Although written back in the early '70s, the play's theme about the illusionary qualities of fame within the context of a culture where someone is designated a celebrity for whom they are and not what they've done - think Paris Hilton - is still relevant today. However don't come to this CD looking for literal attacks on the cult of celebrity, Burnett is far more subtle than that. The music and the lyrics of each song combine to create almost abstract impressions expressing a mood or emotion that illustrates an aspect of the theme.
Musically the songs range everywhere from the twisted Rockabilly sound of the opening "Anything I Say Can And Will Be Used Against You" to a ballad like "Kill Zone." Each of the styles are deliberate choices on the part of Burnett as they generate the different moods and emotions that he wants us to realize accompany the rise and fall of today's instant celebrities. There's the greed and ambition of the person on the way to the top, the ruthlessness of those who are stars not wanting to surrender their position, and even the momentary doubts that they might have about the cost being paid to achieve their flickering fame.
Some of the songs defy definition in terms of popular music. "Telepresence" is a chilling combination of spoken word over a distant layer of muted, tortured, and distorted electric guitar sounds. Desolate and devoid of any human warmth it expresses the true emptiness that lies at the heart of trivial stardom. "It's the Jesus channel baby, make the metal scream, make the metal scream" Burnett intones, making sure we know that all those sacrifices that have been made for stardom haven't resulted in anything close to salvation.
As you can tell from those descriptions Tooth Of Crime is not an easy disc to listen to in terms of content. It presents a very bleak image of a society where people desire fame for the sake of fame. What's more it appears that those who achieve fame never get to enjoy it as they spend all of their time obsessing over how to hold on to it. Isolation seems to be the only reward for celebrity, as those around them are either potential usurpers of their position or only interested in them for what they are, not who they are as people.
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