Obligatory Villagers

Last updated

Obligatory Villagers
Obligatoryvillagers.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2007
Recorded2007
Genre Jazz, pop, rock
Length31:35
33:38 (with online bonus track)
Label Hungry Mouse/Vanguard Records
Producer Nellie McKay
Nellie McKay chronology
Pretty Little Head
(2006)
Obligatory Villagers
(2007)
Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day
(2009)

Obligatory Villagers is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Nellie McKay. It was released on September 25, 2007. Bob Dorough appears as a guest vocalist on several tracks. Many of the musicians on the album reside in the Pocono Mountains, particularly the Delaware Water Gap area. Nancy Reed, a voice teacher in Stroudsburg, sings with her on "Politan." Nellie McKay was Nancy Reed's first student. [1]

Contents

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Mother of Pearl" 
2."Oversure" 
3."Gin Rummy" 
4."Livin" 
5."Identity Theft" 
6."Galleon" 
7."Politan" 
8."Testify" 
9."Zombie" 
10."Doko Demo Doa" (Bonus Track in Japanese) 

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Robert Christgau (A-)
Pitchfork Media (6.9/10)
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg

Critical response to the album was generally positive. Pitchfork Media and AllMusic both commented that the album was "difficult to understand," though they also agreed that McKay is a talented songwriter and arranger. [2] [3]

Robert Christgau gave the album 3.5/5 stars. [4]

Charts

Chart (2007)Peak
position
Billboard Heatseekers30

References

  1. Gordon, William (August 14, 2015). "Nancy and Spencer Reed, jazz duo, play at Musikfest". The Morning Call .
  2. "Nellie McKay: Obligatory Villagers". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  3. Nellie McKay Obligatory Villagers Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved June 20, 2022
  4. "Robert Christgau: Nellie McKay: Obligatory Villagers". www.robertchristgau.com. Retrieved June 20, 2022.