While I am in the mode of making amends to female singers, I’d like to mention Nellie McKay’s latest effort, Obligatory Villagers. I was first introduced to Nellie by a friend of mine who introduced her to me as “the anti-Norah Jones”. While listening to her double cd debut, Get Away From Me (a play off Norah’s, Come Away With Me), I was pretty captivated.
Get Away From Me was followed by a dispute with her label, Columbia/Sony, over what the length of her next effort, Pretty Little Head, would be. The label wanted a scaled-down 48 minute version of the album, while she insisted on releasing a 23 track, 65 minute version. The dispute eventually ended with the 23 track version of the album coming out on a Columbia subsidiarity label. While I applauded her for sticking to her guns and artistic integrity, I also thought the album lacked focus and was, for all practical purposes, boring. When Obligatory Villagers was initially released in September I found no reason why I should pick it up, what the disappointment with her last album and all. Over time, though, I kept reading and hearing positive things, so I finally picked it up.
Really there isn’t anything I can say about the cd that hasn’t already been covered by pitchfork and others, so as far as a “review” goes. I will say that the cd can be a tough listen at first. It’s sort of a cabaret meets Broadway meets jazz meets pop type sound. Those that are willing to tough it out will be rewarded once they find the groove. The album is catchy as hell once you get past the fact that she does the exact opposite of what you feel like she should do 50% of the time. Give it a chance, you might be glad you did.
Nellie Mckay – Mother of Pearl
Nellie McKay – Identity Theft
Nellie McKay – Zombie
Nellie McKay’s Official Site, Nellie McKay on myspace, Buy Obligatory Villagers
Autopsy IV
Part time blogger. Full time hater.