain Everything 3:19
  • 11 The Long Time Now 3:00
  • 12 Kill Switch 2:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata