Looking at ‘Nut’ on its own, it’s simply a very fine pop album. As part of a trilogy as outlined, it’s an ambitious project that stretches the listener and contains many thought-provoking delights.
Clever, quirky, challenging, and tender by turns, ‘Nut’ is also the standout album of the three, with some real standout tracks.
Opening with the declaratory blast of ‘Out of Touch’, and the head clearly overruling the heart:
I love being out of touch, so much,
When I know that I’m out of your clutches.
Taking control is the theme of the equally catchy, ‘I am the Pilot’. ‘Three’ is the pivotal track on the album, and indeed of the whole trilogy:
We can let go of control
Here I am at the beginning, and there I stand at the end,
As electricity dances, take chances, these days,
There’s always three responses, (however I fall),
My mind, my heart, my soul.
It’s a beautiful ballad with KT’s clear, warm vocals, setting the questions for the listener to ponder. ‘Private Eyes’ is a neat little pop gem, just waiting to be acknowledged as such.
‘Demigod’ is another quality song to be added to Tunstall’s cannon, although at times it sounds uncannily like Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime’. Adding a touch of the bizarre is the hidden track ‘Brain in a Jar’, which strangely conjured up images of the Steve Martin film, The Man with Two Brains, for me. ‘All the Time’ is as good a song, and as affecting a ballad as KT has produced. This far.
KT has always been able to transcend the boxes and musical categories critics have tried to put her in. Maybe just file this one, under quality.
There is much to commend this album, a real variety of styles and grooves, contemplative and thoughtful, infectious and endearing.
All in all, a really sweet ‘Nut’.