The True False Identity
T-Bone Burnett has been hard at it since his last record of original songs in 1992: nominated for a songwriting Oscar, winning a production Grammy, composing movie soundtracks, and serving as one of his trade's most valuable studio musicians. But with those most fascinated by his remarkable resume, it's all about the songwriting, and onThe True False Identity, Burnett substantiates his role as a composer and performer steeped in traditional American music. Backed by a scrupulous cast of players and drawing on his candidly innovative wordplay, Burnett not only has put the world on notice, he appears far from content with the outlook. "The cat's out of the bag/And it ain't going back," he pleads wearily over a machine-gun drum in "Fear Country," one of several tunes where Burnett enunciates more as dustbowl rapper than west coast songster. His relevant narrations include an undercurrent of religion in law ("Blinded by the Darkness"), the modification of history ("Every Time I Feel the Shift") and a cadenced appraisal of Frank Sinatra and his running buddies ("Palestine, Texas"). Teaming a Dylan-like poetry scheme with a searing guitar lead, "Palestine" begins as a mis chievous nursery rhyme, until Burnett aims his invective at the nation's leaders: "When you come out of this self-delusion/You're gonna need a soul transfusion." Listening toThe True False Identity, we've already got ours.--Scott HolterMore from T-Bone BurnettTwenty Twenty: The Essential T-Bone BurnettThe True False Identity(Dualdisc)O Brother, Where Art Thou?(Produced by T-Bone)Walk the Line(produced by T Bone)King of America, Elvis Costello (produced by T Bone)T Bone Burnett