Burnett has never been a recording artist per se, not that he hasn't had his share of solo records. What makes him so critical to roots music is his skill as a producer. His records, and those he has produced for other artists, are full of atmospheric backdrops so personal they could have been built by no one other than Brunett. And that's true here.

This collection of 10 very dark tunes is startling to hear, but not as enjoyable to listen to. An outgrowth of Burnett's collaboration with playwright Sam Shepard, “Tooth of the Crime” is as much a sonic experiment in production as it is a cohesive collection of songs.

The musical paintings are fascinating, but the songs themselves are too moody and too personal to really expand Burnett's audience beyond die-hard fans.

DOWNLOAD THIS: “Kill Zone”

– T. MICHAEL CROWELL