Brute: Nine High a pallet

The first of Chesnutt's now many collaborative projects, Nine High A Pallet (1995) is an acidic, driving record, and the best of the two collaborations with members of jam-band cock-rockers Widespread Panic. The sound works well with Chesnutt's drawling, laconic stories, serving as a rocked up take on the early solo records (especially the genius piece on this record Protein Drink/Sewing Machine, which sports lovely lines like the ones that follow.)

 

Daddy is asleep. He's just home from work.
In his comfy chair and his yellowed undershirt.
Sister is sad, she just got the curse.
I am fairly happy cause my go-cart kind of works
I want to be a vampire for Halloween
Mama makes a cape on her sewing machine.

Good Morning Mr. Hard On is a light, charming ode to his boner Mary Poppins might have co-authored. Miserable and I Ain't Crazy Enough could have been on the Drunk album, but they gain something from the band. The looseness in the sound is that of a band who know the tunes; on Co-Balt, the late follow up, this is not the case. But let's be grateful for what we have received… Nine-High a Pallet serves as a nice detour during the first golden age of Mr. Chesnutt.

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Brute: Nine High a Pallet. Capricorn, 1995.
Review by jep, Bad MonkeyX, Sept 2004

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