Obligatory Villagers
Studio album by
Nellie McKay
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2007
Recorded2007
GenreJazz, pop, rock
Length31:35
33:38 (with online bonus track)
LabelHungry Mouse/Vanguard Records
ProducerNellie 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]

Track listing

  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
Robert Christgau(A-)
Pitchfork Media(6.9/10)
Rolling Stone

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 Heatseekers 30

References

  1. ^ Gordon, William (2015-08-14). "Nancy and Spencer Reed, jazz duo, play at Musikfest". The Morning Call.
  2. ^ "Nellie McKay: Obligatory Villagers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  3. ^ Nellie McKay Obligatory Villagers Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-06-20
  4. ^ "Robert Christgau: Nellie McKay: Obligatory Villagers". www.robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 2022-06-20.


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