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Posted:
Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:32 pm
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Brighter person
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
Posts: 131
Location: Philly
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Well since some of us have heard the album, let's review and discuss in this thread.
Let me start by saying that I can never hold out for album release dates. I'm usually way too excited. So, as usual, I took an early listen. However, I am so glad I did. This album is absolutely phenomenal. It's easy to say that a new album is an artist's "best yet", but I mean it when I say that I believe this is Nellie's BEST YET.
Song-by-song review:
MOTHER OF PEARL- Brilliant opener. This is the "feminists don't have a sense of humor" song. It's very jazzy and very funny. Love the male voices speaking in the background: "Boohoo!", "Lighten up ladies!", etc.
OVERSURE- Could very easily be an overture to a broadway show, as previewed during her solo shows. But this version, horns and all, is genius. "Maxine Shrek was a very lucky lady!"
GIN RUMMY- Jazzy, fun, cute, with some light rapping. "Say it again if you will!"
LIVIN'- Wow wow wow. Now we know why she was originally going to call the album "Buncha Shit". This 23-second song is hysterical. Sounds like a pirate jig on Disney steroids.
IDENTITY THEFT- I think this is the catchiest song on the album and would sound terrific on the radio. Has a calypso-ish feel to it.
GALLEON- Another great broadway-sounding tune about fighting in the mens' dressing room. Another catchy one!
POLITAN- Very soulful and jazzy. It's the slowest song on the album, but a nice change from the showtune sounds previously heard.
TESTIFY- Okay, this one is remarkable. It has a bit of a gospel feel to it, but sounds different than anything Nellie has done before. Love it.
ZOMBIE- RARRRRR RARRRR! |
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Posted:
Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:40 pm
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Respectable member of society
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 31
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a very strong record. After GAFM and PLH I admit I was a bit surprised to see the tracklist at first. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the album as a whole! There are a lot of moments that really tickled me pink. The track order was very interesting, on a whole I couldn't help but feel drawn to the album more as a whole sonically starting after Livin' with the first four tracks feeling more like filler on a larger album to me than anything. They are still great material, but in an album so short each track really has to deserve its spot and while Livin' is fun the first few times, I don't really see the point of having it here on the album....but then again, Nellie's music was always meant to "baffle and enrage" so baffle and enrage girl, I'm gunna buy 2!!!
Galleon is quite possibly one of the catchiest she had written and Testify is a nice turn for her in style.
In terms of content, this album feels like a nice mix between the fun moments on GAFM and the toned-down aspect of PLH. There seems to be a Broadway-influence, as some people have mentioned, I'm not sure how much I agree with that sonically, but certainly lyrically she has a couple times where she references productions, especially Galleon, and in Identity Theft (did I miss her giving someone a piece of mind, through her fist, XD?)
I would like to see her getting down again, ala Sari, The Big One. Nellie is f**king fierce when she raps yo. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:20 am
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Brighter person
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Holy crap this album is sooooooo good. Identity Theft is so far my favorite, with mother of pearl and oversure coming in 2nd and 3rd. |
_________________
"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
- Albert Einsten |
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Posted:
Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:28 pm
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Brighter person
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 173
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With the nature of the internet, the concept of release dates seem to become more and more pointless each year. Albums seem to come out when they're ready to come out. And even though a friend was able to provide my eager little ears with Nellie McKay's latest offering, I still plan to purchase a nice, shiny hardcopy when it plops into stores on September 25th. Hell, I'll buy two if it means giving me good karma.
It's been a little under a year since Pretty Little Head was released, which is one of the benefits of having PLH sit in limbo so long with Sony for almost two years. Like the first two albums, Obligatory Villagers continues her growth in what is perhaps her most progressive group of songs. However, unlike Get Away From Me, and Pretty Little Head, the new album is very short- just over 30 minutes. (GAFM and PLH both clocked in at around an hour). This new album is so brief, that it's only 10 minutes longer than her EP release for Rumor Has It. Complaining that an album is too short is a strange critique- on one hand, it means the music is very good, and I'd like to hear more...however, on the other hand it's a legitimate complaint that has to do with the overall 'quality' of the album.
Overall, I think this album takes the biggest jump for her. I remember listening to Get Away From Me, and being shocked because I had never heard anything like it. By contrast, Pretty Little Head seemed to give me nothing new at all- for me, the songs from PLH could live on GAFM and they'd work just fine. OV, on the other hand, seems to take a jump- her first since the debut album- and really gives me something to be excited about. By far, this is her most jazz-inspired record. But thats not to say there isn't a lot of that trademark Nellie McKay eclecticism. Within 9 songs she's still able to jump all over the place.
The album has a bit of a broadway musical feel- but not as cheesy. The emotions and story telling are excellent and there's even some 'epic' elements. I'm having a hard time telling if it's on purpose, but tracks 2, 3 and 4 all string together perfectly as one big piece.
1) Mother Of Pearl-
This tongue-in-cheek send up of feminists mocks men much in the same way I Want To Get Married did on GAFM. Every line is pretty much a punchline. Overall, it's a nice 'standalone' song to start off the album. A nice bouncy uke strums in the background along with the rants of random men. Lots of fun to sing along to.
2) Oversure-
The 'real' start of the album, you immediately enter the world of Obligatory Villagers. The full horn section makes you feel like you've just turned on some old late night TV show from the 60's. The song becomes a bit spastic after the opening, but it's still fun. A lot of the song smells of jazz and is a lot of fun to listen to. It's rare to hear a song of the genre in this pop music age.
3) Gin Rummy-
Starts off as a super-relaxed ditty....the lyrics speed up a little bit as you reach the chorus, but overall a really relaxed piece. There's a little bit of a 'Chicago' (the band) feel every now and then. Musically a very simple piece, lyrically not-so-much.
4) Livin'-
The last of the 'opening' songs (as I like to call them). This is just a giant, drunk irish singing song. Not much more to it. It's only 25 seconds long, so it's OK.
5) Identity Theft-
Tons of lyrics to follow in this one. A sort-of Caribbean feel, with the typical McKay twists. I think the chorus in the song is more interesting than the other elements.
6) Galleon-
A ridiculous amount of fun. This song is ALL over the place and is actually has some rock elements to it. Guitars provide most of the backing. There's a lot of energy during the whole thing and is just fun.
7) Pollitan-
A laid back piece. For some reason, I immediately associate this song with James Bond....dunno exactly why. It's very cool, though. A slight latino rhythm.
8) Testify-
Perhaps the most fun song. It goes all over the place and initially confused the hell out of me. I really don't know what else to say.
9) Zombiie- Not sure if this should be the song to close the album. When she performed it live, she had the backing track played on a computer while she sang and performed the zomie dance. In that setting, it's a ton of fun. As a regular song, it's not too bad, but I don't think it's strong enough to end the album. It doesn't leave the right taste in your mouth. Considering the vibe of Pollitan, I think Zombie would have worked better as the second-to-last with Testify being the last.
Overall a very strong album. |
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Posted:
Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:27 pm
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Brighter person
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Quote: |
2) Oversure-
The 'real' start of the album, you immediately enter the world of Obligatory Villagers. |
I thought that too, do you think "Oversure" may be a pun on the word "Overture" to tie in w/ the Broadway feel? |
_________________
"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
- Albert Einsten |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:21 am
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Brighter person
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 173
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| sean wrote: |
| do you think "Oversure" may be a pun on the word "Overture" to tie in w/ the Broadway feel? |
Oh, absolutely. I think she made that pretty clear when she first played it live a while back. |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:07 am
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Clonie
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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Oh man, I really don't want this to cause a fight.
But if this is a open, friendly site, I wanted to give my opinion.
Ummm, I have bought all her stuff, downloaded almost everything I couldn't buy, (off sites like this), read internet articles and magazine articles. Followed her career. Came to NY to see Three Penny. Seen her about 4 times.
Ok, Everyone know since Threepenny, she has a whole new set of friends - "theater people" - and I love theater people. I love broadway shows. These people are probably the people she has been looking for since childhood - open minded, talented, free spirited (not all of them obviously, but most) and very very happy with what they do.
It is totally evident on her new album….
Which sounds like a broadway show. Threepenny original case recording of her show was not released. I believe this is her version of that recording.
The backup singers, the overall sound is broadway. No doubt. Only on a few songs do we get Nellie alone, singing like she typically does.
And don't get me wrong, artist, singers have to change… evolve all the time. Its evolve or death. And she again, throws a curve ball. Lyrics are AS GOOD as all previous albums. BUT….
(inhale)
I think this is her worst effort to date. And I think it is because of the "broadway" influence.
#1, the album has no linear flow at all. I felt like it was 9 songs that were from 9 different albums.
#2, some of the songs are great. But the final album versions are no where near what her songs are live. Cheesy background vocals, sound effects.
#3, the back up band - jazzy and nice sounding as they are, sound like harry connick circa 1990s repeat
#4, (not a negative) gin rummy - wow, her voice is heavenly, and the only song that did not have the broadway influence. So much so, I feel it was supposed to be on the last album but wouldn’t fit.
#5, negative points for Galleon. The horrible 1980's guitar …... God that is awful. There is a reason that sound ended years ago. And the really bad back up voice. yuck
I guess I could go on.
I am going to buy this one. Listen every now and then. But I eagerly await the next album.
I won't talk bad about her, every artist has a bad album. Stones, Beatles, all had one bad album. Its impossible to make every album perfect.
Now it is out of her system! |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:45 pm
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Brighter person
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Quote: |
#1, the album has no linear flow at all. I felt like it was 9 songs that were from 9 different albums.
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I pretty much agree but I look at these songs in the context of her entire repertoire and I feel like they fit.
| Quote: |
| #5, negative points for Galleon. The horrible 1980's guitar …... God that is awful. There is a reason that sound ended years ago. And the really bad back up voice. yuck |
Boooo to you... Spencer Reed (the guitar player/person singing on the guitar solo) is the man! haha |
_________________
"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
- Albert Einsten |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:52 pm
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Brighter person
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 173
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| yo-yo-man wrote: |
| But if this is a open, friendly site, I wanted to give my opinion. |
Absolutely!
| Quote: |
| #1, the album has no linear flow at all. I felt like it was 9 songs that were from 9 different albums. |
I disagree. My first listen-through was without looking at track names, and I had a hard time hearing where some tracks ended and others began (numbers 2, 3 and 4 for example). But, I can understand where you're coming from.
| Quote: |
| #2, some of the songs are great. But the final album versions are no where near what her songs are live. Cheesy background vocals, sound effects. |
I just don't know- I find this to be the most 'classic' sounding of her albums....I noticed much fewer 'goofy' sounds and FX than on GAFM and PLH. This album, in many ways, sounded like it could have been produced 40 years ago without modern technology.
| Quote: |
| #3, the back up band - jazzy and nice sounding as they are, sound like harry connick circa 1990s repeat |
I've never heard any Harry Connick, so I can't say for sure- but I was very impressed with the overall performances of the band.
| Quote: |
| #4, (not a negative) gin rummy - wow, her voice is heavenly, and the only song that did not have the broadway influence. So much so, I feel it was supposed to be on the last album but wouldn’t fit. |
Yeah, her voice is beautiful here. Not my favorite song, but you can tell she's grown so much.
| Quote: |
| #5, negative points for Galleon. The horrible 1980's guitar …... God that is awful. There is a reason that sound ended years ago. And the really bad back up voice. yuck |
I can't quite reply to this comment because Galleon is the best song on the album 
| Quote: |
| every artist has a bad album. Stones, Beatles, all had one bad album. Its impossible to make every album perfect! |
I'm going to be interested to see how the mainstream reviewers treat this album...it's certainly very different, so I can absolutely see where you're coming from with your feelings about it. However, to be fair, you seem to be in the minority on the site here |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:06 pm
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Lighter person
Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 45
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In response to yo-yo man, particularly regarding the linear flow of the album - well, that was actually the criticism of her first two albums from non-fans, that they were all over the place musically and without any kind of flow, so if you liked her first two albums there really isn't anything to complain about with OV. In fact, I'd say that this is easily her most musically cohesive album yet, particularly in the first four songs.
I really love this album, and my only real beef with it is that there isn't enough piano - I can't get enough of Nellie's playing. But it doesn't fit in with the orchestral arrangements for these songs, and Nellie the producer is professional enough not to let Nellie the performer's ego get in the way of the overall product. She wasn't kidding at the Birchmere concert when she said she tried to put herself on the album as little as possible.
Finally, I guess my previous paragraph ties into answering the common complaint that Nellie's produced arrangements are inferior to her live "unplugged" piano performances. We can all argue one way or another for any particular song (I happen to prefer the live piano version of Politan to the CD version), but therein lies some of Nellie's genius. If the same song can be performed in a variety of arrangements and be pleasing to an audience, that is the mark of superior songwriting. It demonstrates the difference between a great recording and a great song. |
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Posted:
Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:47 am
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Lighter person
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 64
Location: Columbus, OH
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I am enamored with this album now that I've listened to it about ten times. This one really took some time to grow on me, but I realize that this had more to do with my disappointments regarding the album's length vs. musical quality. Have a few glasses of wine, turn off the lights, and throw all your expectations out the window. This is exceptional work.
I echo the sentiments about "Zombie" being a poor choice for the closing track. This song has been the most difficult one for me to connect to, and it just feels like filler after the grand climax of "Testify." I think this clearly should have been the album closer, which is my only real criticism.
My favorite album from last year was Joanna Newsom's "Ys." And I think "Obligatory Villagers" breaks new ground in a similar manner. Music aficionados rarely get a truly unique soundscape (Bjork's "Medulla" is one classic example). I think a lot of Nellie's fans are going to feel disoriented by this album simply because the evolution between GAFM and PLH was more of a step, while the evolution between PLH and OV is a running leap. We get the humorous and playful sides to Nellie with the greatest infusion of jazz to date.
Could I have listened to a few more tracks? You bet! The album seems to end right when it gets going, but that may be due to the eclectic second discs that we Nellie-philes have become accustomed to. It's probably a good thing that the album left me (and probably you) wanting more. I'm sure we won't have to wait that long for Nellie's next surprise. I hope it's even better than this one. |
_________________
You can preen and dream and scream and shout, but your life's affliction is the fiction of Faust. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:06 am
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Brighter person
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 196
Location: Here I wanna be a stranger
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Posted:
Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:08 am
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Brighter person
Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 197
Location: AZ
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OK so apparently some stores jump the gun...
After 6 listens... *sigh* here we go... I tried to let the album grow on me over the evening but it never managed to get beyond a somewhat irritating, rambunctious and schizophrenic free for all.
On an objective level the album sounds top notch in the musicianship department and Nellie is sounding pretty darn good throughout.
OV falls into her catalog appropriately and yet the album just doesn't have that bite and enjoyment as GAFM and PLH did for me.
Lyrically/thematically we are in familiar territory but I don't find myself finding it as clever as before.
Her general composition and loose structure is as rowdy and off the wall and fit for improvs as ever, which is both a good and a bad thing; good because it can be fun and light and bring something fresh, bad because it can get too loud, muddled and ultimately annoying.
There is some very richly constructed stuff here that make small pockets of this album enjoyable. These however are few and far between for me.
An opening there and a middle here turn and flip upside down to something else entirely or just from beginning to end, a song can be of little interest to me.
There is not one song on this album I like all the way through, which is really damn sad.
The best example of this is with the first 30 seconds of "Testify". If the whole song was stylistically like the opening... well it just might be her greatest song ever in my opinion, but once that bass and drum take over it just kills it for me; A funk orchestra I can't get funky with.
I applaud what she has done here in many ways, which could be seen as a grand experiment of a political jazz album with a showtunes edge. It is very much her; her style, her energy, which is unique but I am just not enthused with it here. There has yet to be a solid connection or reward for me. Repeat enjoyment has been far less then the first two.
So the question is Nellie McKay wearing thin on me?
Hardly, I can't dismiss a talent such as Nellie so easily.
My relationship with Obligatory Villagers is just quite, ironically, a schizophrenic one. |
_________________
amplifiers burst out the deal that I have made. |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:37 am
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Brighter person
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 173
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| hoobits wrote: |
OV falls into her catalog appropriately and yet the album just doesn't have that bite and enjoyment as GAFM and PLH did for me.
Lyrically/thematically we are in familiar territory but I don't find myself finding it as clever as before. |
What a great, well-written review!
Despite the fact that I very much disagree with how you feel, certain things you bring up rang true with me. There does seem to be a distinct lack of 'cleverness' that GAFM had. But I chalk that up to the anemic number of songs- I think percentage-wise, we're looking at the same amount of wit that PLH and GAFM had. |
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