| Obligatory Villagers | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Nellie McKay |
| Cover: | Obligatoryvillagers.jpg |
| 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 |
| Prev Title: | Pretty Little Head |
| Prev Year: | 2006 |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Next Title: | Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day |
| Next Year: | 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]
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]
Robert Christgau gave the album 3.5/5 stars.[3]