Tooth of Crime
T Bone Burnett · 2008
39 min · 10 tracks · rock music
A gritty blend of rock and theatrical storytelling, echoing the desperation of urban life and personal conflict.
Top tracks — play these first
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Anything I Say Can and Will Be Used Against You — This opening track sets the tone with its urgent rhythm and biting lyrics, establishing the album's theme of accountability in a chaotic world.
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The Rat Age — With its haunting instrumentation, this track explores themes of decay and survival, encapsulating the album's exploration of societal collapse.
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Here Come the Philistines — This song combines sharp commentary with a catchy melody, representing Burnett's ability to critique culture while still engaging listeners musically.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty storytelling through vivid imagery
- moments of raw emotional intensity
- short tracks for quick engagement
- urban themes with a theatrical
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished, radio-friendly sounds
- seek long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time T Bone Burnett released Tooth of Crime in 2008, he had already established himself as a prominent figure in Americana and roots rock. This album followed his critically acclaimed work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack and showcased his continued evolution as a songwriter and producer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Daniel Lanois· Joe Henry· Leonard Cohen
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Dope Island
The narrative shifts from a personal reflection to a broader commentary on addiction and escapism in modern society.
This transition deepens the song's impact by juxtaposing individual experience with collective issues, highlighting the pervasive nature of addiction.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Anything I Say Can and Will Be Used Against You 4:02
- 2 Dope Island 4:16
- 3 The Slowdown 4:43
- 4 Blind Man 1:22
- 5 Kill Zone 4:19
- 6 The Rat Age 5:30
- 7 Swizzle Stick 5:10
- 8 Telepresence (Make the Metal Scream) 3:05
- 9 Here Come the Philistines 3:33
- 10 Sweet Lullaby 3:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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