Obligatory Villagers

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]

Obligatory Villagers
Studio album by Nellie McKay
Released	September 25, 2007
Recorded	2007
Genre	Jazz, pop, rock
Length	31:35 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)

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
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
Source	Rating
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